How Far Can You Drive On A Flat Tyre? - All Car Leasing

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How Far Can You Drive on a Flat Tyre? What’s Safe, What’s Not, and What Damage It Causes

• 5th February 2026

A flat tyre is one of the most common problems drivers face, and it usually happens without warning. One moment everything feels normal, the next the car starts pulling, vibrating, or warning lights appear.

The first question most drivers ask is simple:

Can you drive on a flat tyre, even for a short distance?

In almost every situation, the answer is no. Driving on a flat tyre can cause serious damage very quickly, not just to the tyre itself but to the wheel, suspension and steering. This guide explains how far you can drive on a flat tyre, what happens if you do, how run-flat tyres change the answer, and why this matters more than many drivers realise.

Can You Drive on a Flat Tyre at All?

If a tyre has lost most or all of its air, you should avoid driving on it wherever possible.

Once tyre pressure drops, the sidewalls collapse and stop supporting the vehicle’s weight. Instead, the load shifts onto the wheel rim and the tyre’s sidewall, which are not designed to carry it. This creates heat, friction and rapid structural damage.

Even moving the car a short distance can permanently damage the tyre.

If you must move the vehicle to avoid danger, it should only be at walking speed and only far enough to reach a safer position.

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How Far Can You Drive on a Flat Tyre?

For a standard tyre with little or no air, the safe distance is effectively zero.

If there is absolutely no alternative, you may be able to move the car a few metres or a few hundred yards at very low speed to clear traffic or reach a lay-by. Anything beyond that significantly increases the risk of damage.

Driving one mile on a flat tyre is very likely to destroy the tyre and can easily damage the alloy wheel.

The longer you drive, the higher the risk of:

• cutting through the tyre sidewall

• bending or cracking the wheel rim

• damaging suspension and wheel alignment

• reduced braking and steering control

How Long Can You Drive on a Flat Tyre Before Damaging the Rim?

Rim damage can happen almost immediately.

With no air cushioning the tyre, the wheel takes direct impact from the road. Even minor bumps, drains or rough surfaces can bend or crack an alloy wheel.

In many cases, a wheel can be damaged within a few hundred metres. Once bent or cracked, alloy wheels often need replacing rather than repairing.

This is why stopping as soon as it is safe is always the best option.

What Happens If You Drive on a Flat Tyre?

Driving on a flat tyre does not just ruin the tyre.

Common consequences include:

• the tyre breaking apart internally

• alloy wheel damage

• longer braking distances

• poor steering response

• suspension strain and alignment issues

• excessive heat around the wheel area

If the tyre disintegrates while driving, it can also damage brake components and wheel arches.

For many drivers, this turns a simple puncture into a costly repair. This is one reason car leasing appeals to so many motorists. Leasing typically puts drivers in newer cars with better tyre technology, safety systems, and optional maintenance or breakdown support, helping reduce both the risk and financial impact of issues like this.

Can You Drive on a Flat Tyre to a Garage?

If the tyre is fully flat, driving to a garage is not recommended.

Even a short drive can result in:

• a destroyed tyre

• a damaged alloy wheel

• the need for vehicle recovery

Safer options include:

• fitting a spare wheel if your car has one

• using a tyre sealant kit if suitable

• calling roadside assistance

Many drivers prefer car  because it removes uncertainty in situations like this. Depending on the agreement, support such as breakdown cover or maintenance can already be in place, making it easier to deal with unexpected tyre problems without extra stress.

Can You Drive With a Slow Puncture?

A slow puncture is different from a flat tyre.

If the tyre is losing air gradually but still holds pressure, you may be able to drive a short distance at low speed to reach a garage. Checking the tyre pressure first is important.

If the tyre looks visibly low, feels unstable, or warning lights are on, continuing to drive increases the chance of a sudden failure.

Once a slow puncture turns into a flat tyre, the same advice applies: stop as soon as it is safe.

Can You Drive on Run-Flat Tyres With No Air?

Run-flat tyres are designed to support the vehicle after a loss of pressure, allowing limited driving to reach a safe location.

Most run-flat tyres allow:

• up to around 50 miles

• speeds of no more than 50 mph

Exact limits depend on the tyre and vehicle manufacturer.

Run-flat tyres are more common on newer cars, which is another practical benefit of leasing. Leasing allows drivers to access modern vehicles with updated safety features without worrying about long-term repair risks as the car gets older.

Temporary Fixes: Tyre Foam and Sealant Kits

Many modern cars no longer include a spare wheel. Instead, they are supplied with tyre foam or sealant kits.

These are designed only as a temporary solution and usually allow:

• around 5 to 10 miles of driving

• speeds under 30 mph

They are not suitable for sidewall damage or larger punctures, and the tyre normally still needs replacing afterwards.

Is It Illegal to Drive on a Flat Tyre?

UK law requires vehicles to be roadworthy at all times.

Driving on a flat tyre can be classed as using a vehicle in a dangerous condition. If it contributes to an incident, it may lead to fines, penalty points, and insurance complications.

If a tyre is clearly flat, the vehicle should be treated as unroadworthy until repaired.

What Should You Do If You Get a Flat Tyre?

• Slow down and pull over safely

• Switch on hazard lights

• Move away from traffic if it is safe

• Check whether you have a spare wheel, run-flat tyres or a repair kit

• Contact roadside assistance if needed

For drivers using car leasing, this is where the experience often feels simpler. Leasing helps keep costs predictable and responsibility clearer, especially when combined with maintenance or breakdown options.

Why This Matters More on a Lease Car

When a lease vehicle is returned, its condition is inspected against fair wear standards.

Driving on a flat tyre can cause damage that goes beyond normal wear, particularly to alloy wheels and suspension components. These are common chargeable items at the end of a lease.

Looking after tyres properly throughout the lease helps avoid unnecessary charges and keeps running costs controlled, which is one of the main reasons drivers choose car leasing over ownership.

What You Should Remember If Your Tyre Goes Flat

If a tyre is flat, do not drive on it unless there is no safer option.

Moving the car a very short distance at very low speed may help you reach safety, but even this can cause damage. A flat tyre can destroy itself and damage the wheel rim very quickly.

Run-flat tyres and repair kits offer limited flexibility, but they do not remove the need for prompt repair. Stopping early is almost always safer and cheaper than trying to continue driving.

FAQs on Driving on a Flat Tyre

One mile is usually enough to destroy the tyre and can easily damage the wheel rim. It is not recommended.

Rim damage can occur within a few hundred metres once the tyre has lost its air.

Only at walking speed and only far enough to reach a safer location.

If the tyre is fully flat, driving to a garage is not recommended.

No. A flat tyre affects braking, steering and vehicle control and can lead to serious damage.