What to Do If You Get a Flat Tyre at Home or Work

The Safest First Steps

If you find a flat tyre before setting off, leave the vehicle where it is unless it is causing an immediate obstruction or safety problem.

Your first steps should be:

• Switch off the engine and apply the handbrake.
• Check that the vehicle is parked on firm, level ground.
• Look at the tyre without placing your hands underneath the vehicle.
• Check for visible nails, screws, cuts, bulges or wheel damage.
• Do not remove anything embedded in the tread.
• Avoid driving until the tyre has been assessed or replaced.

Driving even a short distance on a flat tyre can damage its sidewall and internal structure. A puncture that might initially have been repairable can become unsafe to repair once the tyre has been driven while severely underinflated.

Can You Drive on a Flat Tyre?

You should not drive on a flat tyre unless the vehicle manufacturer has fitted approved run-flat tyres and the conditions for continued use are met.

A conventional tyre relies on air pressure to support the vehicle. When that pressure is lost, the sidewall becomes trapped between the wheel and the road.

Continuing to drive can:

• Damage the tyre beyond repair
• Bend or crack the wheel
• Reduce steering control
• Affect braking and stability
• Increase the risk of complete tyre failure
• Cause further damage to nearby vehicle components

Check Your Spare Wheel Before You Need It

Many modern vehicles no longer come with a full-size spare wheel. Depending on the model, your vehicle may have:

• A full-size spare tyre
• A temporary space-saver wheel
• A tyre sealant and compressor kit
• Run-flat tyres
• No emergency tyre equipment

A space-saver wheel is intended for temporary use and will normally have restrictions on speed and distance. Check the information printed on the wheel and follow the instructions in the vehicle handbook.

Before fitting any spare wheel, check that:

• It is properly inflated
• Its tread and sidewall are in good condition
• It is suitable for the vehicle
• You understand any speed restrictions
• The vehicle is parked somewhere safe and level

Should You Use Tyre Sealant?

Tyre sealant can provide temporary assistance in some situations, but it is not suitable for every type of damage.

A sealant kit may help when there is a small puncture in the main tread area. It is unlikely to work when:

• The sidewall is damaged
• The tyre has come away from the wheel
• The wheel itself is cracked or bent
• The puncture is too large
• The tyre has been driven while flat
• There are several damaged areas

Sealant is not a permanent puncture repair. After using it, follow the speed and distance limits supplied with the kit and arrange a professional inspection as soon as possible.

Leave Nails & Screws in Place

If you can see a nail or screw embedded in the tyre, do not pull it out.

The object may be restricting the rate at which air escapes. Removing it can turn a slow puncture into a rapid loss of pressure.

Avoid applying adhesive, plugs or other improvised repairs to the outside of the tyre. A proper inspection requires the tyre to be removed from the wheel so its internal condition can be checked.

Our puncture repair service assesses whether the damage is within a repairable area and whether the tyre remains structurally safe.

What to Do If the Flat Tyre Is at Home

A flat tyre at home is inconvenient, but it is usually safer than discovering the problem while driving.

Keep the vehicle parked and consider the following:

• Is there enough room for a technician to access the damaged wheel?
• Is the vehicle parked on a firm, level surface?
• Do you know the tyre size or vehicle registration?
• Is the tyre completely flat or only low on pressure?
• Can you see any obvious damage?
• Do you need the vehicle for a time-sensitive journey?

Having your registration number ready can help the tyre fitter identify suitable replacement options. The tyre size is printed on the sidewall, but you should not move or lift the vehicle simply to read it.

You can also search and order replacement tyres by registration or tyre size before arranging fitting.

What to Do If the Flat Tyre Is at Work

If the vehicle is parked at work, tell the site manager, reception team or security staff that a tyre fitter may need access to the car park.

Before booking, check:

• Whether external contractors can enter the site
• Whether there are height or security restrictions
• Whether the vehicle is in an accessible parking space
• Whether the keys will be available
• Whether the work must be completed within certain hours

A mobile tyre appointment can often be completed while you continue working, but the technician will need safe access around the vehicle.

Can the Tyre Be Repaired?

A flat tyre does not always need replacing.

A repair may be possible when:

• The puncture is within the permitted central tread area
• The damage is small enough for an approved repair
• The tyre has not been driven while flat
• The sidewall and shoulder are undamaged
• The internal structure remains sound
• The tread is legal and otherwise serviceable

Replacement is more likely when:

• The sidewall or shoulder is punctured
• There is a bulge, split or deep cut
• Internal cords are damaged
• The tyre has been driven while deflated
• The tread is below the legal minimum
• The tyre has suffered severe impact damage
• The wheel has damaged the inside of the tyre

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When a tyre goes flat, rushing can create additional problems.

Avoid these common mistakes:

• Driving to a garage on the flat tyre
• Removing an embedded nail or screw
• Using a damaged or underinflated spare wheel
• Jacking the vehicle on soft or sloping ground
• Crawling underneath a vehicle supported by a jack
• Assuming a sealant repair is permanent
• Ignoring repeated pressure loss
• Continuing to drive with a warning light illuminated
• Buying a replacement tyre without checking the correct size and specification

Reducing the Risk of Future Flat Tyres

Not every puncture is preventable, but regular checks can reduce the likelihood of tyre-related problems.

Check your tyres at least monthly and before long journeys. Look at:

• Tyre pressure
• Tread depth
• Sidewall condition
• Uneven wear
• Cracking or bulges
• Valve condition
• Embedded objects

Use the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer rather than the maximum figure shown on the tyre sidewall. The correct settings are usually listed in the handbook, inside the driver’s door opening or behind the fuel filler flap.

The UK Government provides further guidance on checking that your vehicle is safe to drive, including tyre condition and legal tread requirements. TyreSafe also offers independent tyre safety advice for motorists.