What to Do If You Get a Flat Tyre in Australia: A Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

What to Do If You Get a Flat Tyre in Australia: A Step-by-Step Guide

A flat tyre is one of the most common motoring emergencies Australian drivers face, and it rarely happens at a convenient time. Whether you are on a busy motorway, a quiet suburban street, or a regional highway, knowing exactly what to do can make the difference between a minor inconvenience and a genuinely dangerous situation.

This step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know, from recognising the signs of a flat tyre to getting back on the road safely.

How to Tell If You Have a Flat Tyre

In some cases a flat tyre is immediately obvious, but in others the signs can be more subtle, particularly in the early stages of a slow puncture. Common signs include:

• A sudden pulling sensation to the left or right when driving
• A thumping or flapping noise coming from one of your wheels
• Vibration through the steering wheel or seat
• A visible sag or bulge on one side of the vehicle when parked
• A tyre pressure warning light appearing on your dashboard

If you notice any of these signs while driving, do not ignore them. Acting quickly and calmly is essential.

Step 1: Stay Calm and Do Not Brake Suddenly

If you suspect a flat tyre while driving, resist the instinct to brake hard or make a sudden steering correction. A sudden braking or swerving response can cause you to lose control of the vehicle, particularly at higher speeds.

Instead, ease off the accelerator gradually, keep a firm grip on the steering wheel with both hands, and allow the vehicle to slow down naturally. If the tyre has blown out, you may need to apply gentle, steady pressure to the brakes rather than braking sharply.

Step 2: Move to a Safe Location

As soon as it is safe to do so, move your vehicle off the road. Aim for a flat, stable surface away from traffic, such as a car park, a wide road shoulder, a service station forecourt or a side street.

Avoid stopping on a bend, on a hill, or in a location where your vehicle is not clearly visible to other drivers. On a freeway or highway, pull over as far left as possible onto the emergency stopping lane.

Step 3: Make Your Vehicle Visible

Once your vehicle is stationary and the engine is off, make it as visible as possible to other road users.

• Turn on your hazard lights immediately
• If you have them, place warning triangles or flares behind your vehicle at a safe distance
• If it is dark or visibility is poor, wear a high-visibility vest if you have one in the vehicle

In New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and most other states, you are required by law to display a warning triangle or similar device if your vehicle is stopped on a road and poses a hazard to other drivers.

Step 4: Assess the Situation

Before attempting to change the tyre yourself, take a moment to assess the situation honestly.

Ask yourself:

• Is the location safe enough to change the tyre without risk to myself or other road users?
• Do I have a spare tyre, and is it in usable condition?
• Do I have the tools needed to change the tyre, including a jack, wheel brace and locking wheel nut key if applicable?
• Am I physically capable of safely completing the tyre change?

If the answer to any of these is no, skip ahead to Step 7 and call for assistance rather than attempting the change in unsafe conditions.

Step 5: Change the Tyre

If the location is safe and you have the necessary equipment, follow these steps to change your tyre:

• Apply the handbrake and place wheel chocks or rocks behind the remaining tyres to prevent the vehicle from rolling
• Remove the spare tyre, jack and wheel brace from the vehicle
• Loosen the wheel nuts on the flat tyre slightly before jacking the vehicle up, as it is easier to loosen them while the tyre is still in contact with the ground
• Position the jack under the vehicle’s designated jacking point, which is usually indicated in your owner’s manual, and raise the vehicle until the flat tyre is clear of the ground
• Remove the wheel nuts completely and remove the flat tyre
• Mount the spare tyre and hand-tighten the wheel nuts in a star pattern to ensure even seating
• Lower the vehicle and fully tighten the wheel nuts once the tyre is back in contact with the ground
• Check the spare tyre pressure before driving if you have a gauge available

If your vehicle has a space saver spare, refer to our earlier guide on how long you can drive on a space saver tyre and the speed and distance limits that apply.

Step 6: Stow Your Flat Tyre and Equipment

Once the spare is fitted, place the flat tyre and all equipment back in the vehicle. Do not leave anything on the road or road shoulder. If your flat tyre appears to have a repairable puncture, keep it secured in the boot rather than discarding it, as a tyre specialist may be able to repair it for you.

Step 7: Call Jim’s Mobile Tyres

If you are unable to change the tyre safely yourself, or if your vehicle does not carry a spare, calling a mobile tyre service is the most practical and safest option available to Australian drivers in 2026.

Jim’s Mobile Tyres operates a 24/7 emergency breakdown tyre service across Australia, including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart, Darwin, Townsville and the Gold Coast. Our fully equipped mobile technicians come to your location and can repair or replace your tyre on the spot, getting you back on the road without the need for a tow truck or a trip to a tyre shop.

Simply call 13 15 46 and a technician will be dispatched to your location as quickly as possible.

Step 8: Get Your Tyre Repaired or Replaced Promptly

Whether you have fitted a space saver spare or had an emergency repair carried out, your next step is to get a proper tyre repair or replacement arranged as soon as possible.

Driving on a space saver for longer than recommended, or on a tyre that has been temporarily repaired with an inflation kit, is not a long-term solution. Jim’s Mobile Tyres can come to your home or workplace at a time that suits you to carry out a full assessment and fit a permanent replacement tyre from our wide range of leading brands, at competitive prices.

Tips to Reduce the Risk of a Flat Tyre

While flat tyres can happen to any driver at any time, there are a few simple steps you can take to reduce the risk:

• Check your tyre pressure at least once a month and before long road trips
• Inspect your tyres regularly for uneven wear, cuts, bulges or embedded objects
• Ensure your spare tyre is in good condition and correctly inflated at all times
• Replace tyres when the tread reaches 3mm or less, well before the legal minimum of 1.6mm
• Have your wheels balanced and aligned regularly to promote even tyre wear

Summary

Getting a flat tyre in Australia is a stressful experience, but knowing what to do makes it far more manageable. Stay calm, move to a safe location, make your vehicle visible, and either change the tyre yourself if it is safe to do so, or call Jim’s Mobile Tyres for fast, professional roadside assistance.

Jim’s Mobile Tyres is available 7 days a week across Australia. Call 13 15 46 or request a free quote online at jimsmobiletyres.com.au.