Key takeaways
- Do not brake hard or swerve — ease off the accelerator, hold the wheel firmly and slow down gradually.
- Pull over somewhere flat, firm and as far from traffic as possible, put your hazards on and get well away from passing vehicles.
- On a motorway hard shoulder, get out the left-hand side and behind the barrier, and call for help rather than attempting a change.
- Do not drive on a fully flat tyre any further than absolutely necessary — it destroys the tyre and can damage the wheel.
A flat tyre can happen anywhere — a slow leak overnight on the drive, or a sudden deflation on a busy road. The difference between a minor delay and a dangerous situation is knowing what to do in the moment. This guide walks through the safe steps in order, what to avoid, and how to get back on the road quickly, whether you change it yourself or call for help.
What should you do the moment you get a flat tyre?
Stay calm and do not brake hard or swerve, which can cause a skid. Ease off the accelerator, grip the wheel firmly with both hands, and let the car slow gradually while you steer smoothly towards a safe place to stop. A sudden deflation pulls the car to one side, so be ready to correct gently.
Indicate early and look for somewhere flat, firm and well clear of moving traffic — a driveway, car park, lay-by or wide verge. Avoid stopping on a bend, a soft grass verge that could collapse a jack, or anywhere you would be working close to passing cars.
How to stop and make yourself safe
Once stopped, make yourself visible and protected before doing anything else. Switch on your hazard lights, apply the handbrake, and if you carry a warning triangle place it well behind the car on ordinary roads (never on a motorway). Get any passengers out and well away from the road on the safe side.
- Turn the wheels away from traffic and put the car in gear or Park.
- Put on a hi-vis vest if you have one before getting out.
- Keep yourself and passengers behind a barrier or on the verge, away from passing vehicles.
- Assess whether it is safe to change the wheel here at all — if in doubt, call for help.
What to do on a motorway
On a motorway, do not attempt to change a tyre yourself. The Highway Code advises that if you have a problem, you should pull onto the hard shoulder (or the nearest emergency refuge area on a smart motorway), stop as far left as possible, and get out of the left-hand doors and behind the safety barrier — then call for help.
Standing beside a car on a live motorway to change a wheel is extremely dangerous. Use the emergency phones or call for assistance. If you cannot reach the hard shoulder or a refuge, keep your seatbelt on, switch on hazards and call 999. See our guide to whether it is safe to drive on a flat tyre before you decide to limp anywhere.
Should you change it yourself or call for help?
Change it yourself only if you have a usable spare, the tools, the know-how and a genuinely safe, flat place away from traffic. If any of those are missing — no spare, a busy roadside, poor light, or you are unsure — calling for help is the safer choice. There is no prize for risking your safety on a verge.
| Situation | Best option |
|---|---|
| Spare + safe spot + confident | Change it yourself |
| No spare or only a repair kit | Repair kit (small punctures) or call out |
| Motorway or busy roadside | Get to safety and call for help |
| Dark, bad weather or unsure | Call a mobile fitter or breakdown service |
If you do have a spare and want to do it properly, follow our step-by-step on how to change a tyre safely.
What not to do with a flat tyre
A few mistakes turn a simple flat into an expensive or dangerous one. Avoid these whatever the situation:
- Do not keep driving on a fully flat tyre — you will ruin the tyre and may damage the wheel and suspension.
- Do not brake hard or swerve when the deflation happens.
- Do not jack up the car on a slope, soft ground or a hard shoulder.
- Do not ignore a slow puncture and keep topping it up — get it checked, as it could fail suddenly.
Getting back on the road
If you have no spare, an unsafe spot, or just want it sorted properly, a mobile service is the simplest fix. Our emergency callout team comes to your roadside, home or work across London and central England 24/7, usually within 30–60 minutes, to repair or replace the tyre on the spot. Call Fast Tyre on 07717 389637 and stay safely away from traffic while you wait.
Frequently asked questions
Only the absolute minimum needed to reach a safe place off the road, and slowly. Driving any real distance on a flat tyre destroys it and can damage the wheel, brakes and suspension, costing far more than a tyre. If you have stopped safely, leave it there and call for help.
A slow puncture leaks gradually, so you might notice soft handling or a pressure warning over days. A blowout is sudden, often with a loud bang and an immediate pull to one side. Both need the same calm response: ease off, steer smoothly and slow down before pulling over.
Many newer cars carry a sealant repair kit instead of a spare, which can fix small tread punctures temporarily. If the damage is too big, the tyre is shredded, or you have no kit, the safest option is to stop in a safe place and call a mobile fitter or breakdown service.
No. The Highway Code advises against changing a wheel on a motorway hard shoulder because of the danger from passing traffic. Get everyone out of the left-hand side and behind the barrier, then call for help. The same caution applies to any fast, busy road with no safe space.
It depends on location and traffic, but a local mobile service can often reach you within 30 to 60 minutes. Fast Tyre operates 24/7 across London and central England, coming to your roadside, home or workplace to repair or replace the tyre on the spot.