What to Do When You Get a Flat Tyre
A practical guide to what to do with a flat tyre for UK drivers, from the CarPal mobile tyre team.
Get somewhere safe first
Slow down gradually. Avoid braking hard or steering sharply — a deflated tyre makes the car pull and sudden inputs make it worse.
Get off the carriageway: a layby, side road, car park or the hard shoulder. On a smart motorway use an emergency refuge area if one is reachable.
On a motorway
Get out of the vehicle on the left-hand side and stand behind the barrier, well away from traffic. Do not attempt a wheel change on the hard shoulder — it is one of the most dangerous things you can do on a UK road.
Switch on hazard lights. If you are in a live lane or feel in danger, call 999 first, then arrange assistance.
Assess before you act
Look at where the damage is. A nail in the centre of the tread is usually repairable. A split sidewall or a bulge is not.
If the tyre is completely flat, do not drive on it. Every mile destroys the tyre and risks the wheel.
Your options
If you have a spare and a safe place to work, fit it — but not at the roadside on a motorway.
If you have a sealant kit, it can get you moving for small tread punctures, though it makes a proper repair harder afterwards.
Otherwise call for mobile assistance. We come to you, assess whether it is repairable, and either repair it or fit a new tyre on the spot.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I get a flat tyre while driving?
Slow gradually, get off the carriageway to somewhere safe, put hazards on, and call for assistance rather than driving on.
Can I change a tyre on the hard shoulder?
You should not. Stand behind the barrier and call for assistance — roadside wheel changes on motorways are extremely dangerous.
Should I use a sealant kit?
For small tread punctures it can get you moving, but it complicates a proper repair later.
How quickly can someone reach me?
CarPal typically reaches UK locations in 30–60 minutes, 24 hours a day.
Need help with your tyres?
Call 07888 861557 · 
WhatsApp 07459 623445
Flat tyre, blowout or a tyre that keeps losing pressure? CarPal comes to you — at home, at work or the roadside — anywhere in the UK, 24 hours a day
Related Tyre Services: Mobile Tyre Fitting,Puncture Repair, Area we cover