Emergency Breakdown Checklist

Free printable checklist – keep in your glove box

Free Printable Guide Safety First Step-by-Step

Emergency Breakdown Checklist – What To Do When Your Car Breaks Down (Step by Step)

Q: What's the first thing I should do when my car breaks down?

Breathe. Don't panic. Then assess where you are. If you're in a live lane or dangerous position, call 999 first. If you're safe, call your breakdown provider.

Q: Should I get out of the car if I break down?

On a motorway hard shoulder or A-road verge: yes – exit passenger side and get behind barrier. On a smart motorway with no hard shoulder: no – stay in your car.

Q: Should I call 999 or my breakdown provider first?

Safe on hard shoulder? Call your breakdown provider. In a live lane or on a smart motorway with no hard shoulder? Call 999 first.

Q: What should I keep in my car for emergencies?

High-vis jacket, warning triangle, phone charger, bottled water, warm clothing in winter, first aid kit.

Your car has just broken down. You're stressed. Maybe scared. That's normal.

First: breathe. Second: follow this checklist. Third: get help when you're safe.

This free 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. Keep it in your glove box.

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)穷	Pull over as far left as possible. Left exit only.
Motorway (smart motorway, no hard shoulder)穷	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穷	Pull off the road if safe. Hard shoulder if available.
Rural lane (narrow, no verge)穷	Pull into a gateway or passing place if possible. If not, hazard lights on, stay in your car.
Town centre or car park穷	Pull into a parking bay if possible. Hazard lights on.
Residential street穷	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穷	Call your breakdown provider or recovery service
In a live lane or blocking traffic穷	Call 999 (police / Highways England) first, then your recovery provider
Smart motorway, no hard shoulder, can't reach ERA穷	Call 999 first, then your recovery provider
Injury or medical emergency穷	Call 999 (ambulance) first, then your recovery provider
Fire穷	Call 999 (fire brigade) first, then your recovery provider
You don't know what to do穷	Call your breakdown provider – they can talk you through it

When you call for help, 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.
✅ Many recovery services send a live tracking link when they dispatch.

Step 6 – When the recovery driver arrives

✅ Stay behind the barrier until the driver tells you it's safe.
✅ Watch the walkaround video – a professional should 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.

What To Keep In Your Car For Emergencies

Essential items (could save your life):

High-vis jacket (one for each person) Warning triangle Phone charger / power bank Bottled water Warm jacket and blanket (winter) First aid kit

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穷	You will be hit. Lorries don't stop quickly.
Getting out and standing between your car and the barrier穷	Your car could be hit from behind, crushing you against the barrier.
Walking along the motorway穷	Drivers don't expect pedestrians. You will be hit.
Trying to fix your car on the hard shoulder穷	Changing a tyre on the hard shoulder is how people die. Call a professional.
Crossing the motorway on foot穷	70mph traffic both ways. You will not make it.
Letting strangers "help"穷	Well-meaning drivers pulling over cause accidents. Tell them you've called recovery.
Panicking穷	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 your breakdown provider
Danger/live lane? Call 999 first, then your provider

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

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, or arrange for a garage to collect it.

If you need to claim on insurance: Call your insurance provider, tell them what happened, provide your recovery receipt. Recovery providers do not give legal advice or handle claims – you deal with your insurer directly.

Need Help or More Information?

For assistance or more information, please visit:

Pricing information → Contact us → Locations hub → Breakdown guide → Motorway rules →

This is a free safety guide. For service information, please visit the relevant page above.

Frequently Asked Questions – Emergency Breakdown Safety

What's the first thing I should do when my car breaks down?

Breathe. Don't panic. Then assess where you are. Are you safe? If you're in a live lane or dangerous position, call 999 first. If you're safe, call your breakdown provider.

Should I get out of the car if I break down?

On a motorway hard shoulder or A-road verge: yes – get out on the passenger side and get behind the barrier. On a smart motorway with no hard shoulder: no – stay in your car with your seatbelt on. In a town centre or car park: you can stay in your car.

Should I call 999 or my breakdown provider first?

Safe on hard shoulder or layby? Call your breakdown provider. In a live lane, blocking traffic, or on a smart motorway with no hard shoulder? Call 999 first, then your breakdown provider.

How long will I have to wait for recovery?

Wait times vary by provider, location, and time of day. Local providers may arrive faster than national services. Always ask for an estimated arrival time when you call.

Can I leave my car and go home?

No. You should wait with your vehicle unless you're in danger. The recovery driver needs you to be there to authorise the recovery and tell them where to take the car.

What if I don't have a high-vis jacket or warning triangle?

You can still get help. Stay as safe as possible. Hazard lights on. Get behind the barrier if safe. Call for help – most providers will talk you through what to do.

What is a smart motorway?

A smart motorway uses technology to manage traffic flow. Some sections have no continuous hard shoulder – only emergency refuge areas every 1.5 miles. If you break down on a smart motorway, reach an ERA if possible. If not, call 999 immediately.

What should I keep in my car for emergencies?

High-vis jacket for each person, warning triangle, phone charger, bottled water, warm clothing in winter, first aid kit. See the essential items section above.

For more information, 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, share this guide with family and friends.

You'll thank yourself later.

Public Liability Up to £2,000,000 | Goods in Transit Up to £500,000 | Business Insurance Up to £200,000