Finding a nail or screw in a tyre prompts the same wrong instinct every time: pull it out. Usually that is exactly what not to do. The object is often plugging the hole it made, and the right move depends on whether the tyre is still holding pressure and where the object sits.
Leave it in, as a rule
A nail in the tread has frequently sealed its own puncture. While the tyre holds air, the safest plan is to leave the object in place and get to a garage, where the tyre can be taken off and repaired from the inside. Yanking it out roadside can convert a tyre that would have carried you to the garage into a fast leak on the spot.
The exception is when the tyre is already flat and a spare or sealant kit is going on anyway.
Check it is holding pressure
Before driving anywhere:
- Look at the tyre, is it visibly soft, or sitting normal?
- Check the pressure against the placard figure, per correct tyre pressure
- If it holds, drive straight to a garage, sensibly, and no further
- If it is dropping fast, treat it as a puncture to deal with now rather than driving on
Whether it can be repaired
Position decides it. A repair is only allowed in the permitted central minor-repair area, the repairable area of a tyre. A nail there, in a tyre that has not been run flat, is usually a straightforward plug-and-patch repair. A screw in the shoulder or sidewall, or a tyre driven on while soft, falls the other way, into the repair-or-replace decision.
Holding pressure does not settle repairability
An embedded object may partly seal its own hole, so a normal-looking tyre can still have a developing leak. Avoid pressing on or moving the object. A fitter needs to assess the damage and, where appropriate, inspect the tyre internally. The permitted minor-repair area is defined by the repair guidance, not the legal tread-depth inspection band. Mention any driving at low pressure because that can affect the condition even when the original puncture looks small.
Common questions
Should I pull the nail out of my tyre?+
Usually no. A nail often plugs its own hole, so a tyre still holding pressure is safer left alone until a garage can repair it properly. Pulling it out can turn a slow seep into a fast leak and leave you stranded. The exception is if the tyre is already flat and you are fitting a spare or using a kit.
Can a tyre with a screw in it be repaired?+
Often, if the screw is in the central tread, the hole is small, and the tyre has not been driven on flat. A repair is not allowed in the sidewall or the outer shoulder, so the position of the object decides it. A tyre place will confirm once the tyre is off the wheel.
How long can I drive with a nail in my tyre?+
If the tyre is holding its pressure, drive straight to a garage and no further. Check the pressure before setting off and keep the speed sensible. A nail can stay sealed for miles or let go in minutes, so it is not something to leave for next week.
Is a nail in the tyre an MOT failure?+
Not in itself, but the damage it causes can be. A tyre losing pressure, repaired outside the permitted area, or worn below the limit will fail. A small object in sound central tread that has been properly repaired is fine.