What to Do If You Get a Flat Tyre at Home (or Anywhere)

Getting a flat tyre is stressful, but knowing what to do makes the difference between a minor inconvenience and a much bigger problem. The short answer: don't drive on it, move to safety if you're on the road, and call a mobile tyre fitter to come to you. Here's the full breakdown.

Step 1: Do not drive on a flat tyre

Driving on a flat tyre — even for a short distance — can destroy the tyre completely, damage your alloy wheel, and compromise steering control. If you feel the tell-tale thud and the car pulls to one side, reduce speed gradually, avoid braking sharply, and move off the road as soon as it's safe to do so.

Step 2: Move to safety

If you're on a motorway, get onto the hard shoulder and exit through the passenger door, staying behind the barrier. Activate hazard lights immediately. On a normal road, pull into a car park, side street, or lay-by. On your own driveway or in a car park, you're already in the safest position — simply leave the car where it is.

Step 3: Assess your options

You have three options depending on your vehicle and confidence level:

• Change the tyre yourself — only possible if your car has a full-size or space-saver spare, and you're confident doing it safely. Note that space-saver spares must not exceed 50mph and are for temporary use only.
• Use a tyre sealant kit — many newer cars come with a foam sealant/inflator kit instead of a spare. These work for small tread punctures only and are not suitable for sidewall damage or large blowouts.
• Call a mobile tyre fitter — the simplest option. A technician comes to your location, assesses the tyre, and either repairs or replaces it on the spot. No need to change anything yourself or tow the car.

What to do if you have a flat tyre at home

If you discover a flat on your own driveway, you're in the best possible situation. Leave the car where it is and call us for a puncture repair or replacement. We come to you — most jobs are completed in under 30 minutes.

What if the flat is on the motorway?

Stay calm. Pull onto the hard shoulder if at all possible, switch on hazard lights, and exit the car via the passenger door. Move well behind the barrier and call for assistance from there. Do not attempt to change a tyre on the motorway hard shoulder — it is one of the most dangerous places to work near moving traffic. Our motorway callout service dispatches a fully equipped technician to you.

What if you don't have a spare?

Most modern cars no longer include a full-size spare — they come with either a space-saver spare, a sealant kit, or nothing at all. If you have no spare and your sealant kit won't work (sidewall damage, large puncture), a mobile tyre fitter is your only option short of a tow truck.

Can I drive to the nearest garage on a flat tyre?

No. Even a short distance on a completely flat tyre will damage or destroy the wheel rim and tyre casing, turning a £40 repair into a £200+ replacement. The only exception is a run-flat tyre, which is designed to be driven on at up to 50mph for up to 50 miles after losing pressure — but only if you can confirm that's what you have.