What to do if your car breaks down

A breakdown is stressful, especially on a busy road, but having a clear sequence to follow takes the guesswork out of the moment and keeps you and your passengers safe while help is on its way.

Get to safety first

Your priority is moving away from moving traffic before you do anything else. If you can, steer the car onto the hard shoulder, a layby, or as far onto the verge as possible, ideally past a marker post if you're on a motorway. Switch on your hazard warning lights immediately, and if you're on a motorway or fast road, exit the vehicle through the passenger-side doors if it's safe to do so, and get yourself and any passengers behind the barrier, well away from the carriageway. Never stand between your car and passing traffic to inspect or wait.

Make yourself visible and call for help

1. Put on a high-visibility vest before getting out, if you have one to hand.
2. Place a warning triangle behind the vehicle if it's safe and legal to do so on that type of road.
3. Call your breakdown provider or, on a motorway with no hard shoulder, use an emergency roadside phone or dial 999 if you're in immediate danger.
4. Give a clear description of your location — motorway name, direction of travel, and the nearest numbered marker post or junction.
5. Stay behind the barrier or well clear of the road while you wait, even if that means a longer wait feels uncomfortable.

While you wait

Keep your phone charged if possible and stay somewhere you can see the recovery vehicle arrive. If you have pets or children with you, keep them well away from the road too, not just yourself. Avoid attempting your own repairs at the roadside if the car is on a busy road — it's rarely worth the risk, even for something that looks simple.

The details will vary with the type of road and the nature of the fault, but the underlying principle doesn't change: get away from traffic, make yourself visible, and call for help before you worry about anything else. A calm, methodical response is what actually keeps you safe, far more than trying to fix the problem yourself at the roadside.