The quick answer
If you cannot get to a place of relative safety and cannot leave the vehicle safely, stay belted in, switch on hazard lights and call 999 for the police. Do not attempt a tyre change or place a warning triangle on the motorway.
Follow the official safety sequence
National Highways’ motorway guidance sets out how to move left to a place of relative safety where possible, leave on the side away from traffic when safe, and wait well away from the vehicle behind a barrier where one exists. This does not mean driving a damaged tyre an arbitrary distance to reach a preferred destination.
If it is unsafe to get out, or a disability prevents you following the exit advice, remain in the vehicle with seat belt and hazards on and call 999. Tell the operator about vulnerable occupants. Follow emergency-service instructions for the actual situation.
Do not turn the stop into a tyre inspection
Stay out of live lanes and do not walk round the traffic-facing side to copy the tyre size. Do not jack up the vehicle, loosen fixings or attempt repairs on the motorway. Keep children away from the carriageway and do not return to the vehicle because it is cold or raining.
A tyre enquiry can proceed with missing technical information. A safe description of your position is more valuable than a detailed photograph taken at personal risk.
Call the right organisation first
Use 999 when you are in danger or cannot safely leave the vehicle, as the official guidance describes. Where safe and appropriate, the emergency telephone or National Highways on 0300 123 5000 can provide advice and assistance on its English road network. Contact your breakdown recovery provider as required.
A call or message to a tyre company does not replace reporting an unsafe motorway obstruction. Explain whether police, a traffic officer or recovery personnel are already involved before discussing replacement.
Communicate the position clearly
- Motorway or road number and direction of travel.
- Junctions, marker information or a location already safely available.
- Whether the vehicle is in a lane, emergency area or hard shoulder.
- Vehicle type, registration and any occupants needing additional assistance.
A town name alone can point to the wrong carriageway or several miles of road. Do not go searching along the motorway for a marker; give what you already know and let the operator help establish the position.
Expect the working location to be assessed
A hard shoulder or emergency area is not automatically a safe tyre-fitting site. The response may require traffic management or recovery to another location. Follow the people controlling the incident rather than asking a fitter to work around a restriction.
Once a suitable location is established, tell the tyre provider where the vehicle will actually be. If recovery changes the destination, update the enquiry before attendance is agreed. Replacement tyre sourcing and recovery are different tasks and may involve different providers.
Before returning to the road
Make sure the vehicle’s problem has been properly dealt with and follow official directions for rejoining. From an emergency area, the Highway Code requires using the emergency telephone and following the operator’s exit advice. See Highway Code rules 277–279.
Fix My Tyre can discuss mobile replacement at a suitable position. We do not offer puncture repairs or locking wheel nut removal and cannot promise a universal motorway arrival time. Keep personal safety and the official incident response ahead of the fitting arrangement.
Common questions
Should I place a warning triangle behind the vehicle?
Not on a motorway. Official guidance says not to use it there and not to attempt repairs.
Can a mobile van fit a tyre on the hard shoulder?
Do not assume it can. Traffic exposure and the working position need assessment, and recovery or other arrangements may be required first.
Can I walk to the next exit for help?
Do not walk along the motorway to seek a better location. Use the safe communication and waiting arrangements in official guidance and follow the emergency operator’s instructions.
Sources and further reading
Guidance checked on 10 October 2026. Use the current official instructions for your vehicle and circumstances.