How do you safely change a flat tire on the road?

Pull completely off the road onto a flat, stable surface away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights, apply the parking brake, and if available, place warning triangles or flares behind the vehicle. Loosen the lug nuts slightly before jacking up the car. Place the jack under the vehicle's designated jack point, raise it until the flat tire is off the ground, then remove the lug nuts fully and swap the tire. Hand-tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern, lower the vehicle, then fully tighten them. Check the spare's pressure when possible. If you have a compact spare, drive cautiously and replace it with a full-size tire soon, as compact spares have speed and distance limits.