Motorway Breakdown Help – What To Do (And Who To Call)
Breaking down on a motorway is scary. Lorries passing at 70mph. Nowhere to go. No hard shoulder on some sections.
First: breathe. Second: follow these steps. Third: call us.
This guide tells you exactly what to do on any motorway – M1, M6, A14, or anywhere in the UK. And when you need recovery, Nick answers his own phone. Same price at 3pm or 3am. No Sunday or bank holiday premium. No call-out fee.
First – Don't Panic. You're Not Alone.
Thousands of people break down on motorways every day. Most get home safely. You will too.
The most dangerous thing you can do is panic and make a bad decision.
Your safety comes before your car. Your car can be replaced. You cannot.
Get safe. Then call for help.
Step-by-Step – What To Do If You Break Down on a Motorway
Step 1 – Get to safety immediately
If you have a hard shoulder: Pull over as far left as possible. Left exit only. Never stop in a live lane.
If you're on a smart motorway with no hard shoulder: Reach an emergency refuge area (orange tarmac, blue sign saying "Emergency Area"). If you can't, hazard lights on, stay in your car, call 999 immediately.
If you're in a live lane and cannot move: Hazard lights on. Stay in your car. Seatbelt on. Call 999 immediately.
Step 2 – Get visible
Hazard lights on immediately. Even during the day.
Put on a high-vis jacket if you have one. Keep one in your car for emergencies.
If you have a warning triangle, place it at least 45 metres behind your car on the hard shoulder. Never walk in a live lane.
Step 3 – Get out of the car (safely)
If you're on a hard shoulder: Get out of the passenger side. Never step into a live lane.
Get behind the barrier – away from traffic. Stand as far back as you can.
Do not stand between your car and the barrier. Do not stand in front of your car. Do not try to fix anything yourself on the motorway. It's too dangerous.
Step 4 – Call for help
If you're in danger, blocking a live lane, or on a smart motorway with no hard shoulder: Call 999 first. Ask for police / Highways England. They may need to close a lane.
If you're safe on a hard shoulder or in an emergency refuge area: Call 07863 737343 (Nick). We're 24/7. Same price day or night.
Tell us: which motorway, which junction you're near, which direction you're travelling, and what colour the emergency phone sign is (blue with a white phone icon).
Step 5 – Wait safely
Wait behind the barrier. Do not get back in the car unless it's pouring rain and you're safely on a hard shoulder.
Do not accept help from strangers pulling over. They mean well, but it's dangerous.
We'll send you a live tracking link so you can see exactly where we are.
Smart Motorways – No Hard Shoulder? Here's What To Do.
Smart motorways have no continuous hard shoulder. Only emergency refuge areas (ERA) every 1.5 miles.
If you can reach an emergency refuge area: Pull in. Orange tarmac. Blue sign saying "Emergency Area". Hazard lights on. Stay in your car with seatbelt on. Use the SOS phone (free, direct to Highways England) or call 999. Then call us.
If you cannot reach an emergency refuge area: Do NOT stop in a live lane unless absolutely necessary. If you have to stop, hazard lights on. Stay in your car. Seatbelt on. Call 999 immediately. Highways England will close a lane. Do not get out of the car unless you are in danger and can safely reach behind the barrier.
We are NOT emergency services. We cannot close lanes. Call 999 first on smart motorway sections.
Emergency Phone Numbers – Which One To Call?
| Situation | Who To Call First | Then Call |
|---|---|---|
| Safe on hard shoulder or ERA | Nick (07863 737343) | No one else needed |
| Live lane, blocking traffic | 999 (police / Highways England) | Nick |
| Smart motorway, no hard shoulder, can't reach ERA | 999 (police / Highways England) | Nick |
| Injury or medical emergency | 999 (ambulance) | Nick |
| Fire | 999 (fire brigade) | Nick |
| You don't know what to do | Nick – he'll talk you through it | - |
Save our number now: 07863 737343
- Stopping in a live lane – You will be hit. Lorries don't stop quickly.
- Getting out and standing between your car and the barrier – Your car could be hit from behind, crushing you against the barrier.
- Walking along the motorway – Drivers don't expect pedestrians. You will be hit.
- Trying to fix your car on the hard shoulder – Changing a tyre on the hard shoulder is how people die. We will come to you.
- Crossing the motorway on foot – 70mph traffic both ways. You will not make it.
- Letting strangers "help" – Well-meaning drivers pulling over cause accidents. Tell them you've called recovery and they should go.
Which Motorways Do We Cover?
We cover these motorways fully (Northamptonshire stretches):
| Motorway | Our Stretch | Nearest Towns |
|---|---|---|
| M1 | J15 to J19 | Northampton, Daventry, Rugby, Crick |
| M6 | J1 only (Catthorpe) | Rugby, Catthorpe |
| A14 | J1 to J13 | Rugby, Crick, Kettering, Thrapston |
| A43 | Full Northamptonshire | Corby, Kettering, Northampton |
| A45 | Full Northamptonshire | Daventry, Northampton, Wellingborough, Rushden |
| A5 | Rugby to Towcester | Rugby, Daventry, Towcester |
| A6003 | Full stretch | Corby, Geddington, Kettering |
We do NOT fully cover these motorways: M40, M25, M69, M42. If you break down there, call us anyway. We may refer you to a local recovery partner or travel further for an extra fee. Call us – we'll be honest.
Need motorway recovery on our stretch? See our M1 breakdown assistance, A14 breakdown recovery, or A43 car recovery pages.
What To Keep In Your Car For Motorway Breakdowns
Essential items (could save your life):
Good to have: Basic first aid kit, torch, jump leads, spare tyre in good condition.
Do NOT keep in your car for motorway repairs: Toolbox (don't attempt repairs on the hard shoulder), anything that tempts you to get out of the car unnecessarily.
What Our Customers Say on Google
We've recovered hundreds of cars from motorways – M1, A14, A43, A45. Call us.
Read more reviews on GoogleFrequently Asked Questions – Motorway Breakdown Help
Got a different question? Call Nick on 07863 737343. Or see our main FAQ page.
Ready? Here's How To Get Motorway Breakdown Help.
Call or WhatsApp Nick: 07863 737343
Tell us: which motorway you're on, which junction you're nearest to, which direction you're travelling, and whether you're safe.
We'll tell you if you need to call 999 first, give you a real price – same price day or night – and send a live tracking link.
Save this number now: 07863 737343
NICK TRANSPORT SPECIALIST LTD – Company № 16342771 – 11 Corby Gate, Corby NN17 5JG – 07863 737343 – Open 24/7
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