A car breakdown can happen unexpectedly, whether you’re driving through town, travelling on a country road or using a motorway. Knowing what to do when your car breaks down can help you protect yourself, your passengers and other road users.
Your first priority should always be safety. Where you stop, how you leave your vehicle and who you contact will depend on your location and whether you’re in immediate danger.
In this guide, we’ll explain what to do if your car breaks down on an ordinary road or motorway, how to get help safely and what you can do to prepare for unexpected problems.
Regular vehicle checks can also help reduce the risk of avoidable breakdowns. Our car maintenance guidance hub offers practical advice on keeping your vehicle safe, reliable and in good condition.
Top Tip: Stay Calm
If your car breaks down, try to remain calm and concentrate on getting yourself and your passengers to safety. Avoid sudden movements or attempting to stop somewhere that could put you or other road users at greater risk.
If your vehicle is still moving, switch on your hazard warning lights when appropriate and look for a safe place to stop. Once stopped, assess your surroundings before deciding whether it’s safer to leave the vehicle or remain inside.
Never attempt roadside repairs if doing so would expose you to moving traffic. If you’re in immediate danger, call 999.
Where Have You Broken Down?
The safest way to deal with a breakdown depends on where it happens. Stopping on a quiet residential road is very different from breaking down on a busy motorway, where passing traffic can present a serious danger.
The following guidance explains what to do in each situation, how to protect yourself and your passengers, and when to call for assistance.
Breaking Down on a Normal Road
If your car breaks down on an ordinary road, your first priority is to stop somewhere safe without putting yourself or other road users at risk.
If possible, carefully move your vehicle off the road or into a safe parking area. Avoid stopping on blind bends, narrow roads or anywhere approaching traffic may struggle to see you.
Once you’ve stopped safely:
- Switch on your hazard warning lights to alert other drivers.
- Use your sidelights if visibility is poor, particularly at night.
- Apply your parking brake and switch off the engine.
- Assess whether it’s safe to leave the vehicle, taking account of passing traffic and your surroundings.
- Keep passengers away from moving traffic, particularly children and vulnerable passengers.
- Wear high-visibility clothing if you have it and need to leave the vehicle.
If you have a warning triangle, you can place it at least 45 metres behind your vehicle on an ordinary road, but only if it’s safe to do so. Never put yourself at risk to position one, and never use a warning triangle on a motorway.
Once everyone is safe, contact your breakdown provider or arrange suitable recovery assistance.
If your vehicle is obstructing the road or creating an immediate danger, contact the appropriate emergency services. Call 999 if anyone is in immediate danger.
Do not attempt repairs at the roadside if this would expose you to moving traffic.
Breaking Down on a Motorway
Breaking down on a motorway can be particularly dangerous because of the speed of passing traffic. The safest course of action depends on whether you can reach a safe stopping place.
1. Try to reach a safe location
If your vehicle develops a problem but you can still drive safely, leave the motorway at the next exit or pull into a service area.
If that isn’t possible, move into the left-hand lane and try to reach an emergency area or hard shoulder. Some smart motorways don’t have a continuous hard shoulder, so look for designated emergency areas.
Switch on your hazard warning lights and stop as far to the left as possible, with your wheels turned to the left.
2. Get yourself and your passengers to safety
If you’ve stopped in an emergency area or on the hard shoulder and it’s safe to leave the vehicle:
- Exit through the doors furthest from moving traffic.
- Wear high-visibility clothing if you have it.
- Move well away from the vehicle and passing traffic.
- Wait behind a safety barrier where available, checking for hazards such as steep drops or uneven ground.
- Keep children and other passengers together and away from the carriageway.
Never attempt roadside repairs or place a warning triangle on a motorway. Don’t return to your vehicle while waiting for assistance.
3. If you’re stranded in a live motorway lane
If you cannot reach a safe stopping place or cannot safely get out and away from moving traffic:
- Stay inside your vehicle with your seatbelt fastened.
- Keep your hazard warning lights switched on.
- Call 999 immediately and ask for the police, or use your vehicle’s emergency SOS system if available.
Tell the emergency operator your location, direction of travel and whether anyone needs additional assistance.
Do not attempt to cross live traffic lanes or leave the vehicle if doing so would put you in danger.
4. Contact the appropriate assistance
If you’re safely stopped in an emergency area or on the hard shoulder, use the emergency telephone where available or contact National Highways on 0300 123 5000 for advice and assistance on motorways in England.
You should also contact your breakdown recovery provider.
If you’ve stopped in a designated motorway emergency area, you must use its emergency telephone and follow the operator’s instructions before rejoining the motorway.
The most important rule is to prioritise your safety over the vehicle. Never put yourself or your passengers at risk attempting to move, inspect or repair a broken-down car.
What to Do While Waiting for Breakdown Assistance
Once you’ve contacted your breakdown provider, follow their instructions and wait somewhere safe.
While waiting for assistance:
- Stay away from moving traffic. On a motorway, remain behind a safety barrier where it is safe to do so, rather than waiting inside your vehicle on the hard shoulder.
- Keep your phone available so your recovery provider can contact you or confirm your location.
- Share your exact location, including the road name, direction of travel, nearby junctions or motorway marker information where available.
- Tell your recovery provider about any special circumstances, such as children, passengers with mobility difficulties or medical needs.
- Avoid attempting repairs unless you’re somewhere safe and the work can be carried out without risk.
If you’re unable to leave your vehicle safely, particularly if you’re stranded in a live motorway lane, keep your seatbelt fastened and follow the emergency services’ instructions.
Don’t return to a vehicle stopped on a motorway hard shoulder simply to collect belongings.
The priority is to keep everyone safe until appropriate assistance arrives.
Final Thoughts
Breaking down is never pleasant, but knowing what to do can make a difficult situation much safer. Whether you’re on an ordinary road or a motorway, protecting yourself and your passengers should always come before worrying about the vehicle.
Regular maintenance can help reduce the risk of unexpected breakdowns. Our car maintenance guide explains the essential checks that can help keep your vehicle safe and reliable.
If your car is becoming increasingly unreliable, it may also be worth considering whether further repairs make financial sense. Our guide to whether repairing your car increases its value can help you weigh up your options.
And if you’re thinking about replacing your vehicle, you can value your car with Jamjar to explore what it could be worth before deciding what to do next.