What to Do When Your Car Breaks Down in the UK

When your car breaks down, prioritise safety before arranging recovery. Reach a place away from moving traffic if possible and use hazard lights to warn others. On a motorway, if you cannot leave the vehicle safely, keep your seat belt and hazards on and call 999 for the police.

What should you do when your car breaks down?

Stop as safely as conditions allow, assess the danger from traffic and contact help from the safest available position. Do not continue driving a vehicle that cannot safely reach a suitable stopping place.

On ordinary roads, get the vehicle off the road if possible. Never stand between your car and approaching traffic. Do not put yourself at risk to inspect a fault or retrieve belongings.

On ordinary roads, place a warning triangle at least 45 metres behind a broken-down vehicle on the same side of the road, taking great care when placing or retrieving it. Never use a warning triangle on a motorway.

What if you break down on a motorway in Great Britain?

Try to reach an exit or service area. If that is not possible, move left towards an emergency area or hard shoulder where you can, stop as far left as possible and switch on your hazard lights. Use sidelights in darkness or poor visibility.

If you can leave safely, exit on the side away from traffic and keep everyone well away from the vehicle and carriageway. Get behind a safety barrier where there is one, checking for hazards such as drops or debris. Do not stand where a collision could push your vehicle into you.

If you cannot get clear of traffic and cannot exit safely, remain belted in with hazards on and call 999 for the police. If a disability prevents you from following the exit advice, stay belted in, use hazards and call 999 for the police.

Do not attempt motorway repairs or place a warning triangle. Once safely outside, do not return to the vehicle because of bad weather. Keep children under control. Animals should remain in the vehicle unless an emergency requires moving them, in which case keep them controlled on the verge.

Use an emergency telephone to obtain help where safely accessible. Call 999 for the police if you cannot exit or have not stopped near an emergency telephone. In an emergency area, use the emergency telephone and follow the operator's advice before rejoining the carriageway.

Follow police and road-authority instructions at the scene.

What guidance applies in Northern Ireland?

Breakdown instructions differ in Northern Ireland. Follow local instructions and advice from the emergency services.

On a motorway, try to leave at an exit or service area, otherwise use the hard shoulder. If the vehicle cannot reach the hard shoulder, leave it only when you can safely get clear of the carriageway. Do not attempt repairs or put a warning triangle on a motorway.

What information does a recovery operator need?

Give a precise location, the vehicle's condition and a proposed destination. A postcode alone can identify the wrong side of a road or a large area.

• Road name or number, direction of travel and nearby junction.
• A map pin or driver location sign details, if available without approaching danger.
• Vehicle registration and model.
• Whether it starts, rolls, steers and brakes; missing keys, damage or locked wheels.
• Passenger numbers and accessibility or child-seat needs.
• Destination address and whether someone can receive the car.

Do not return to an unsafe vehicle just to obtain these details. Tell the operator what you know and what you cannot safely check.

Who should you contact once you are safe?

Contact your existing breakdown provider if you have one. Without cover, you can ask about help for the current breakdown or a one-off recovery through our breakdown transport service.

Read about breakdown transport if you are unsure which service to request.

Confirm that your chosen garage or destination can receive the vehicle. Once safe and ready to arrange transport, enter your journey details to check the available service price.

Frequently asked questions

Should I diagnose the fault before calling?

No confirmed diagnosis is needed to describe a breakdown. Explain symptoms and warning lights. Do not inspect the vehicle where doing so would expose you to traffic.

Can all passengers travel with the recovery vehicle?

Ask before arranging transport. Explain passenger numbers and any child-seat or accessibility needs; do not assume the recovery cab has suitable space for everyone.

What should I do while waiting?

Stay in the safest available position, remain alert and keep your phone accessible. Tell the operator if your situation changes and follow emergency-service instructions.