Emergency Breakdown Checklist – What To Do When Your Car Breaks Down (Step by Step)
Your car has just broken down. You're stressed. Maybe scared. That's normal.
First: breathe. Second: follow this checklist. Third: call us when you're safe.
This guide walks you through exactly what to do – whether you're on a motorway, an A-road, a dark rural lane, or in a busy town centre.
Print it. Save it. Share it. 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've Got This.
Thousands of drivers break down every day in the UK. Most get home safely. You will too.
The single most important thing to remember:
Your safety comes before your car. Your car can be replaced. You cannot.
Take a breath. Then work through this checklist step by step.
The Emergency Breakdown Checklist – Step by Step
Step 1 – Assess where you are (first 10 seconds)
| Where You Are | What To Do |
|---|---|
| Motorway (with hard shoulder) | Pull over as far left as possible. Left exit only. |
| Motorway (smart motorway, no hard shoulder) | Reach an emergency refuge area (orange tarmac, blue sign). If you can't, hazard lights on, stay in your car, call 999 immediately. |
| A-road or dual carriageway | Pull off the road if safe. Hard shoulder if available. |
| Rural lane (narrow, no verge) | Pull into a gateway or passing place if possible. If not, hazard lights on, stay in your car. |
| Town centre or car park | Pull into a parking bay if possible. Hazard lights on. |
| Residential street | Pull over to the side. Avoid blocking driveways if possible. |
Step 2 – Get visible (first 30 seconds)
- ✅ Hazard lights on – immediately. Even during the day.
- ✅ High-vis jacket on – keep one in your car for emergencies.
- ✅ Warning triangle out – place at least 45 metres behind your car.
On motorways, place on the hard shoulder verge – never walk in a live lane. Do NOT use on smart motorways with no hard shoulder.
Step 3 – Get out of the car (if safe)
If you're on a motorway hard shoulder or A-road verge:
- ✅ Get out on the passenger side (away from traffic).
- ✅ Get behind the barrier or well away from the road.
- ❌ Do NOT stand between your car and the barrier.
- ❌ Do NOT stand in front of your car.
- ❌ Do NOT try to fix anything yourself.
If you're on a rural lane with no verge: Stay in your car with your seatbelt on. Hazard lights on. Call for help.
If you're on a smart motorway with no hard shoulder and cannot reach an ERA: Do NOT get out of the car. Stay in your car with seatbelt on. Call 999 immediately.
Step 4 – Call for help
| Your Situation | Who To Call First |
|---|---|
| Safe on hard shoulder, layby, or car park | Call us: 07863 737343 |
| In a live lane or blocking traffic | Call 999 (police / Highways England) first, then us |
| Smart motorway, no hard shoulder, can't reach ERA | Call 999 first, then us |
| Injury or medical emergency | Call 999 (ambulance) first, then us |
| Fire | Call 999 (fire brigade) first, then us |
| You don't know what to do | Call us – Nick will talk you through it |
When you call us, have this information ready: Where you are (road name, nearest junction, town, what3words), what happened, where you want the car to go, and what vehicle you have.
Step 5 – Wait safely
- ✅ Wait behind the barrier (if on motorway or A-road).
- ✅ Stay visible – hazard lights on, high-vis on.
- ❌ Do not accept help from strangers who pull over. They mean well, but it's dangerous.
- ✅ Keep your phone charged – use a portable charger or car charger if safe.
- ✅ Track our arrival – we send a live tracking link when we dispatch.
Step 6 – When the recovery driver arrives
- ✅ Stay behind the barrier until the driver tells you it's safe.
- ✅ Watch the walkaround video – we film your car before loading.
- ✅ Tell the driver where you want to go (if you haven't already).
- ✅ Get in the recovery truck – not your car.
- ✅ Pay when you arrive – card, cash, or BACS.
What To Keep In Your Car For Emergencies
Essential items (could save your life):
Good to have: Torch, jump leads, spare tyre in good condition, basic tool kit, notepad and pen, printed breakdown checklist.
Pro tip: Keep these items in a dedicated "breakdown bag" so you can grab it quickly.
What NOT To Do When You Break Down
| Dangerous Action | Why It's Dangerous |
|---|---|
| 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. Call us. |
| 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. |
| Panicking | Panic leads to bad decisions. Breathe. Follow the checklist. |
Emergency Breakdown Checklist – Printable Version
Want to keep this checklist in your car? Here's a condensed version you can print and put in your glove box.
EMERGENCY BREAKDOWN CHECKLIST – KEEP IN YOUR CAR
STEP 1: ASSESS WHERE YOU ARE
Motorway with hard shoulder → pull left
Smart motorway (no hard shoulder) → reach ERA or call 999
A-road → pull off road if safe
Rural lane → pull into gateway
Town centre → pull into parking bay
STEP 2: GET VISIBLE
Hazard lights ON | High-vis jacket ON | Warning triangle OUT (45 metres behind)
STEP 3: GET OUT (IF SAFE)
Exit passenger side | Get behind barrier | NEVER stand between car and barrier
STEP 4: CALL FOR HELP
Safe? Call Nick: 07863 737343
Danger/live lane? Call 999 first, then Nick
STEP 5: WAIT SAFELY
Stay behind barrier | Keep hazard lights on | Don't accept help from strangers
STEP 6: RECOVERY ARRIVES
Stay behind barrier until told safe | Watch walkaround video | Ride in recovery truck
EMERGENCY NUMBER: 07863 737343 (Nick – 24/7)
Same price day or night. No Sunday premium. No call-out fee.
Print this page. Put it in your glove box. You'll thank yourself later.
What To Do After You've Been Recovered
If your car is at a garage: Call the garage to explain what happened, authorise them to diagnose the problem, ask for a cost estimate before they start work, keep your breakdown receipt – your insurance may cover it.
If your car is at home: Book a mobile mechanic if the problem is fixable, arrange for a garage to collect it, or call us again for planned vehicle transport (cheaper than emergency recovery).
If you need to claim on insurance: Call your insurance provider, tell them what happened, provide your recovery receipt. We do not give legal advice or handle claims – you deal with your insurer directly.
What Our Customers Say on Google
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Read more reviews on GoogleFrequently Asked Questions – Emergency Breakdown
Got a different question? Call Nick on 07863 737343. Or see our main FAQ page.
Print This Page – Keep It In Your Car
You're reading this now when you're calm. But when you break down, you might not remember every step.
Do this now: Print this page (or save the PDF), fold it and put it in your glove box, save our number in your phone – 07863 737343, share this guide with family and friends.
You'll thank yourself later.
One more time – save our number: 07863 737343
Same price at 3pm or 3am. No Sunday premium. No bank holiday surcharge. No call-out fee.
Ready? Here's How To Get Help When You Break Down.
Call or WhatsApp Nick: 07863 737343
Tell us: where you are, what happened, and where you want the car to go.
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.
NICK TRANSPORT SPECIALIST LTD – Company № 16342771 – 11 Corby Gate, Corby NN17 5JG – 07863 737343 – Open 24/7
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