Can I drive with the tyre pressure light on?

Published 27 September 2026

Short answer

CAREFULLY.

Carefully, and only as far as you need to. The light means at least one tyre may be underinflated, which could be a slow puncture. Stop somewhere safe, check your tyres by eye, and do not carry on if a tyre looks flat or damaged. If in doubt, get it inspected.

What the tyre pressure light means

The tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) light is usually amber and shaped like a horseshoe with an exclamation mark. According to the RAC it typically comes on when a tyre drops around 25% below its correct pressure. The AA says it means the pressure in your tyres is getting low and they may be underinflated, and that ignoring it could lead to tyre failure.

There are two types of system. Direct TPMS uses a sensor inside each wheel to measure pressure. Indirect TPMS uses the ABS wheel-speed data to work out when a tyre is running low. Either way, the light is a prompt to check, not a diagnosis of which tyre or why.

How the light behaves matters too. The RAC explains that a light that stays on usually indicates real pressure loss, while a light that flashes usually points to a fault with the TPMS itself rather than low pressure.

Common causes

Low pressure from normal air loss. Tyres lose air over time, which is why regular manual checks still matter.
A puncture or slow leak. A nail or damaged valve can let air out gradually.
Temperature changes. The RAC notes that an intermittent light can be caused by changes in temperature.
A faulty or flat TPMS sensor. Direct sensors have sealed batteries that eventually run out, and sensors can fail.
The system has not been reset after the tyres were inflated or changed.

What to do right now

Pull into a safe place and look at each tyre. Toyota's advice is to visually check the tyres and, if any look deflated but undamaged, re-inflate them to the correct pressure and reset the TPMS.
If a tyre looks flat, damaged or bulging, do not drive on it. Fit the spare or call your breakdown provider.
Find the correct pressures on the sticker on the driver's door edge or inside the fuel filler flap, or in your handbook. The AA advises checking only when the tyres are cold, meaning the car has not been driven for a couple of hours.
Inflate and reset. Many cars clear the light automatically once pressures are right. Others need a reset through a button or menu, and the RAC notes the system may need around 10 minutes of normal driving to recalibrate.
If the light comes back or will not go out, get the tyre and the system checked. A light that keeps returning can mean a slow puncture.

The AA's view is that it is only safe to drive to complete your journey or reach a garage. The RAC agrees it is not illegal to drive with the light on, but it is not recommended to travel far with it lit.

Does it affect my MOT?

For cars (M1 vehicles) first used on or after 1 January 2012, the MOT includes the TPMS. Under the official MOT inspection manual, a system that is malfunctioning or obviously not working is a major defect, which means a fail. The manual also notes that a warning lamp lit only because a tyre is low does not automatically mean the system is faulty. Check your pressures before the test.

What a garage will check

Each tyre for punctures, damage, tread depth and the condition of the valves.
Pressures against the manufacturer's figures.
For direct systems, whether each sensor is reading and communicating, and whether any sensor needs replacing and coding to the car.
A diagnostic scan for stored TPMS fault codes.

Typical UK costs

These are typical figures from UK sources. Prices vary by car, sensor type and location, so ask for a quote first.

Tyre pressure sensor repair: average around £108 booked through WhoCanFixMyCar (typical).
Single aftermarket TPMS sensor, fitted and coded: typically £50 to £90; OEM or dealer typically £110 to £180 (AUTODOC).
Diagnostic test: average around £57 booked through WhoCanFixMyCar (typical).

When it is an emergency

Stop and do not drive on if a tyre is visibly flat or damaged, if the car pulls to one side or feels unstable, if you hear flapping or rumbling from a wheel, or if the light comes on together with a sudden change in handling. Call your breakdown provider. On a motorway, get to a safe place first.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my tyre pressure light on when my tyres look fine?

A tyre can be well below its correct pressure and still look normal. Check with a gauge against the manufacturer's figures. If the pressures are right and the light stays on or flashes, the sensor or system may have a fault.

Will my car fail its MOT with the tyre pressure light on?

For cars first used from 1 January 2012, a TPMS that is malfunctioning or obviously not working is a major defect. A light caused only by low pressure is not automatically a system fault, so inflate your tyres before the test.

Does TPMS replace checking my tyres myself?

No. TyreSafe says TPMS helps but should not replace regular manual tyre checks. Keep checking pressures and tread yourself.

Why does the light come on in cold weather?

Temperature changes can cause an intermittent warning. Check and correct your pressures when the tyres are cold.