Do rubber tyres protect you from lightning?

No. The metal body of a hard-topped car carries the current around you to the ground. The tyres play no protective role.

Is a convertible safe in a thunderstorm?

Not in the same way. Soft tops and vehicles without a metal roof don't give the protection of a hard-topped car.

Should I stop driving in a thunderstorm?

You don't need to stop because of lightning alone. Slow down for rain and poor visibility, and pull off somewhere safe if you can't see well.

By Boltwatch · 22 October 2026

Is a Car Safe in a Lightning Storm? What Protects You

Yes, a car with a metal roof and the windows closed is one of the safest places to be in a thunderstorm when you can't get into a building. The rubber tyres have nothing to do with it. Here is what actually protects you, and which vehicles don't.

Check lightning near you

It's the metal shell, not the tyres

When lightning hits a car, the current runs around the outer metal body and down to the ground, mostly through the tyres' steel belts. People inside are protected because the current stays in the shell around them. A few centimetres of rubber would not stop a discharge that has already crossed miles of air.

Keep the windows closed and stay inside. Avoid leaning on the doors or touching metal parts connected to the body. If you're outside the car, leaning on it gives you no protection at all.

National Weather Service: lightning and cars

Which vehicles don't protect you

Convertibles, soft tops and vehicles with fibreglass or plastic bodies don't give the same protection, because there's no continuous metal shell. Motorbikes, bicycles, scooters, golf buggies and open tractors offer none.

On two wheels, watch the sky. If storms look likely and you're near a solid building, pull in and wait there. Wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before you ride on.

National Weather Service: lightning safety outdoors

Driving through a thunderstorm

The bigger danger on the road is usually the weather around the lightning: heavy rain, hail, standing water and poor visibility. Slow down, use dipped headlights and leave more room. If you can't see well enough to drive, pull off somewhere safe, away from trees and power lines, and put your hazard lights on.

A very close strike is bright and loud. It can startle you even if you're unhurt, so keep both hands on the wheel. Don't stop under a tree for shelter: falling branches are a risk in strong winds.

What a strike can do to the car

The occupants are usually fine, but the car may not be. The National Weather Service lists common damage as a melted aerial, burnt-out electrics, a shattered rear window from current in the heating wires, and blown tyres. A strike can occasionally start a fire or leave the car unable to move.

If your car is hit, stay inside until the storm passes unless there's a fire. Then check for damage before driving on.

Using the car as shelter

At the beach, a campsite or a sports pitch, your car is often the nearest safe place. Go to it when you first hear thunder rather than waiting under a picnic shelter or in a tent. You can follow the storm on the live map from inside and use the 30-minute rule before getting out.

Frequently asked questions

Do rubber tyres protect you from lightning?: No. The metal body of a hard-topped car carries the current around you to the ground. The tyres play no protective role.
Is a convertible safe in a thunderstorm?: Not in the same way. Soft tops and vehicles without a metal roof don't give the protection of a hard-topped car.
Should I stop driving in a thunderstorm?: You don't need to stop because of lightning alone. Slow down for rain and poor visibility, and pull off somewhere safe if you can't see well.