← All tyre advice

Flat tyre at the roadside? The safest first steps

What to do immediately, when not to attempt a repair and which details to give a mobile fitter.

Best Mobile Tyres service van attending a rural roadside location
Mobile coverage across the West Midlands and surrounding areas.

Stop somewhere safe

Reduce speed smoothly, avoid sudden steering or braking and move away from live traffic if the vehicle can be controlled safely. Switch on hazard lights. On a motorway or fast road, follow official roadside-safety guidance and do not attempt to change or repair a tyre in an exposed traffic lane.

Do not keep driving on a standard flat tyre

Driving on a deflated conventional tyre can damage the sidewall and may also damage the wheel. A puncture that might originally have been repairable can become a compulsory replacement after being driven flat. Run-flat tyres are different, but their permitted speed and distance depend on the tyre and vehicle instructions.

Make the call-out easier

Share your precise location, tyre size and whether the vehicle is blocking traffic. Tell the fitter about locking wheel nuts, visible wheel damage or tyre sealant already used. A photograph of the tyre and the surrounding location can help the team prepare safely.

  • Stay away from moving traffic
  • Keep passengers in a safe place
  • Do not crawl underneath or work beside an exposed vehicle
  • Use a temporary sealant only as directed and seek professional assessment

This guide is general information, not a remote tyre inspection. If the vehicle or location is unsafe, stop driving and seek appropriate professional assistance.

Continue readingHow to read your tyre size in under a minute
Call nowWhatsApp