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uk Transport & mobility emergencies

What to do if…
a tyre blows out while you are driving

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Grip the steering wheel firmly, keep control and allow the vehicle to lose speed and roll towards a safe stopping place at the side of the road. Once stopped, switch on the hazard warning lights and protect everyone from moving traffic.

Do not do these things

  • Do not brake sharply or make a sudden turn while the vehicle is unsettled unless this is necessary to avoid an immediate collision.
  • Do not stop in a live lane if you can still move gradually to a place of relative safety.
  • Do not leave the vehicle if this would put you or a passenger in moving traffic.
  • Do not stand between the vehicle and approaching traffic.
  • Do not inspect or change the tyre beside live traffic.
  • Do not attempt repairs on a motorway.
  • Do not place a warning triangle on a motorway.
  • Do not assume that the damaged tyre is safe for continuing the journey.

What to do now

  1. Grip the steering wheel firmly, look towards the clear route ahead and keep steering movements small. Ease off the accelerator and allow the vehicle to slow gradually.
  2. When you can do so safely, signal left and move gradually towards the nearest suitable stopping place. This may be a service area, lay-by, emergency area, hard shoulder or another place away from moving traffic.
  3. Stop as far to the left as possible. Switch on the hazard warning lights and, if it is dark or visibility is poor, use the sidelights. On a motorway or other high-speed road, turn the front wheels to the left and leave space to exit on the side furthest from traffic.
  4. If you cannot reach the left lane or another place of relative safety and cannot get out safely, stay inside. Keep everyone’s seat belts fastened, leave the hazard warning lights on and call 999 immediately to ask for the police, or use the vehicle’s SOS button if it has one.
  5. If the vehicle is in a place of relative safety and it is safe to get out, leave through the side furthest from traffic and ensure passengers do the same. Move well away from the vehicle and carriageway, behind a safety barrier where there is one, while checking for drops, uneven ground or debris.
  6. Use a free emergency roadside telephone where one is available or contact a breakdown recovery service. Give the road, direction of travel and the nearest junction, emergency-area number, marker post or other clear location information.
  7. Tell the operator about anyone who is injured, disabled, older, travelling alone or unable to leave the vehicle or follow the usual safety steps.
  8. Wait away from the vehicle and moving traffic where it is safe to do so. Remain alert to approaching vehicles and do not start a roadside tyre change unless the location is clearly safe.

What can wait

You do not need to diagnose why the tyre failed, photograph the damage, contact your insurer, select a replacement tyre or decide how to continue the journey until everyone is safe and recovery has been arranged.

Important reassurance

A tyre blowout can involve a loud bang, vibration or pulling at the steering. You only need to focus on keeping control, slowing gradually, stopping somewhere safer and protecting everyone from traffic.

Scope note

This guide covers the first actions during and immediately after a tyre blowout. Recovery, tyre replacement, vehicle checks, insurance matters and later travel decisions may require a breakdown service, tyre specialist or other professional help.

Important note

This is general road-safety information, not legal, mechanical, emergency or professional driving advice. Follow any instructions given by the police, emergency services, road operator or breakdown provider.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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