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What to do when your car breaks down: 22 simple steps

17 May 2022 | Author AvatarAndy Moody

We have all been there. Everything was going great, and then your car gets a flat or a breakdown for some other reason.

Dealing with breakdowns is all about being prepared, and that preparation is two-fold.

First, you need to know what to do immediately after having a breakdown.

Second, you must contact a breakdown provider to get out of the situation as soon and as safely as possible. 

This article will get you prepared for what to do until help arrives.

What to do if you breakdown and don’t have breakdown cover?

Some temporary car insurance policies have breakdown cover included. But, if not, many people simply ignore the fact they don’t have access to breakdown services.

Breakdown cover is one of those things that you don’t realise you need until you need it, but not to worry. If you break down without any breakdown cover, you can still call a breakdown provider and get access to breakdown services.

The most important thing you can do is ensure you follow the proper steps so that you and others remain safe until emergency services arrive to help you.

What to do if you break down in a city or town centre

Breakdowns create a high potential for roadblocks and traffic jams in a city or town centre.

 For a car breakdown in this situation, follow these  steps:

  1. Get off the road
    • If possible, move your vehicle onto the side of the road or to a parking spot, so it is not in the path of other drivers.
  2. Hazard lights
    • Put your hazard lights on immediately so others will notice you faster
  3. Call for assistance
    • Call your breakdown provider or call a local garage

What to do if you break down on a quiet road

Breaking down on a quiet road has the benefit of typically being a safer situation, but it can also be more difficult to get assistance.

For a car breakdown in this situation, follow these steps:

  1. Get off the road.
    • If possible, move your vehicle to a safe place and out of the way of any traffic. If not, try to move the car to create the least amount of traffic obstruction.
  2. Secure the car.
    • Use your handbrake, shut the car off, and turn on your hazard lights. If necessary, due to the weather (such as fog, darkness, or rain), turn on sidelights as well.
  3. Exit the vehicle.
    • Get out of your car through the left-hand door, not the driver’s side of the road.
  4. Gear up.
    • If you have a reflective jacket, put it on, as well as put out the warning triangle. If you don’t have these items, stay as visible to traffic as possible.
  5. Get safe and call for assistance.
    • Put a reasonable distance between you and your car; preferably stand behind the crash barrier. Call either your breakdown provider or a local garage.
  6. Wait
    • Now you can return to your vehicle and wait for help to arrive.

What to do if you break down on an A-road or dual carriageway

This situation can be just as dangerous as a motorway.

If your car breaks down in this situation, follow these steps:

  1. Get off the road
    • If possible, exit the A-road or dual carriageway and go to a quieter road. If not possible, move the car into the lay-by or get to the farthest left part of the road as you possibly can.
  2. Hazard lights
    • Put your hazard lights on. If necessary due to the weather (such as fog, darkness, or rain), turn on sidelights.
  3. Exit the vehicle
    •  Leave your car, but do so through the left-hand side. If you have a reflective jacket, put it on and put out the warning triangle.
  4. Call for assistance
    • Call your breakdown provider and wait near your vehicle behind the barrier.

What to do if you break down on a smart motorway

A smart motorway presents the unique situation of there being no hard shoulder and as such, they have their own dangers and need special safety considerations.

If your car breaks down in this situation, follow these steps: 

  1. Get off the road – hazard light
    • Immediately turn on your hazard lights and get into the left lane (side lights also if it is dark, foggy or rainy). Take the next opportunity to exit the motorway: a junction, emergency area or service station. Be alert to orange SOS signs as these designate safe road sections.
  2. Exit the vehicle
    • Get out of your car, but do so through the passenger side, not the driver’s side. If you have a high visibility jacket, put it on, as well as putting a warning triangle out. Then you should get and remind behind the crash barrier.
  3. Call for assistance – Emergency phone service
    • You must call for assistance with the SOS phone at the nearest emergency refuge area (ERA). Tell the Regional Control Centre operator as much information and details as you can. You can also request the operator to contact your breakdown provider for you. After you hang up, get back behind the barrier again.

If you break down in a middle lane and cannot move: turn on the hazard warning lights, ensure your seatbelt is on, call the police and wait for them to arrive.

As with a motorway, if you have a breakdown on a smart motorway, do not attempt to make any repairs, do not use the warning triangles, do not remove pets from the vehicle, and do not stand on the motorway next to your car especially in between oncoming traffic.

What to do if you break down on a country road

While any breakdown may ruin your day, a breakdown on a country road is about the best situation to be in.

If your car breaks down in this situation, follow these steps:

  1. Call for assistance
    • Call your breakdown service or a local garage.
  2. Hazard lights
    • Turn the hazard lights on and if your car is stopped in a safe stop and will not obstruct traffic, just sit and wait for help to arrive.
    • If your car is obstructing traffic, inform the police using the non-emergency number, 101, so they can divert traffic away from your location.
  3. Gear up
    • If you can safely use the warning triangle, put one out but exit the car through the passenger side, not the driver’s side. If you think it is safer to wait outside the car, then put on a reflective vest if you have one.
  4. Wait
    • Simply wait for help to arrive.

How far away should the warning triangle be placed?

The warning triangle should always be placed directly behind your car at a distance of at least 45m and on the same side of the road that your car breaks down on.

Why breakdown cover is so important

Breakdown insurance is important because it prepares you for unfortunate situations, such as being stranded in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night. And not only does it bring peace of mind to you, but your family and friends as well. 

We recommend you visit related guides such as what to do if your can has been stolen, what you need to keep in your car, or what you don’t learn as a learner driver, and what does temporary car insurance cover.

FAQs

What not to do if you break down on the motorway?

Do not:

Do you have to stay with your car if it breaks down?

Once your car has broken down, it is now a collision risk, and you need to ensure that not only is your car visible to oncoming traffic but that you are also visible to traffic. Stand far enough away from your car, so you won’t be hit or injured by flying debris if it is hit.

Can I get breakdown cover if I have already broken down?

Yes and no. It is not possible to get breakdown cover online after you have a breakdown. However, it is possible to get immediate emergency cover by calling a breakdown provider after the breakdown occurs. The provider will send emergency services to either tow or repair your car, but at an additional cost.

Can you leave a broken down car on the hard shoulder?

You should only use the hard shoulder when directed to either by the police or road signs. However, if you have to leave your car on the hard shoulder, be sure to place your car as far left as possible and leave the hazard lights turned on.

Can you use someone else’s breakdown cover?

If the vehicle you are driving has vehicle breakdown insurance and you are a qualified driver, then yes, you can use someone else’s breakdown insurance. Vehicle breakdown insurance covers a specific vehicle regardless of who is driving the vehicle when it has a breakdown. Only the driver needs to be legally permitted to drive in the first place.

Final Thoughts

So, now you will be prepared for nearly any possible breakdown situation. Breaking down isn’t fun, but in many cases, it’s unavoidable. The best way to deal with it is to be prepared simply, and this is what having car insurance is all about.