Tyler, the Creator tells TMZ ... he was definitely driving Justin Bieber's Ferrari on the day of the confrontation with Keyshawn Johnson ... but insists he never burned rubber or endangered kids.

Tyler was at a MySpace party at the El Rey Theater in L.A. last night when at first he joked that he was "whipping" JB's ride through the streets of Calabasas on the day of the Memorial Day weekend encounter.

But Tyler quickly clicked into serious mode ... telling TMZ, "Nah, I wasn't whipping ... I was driving nicely."

He also insisted he has concern for pedestrians when he's behind the wheel.

Of course, Keyshawn is convinced Tyler's a liar -- because the ex-NFL star is adamant JUSTIN was the one driving like a maniac at breakneck speed that day.