A flat tyre is one of the most common roadside incidents in the UK, and the way it is handled determines both safety and cost. The following guidance sets out the correct sequence of actions.
1. Reach safety first
Ease off the accelerator, avoid heavy braking, and steer gently to a safe location clear of the carriageway. On a motorway, move onto the hard shoulder as far left as possible, activate the hazard lights and, where it is safe to do so, leave the vehicle by the left-hand doors and wait behind the barrier.
2. Assess the damage
A slow puncture may permit a short, careful drive to a safer location; a blowout or sidewall damage does not. A fully deflated tyre must never be driven on, as doing so damages the wheel and compromises control.
3. Review the options
- Spare wheel: only where one is fitted, the ground is firm and level, and the vehicle is clear of traffic.
- Sealant/inflator kit: a temporary measure for minor tread punctures only, not sidewall damage.
- Professional assistance: on a motorway, or wherever there is any doubt, this is the correct choice.
4. Resolve it properly
A space-saver spare or sealant is a temporary solution; the tyre must be repaired or replaced promptly. A mobile service removes the roadside burden entirely. FixMyTyreNow, a Londonos group company, attends your home, workplace or the roadside and fits a replacement on site.
Prevention
Many failures are avoidable through routine checks — see how to check tyre tread and pressure, and the UK law.