The quick answer
Get to a safe position and arrange the right assistance. Do not continue a journey on a flat conventional tyre. A mobile replacement may be possible at a suitable location; an unsafe roadside position may require recovery first.
Deal with the location before the tyre
If you are on a motorway, use our motorway flat tyre guide. In a live lane or where you cannot get out safely, keep your seat belt and hazard lights on and call 999 for the police. Do not step into traffic to take photographs or read the sidewall.
On other roads, stop somewhere that protects people as far as the circumstances allow. Use hazard lights when appropriate and keep passengers away from traffic. A car park or driveway still needs enough room for the work; being off the road does not automatically make a sloping or obstructed position suitable.
Choose between four kinds of help
| Option | What it can solve | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Spare wheel | A usable alternative wheel for the affected position. | Vehicle instructions, the spare’s condition and restrictions, and whether fitting can be done safely. |
| Breakdown assistance | Assessment and help within your cover. | Whether tyres, recovery and onward travel are included; policies differ. |
| Recovery | Moves the vehicle to a suitable place. | The destination, vehicle restrictions and whether tyre replacement is arranged separately. |
| Mobile replacement | Brings a suitable replacement tyre and fitting assistance to an agreed location. | Tyre availability, fitment, safe access and the total price before attendance is agreed. |
These options can work together. Recovery may move the vehicle before a fitter can replace the tyre. A breakdown provider may arrange help under your policy. Tell everyone involved what has already been agreed to avoid duplicate attendance.
Do not mistake a temporary option for a normal tyre
A space-saver spare, sealant kit or run-flat tyre has its own instructions and limitations. A run-flat marking does not create a universal permission to drive a fixed distance; follow the tyre and vehicle manufacturer’s guidance. A sealant kit is not suitable for every type of damage and is not a permanent repair.
If you used a kit, drove with low pressure or fitted a spare, tell the person assessing the tyre. That history can change the next step. Do not remove an embedded object to see whether it is causing the leak.
Have these details ready
- Exact position, road name and direction of travel, or the entrance to the site.
- Registration and whether the vehicle is a car, van, HGV or trailer.
- Affected wheel and tyre markings, only if safely accessible.
- Any spare, sealant or run-flat use, and how the problem developed.
- Access restrictions and whether the locking wheel nut key is available.
Send what you know. “I cannot safely reach the tyre” is useful information, not a reason to take a risk collecting more.
What Fix My Tyre can discuss
We provide mobile tyre replacement. We do not offer puncture repairs or locking wheel nut removal. Call with the vehicle and location so we can check the replacement requirement and whether attendance is suitable. Tyre availability, price and arrangements are confirmed before a visit is agreed.
If you are choosing between repair and replacement, a qualified repair provider may need to inspect the tyre internally. A telephone conversation or photograph cannot establish repairability.
Common questions
Can I drive a mile on a flat tyre?
There is no generally safe distance for a flat conventional tyre. Stop safely and arrange assistance. If the tyre is a run-flat, follow the specific manufacturer instructions rather than assuming the same limits apply to every vehicle.
Can you come if I do not know the size?
Call with the registration and vehicle details. We can discuss how to establish the specification. Do not enter traffic or crawl under the vehicle to find it.
Does breakdown cover pay for a new tyre?
Check your own policy. Attendance, recovery, replacement tyres and onward travel may be treated differently.
Sources and further reading
Guidance checked on 10 October 2026. Use the current official instructions for your vehicle and circumstances.