UK motorway breakdown safety guide
What to do if your car breaks down on a motorway: 10 safety steps
A motorway breakdown can become dangerous very quickly. Use this clear step-by-step guide to reach a safer position, contact the emergency services when needed, share your exact location and give Motorway Response the information required to check a suitable recovery truck.
See the safe sequence
Get left. Share your location. Recover safely.
The illustrations move gently to show the three main stages. Motion switches off automatically when your device requests reduced motion.
Reach an exit, services, emergency area or hard shoulder if the vehicle can still move safely.
Use your phone location, direction, junction and the nearest safe landmark to identify your position.
A live-lane incident must first be protected or moved by the police or traffic officers.
Illustrations explain the safety sequence; actual road layouts and incident conditions vary.
Your first decision matters
What should you do in the first minute?
Call 999 now
Keep hazards and seat belts on if you cannot safely get out. Tell the operator you are on a motorway and ask for the police.
Leave at the next safe place
Use the next exit or service area. If that is impossible, move left into an emergency area or onto the hard shoulder.
Get behind the barrier
Exit on the side furthest from traffic when safe, keep everyone well away and then contact recovery.
Motorway breakdown checklist
The 10 steps to follow after a motorway breakdown
Safety must come before the vehicle, the recovery quote or the destination. Follow police, traffic officer and emergency-service instructions even if they differ from this general guide.
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01
Move left
Reach a place of relative safety if the vehicle can still move
Leave the motorway at the next exit or pull into a service area if possible. These are safer than stopping close to high-speed traffic. If you cannot leave, move into the left lane and enter an emergency area or the hard shoulder. Do not make a sudden manoeuvre across traffic and never reverse to reach an emergency area you have passed.
A service area, emergency area or a safe off-motorway location also makes it easier for a recovery vehicle to reach and load your car. If the engine loses power, use your indicators and hazards as appropriate and move left only while you can do so safely.
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02
Make the vehicle visible
Stop as far left as possible and switch on the hazards
Position the car as far left as you safely can while leaving room for occupants to exit away from traffic. Turn the front wheels to the left, apply the handbrake and switch off the engine. Put the hazard warning lights on immediately. In darkness, fog or poor visibility, also use sidelights.
If high-visibility clothing is already within easy reach, put it on. Do not search through the boot or stand next to traffic to find equipment. Never use a warning triangle on a motorway.
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03
Choose the safest action
Leave the vehicle only when you can do it safely
If the car is in a place of relative safety and the traffic-side risk allows it, every occupant should leave using the door furthest from moving traffic. Take essential medication and a phone only if they are immediately accessible. Do not delay your exit to collect luggage.
If you cannot get the vehicle to the left, cannot leave it safely or are stopped in a live lane, stay inside, keep seat belts and hazard lights on, call 999 and ask for the police. Do not step into a live lane.
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04
Protect passengers
Move everyone well away from the vehicle and moving traffic
Stand behind a safety barrier when one is available, while checking first for drops, uneven ground or other hazards behind it. Keep well away from the vehicle because another vehicle could strike it and force it toward you. Do not stand between your car and approaching traffic, and do not return because of rain or cold.
Keep children under close control. The Highway Code says animals must stay in the vehicle or, in an emergency, be kept under control on the verge. Never allow a child, passenger or pet onto the carriageway.
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05
Emergency help
Call 999 when the vehicle or people are in danger
Call 999 immediately if the vehicle is stopped in a live traffic lane, you cannot reach a place of relative safety, you cannot leave the vehicle safely, anyone is injured or in immediate danger, debris is blocking the road, or there is a life-threatening medical emergency. Ask for the police for a motorway incident. You can also use the vehicle’s SOS or eCall button when fitted.
If the vehicle is already safely parked away from live traffic and there is no immediate danger, use a free motorway emergency telephone where available or contact your recovery provider.
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06
Explain the incident
Tell the emergency services exactly where you are
Start with the risk: say clearly if you are stopped in a live lane. Then give the motorway number, direction of travel, nearest junction, services or emergency-area number. Read any safe, visible location sign or marker details, or share your mobile map position. Explain which lane or stopping area you are in, what happened and whether there is smoke, fuel, debris or another danger.
Give the number of adults, children and vulnerable passengers; describe any injuries; and provide the vehicle colour, make, model and registration if known. Stay on the line, answer the operator’s questions and follow their instructions.
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07
Roadside telephone
Use a motorway emergency telephone when it is safe and available
A free emergency roadside telephone connects you to the relevant road operator and helps identify your position. Use it only when you can reach it without entering a live lane. Never cross the motorway to reach a telephone. Remain aware of approaching traffic and follow the operator’s advice.
If you are in an emergency area, use the provided telephone before attempting to rejoin the carriageway; a lane may need to be closed for a safe exit. If you cannot reach a telephone or the situation is unsafe, call 999.
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08
Request recovery
Contact Motorway Response once the scene is safe
When you are in a safe position—or after police or traffic officers have protected or moved a live-lane incident—open the Motorway Response quote form below. You do not need to guess a postcode. Use the location button to add your exact map pin, then select the motorway and direction.
Motorway Response checks suitable recovery availability using the pickup point, destination, vehicle size and loading condition. A price and estimated arrival time are confirmed before dispatch, subject to traffic, scene access and operator availability.
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09
Wait safely
Stay alert and do not attempt a roadside repair
Wait behind the barrier where possible and keep your phone available. Face the traffic enough to remain aware of approaching vehicles or debris, but continue to stand well away. Tell the recovery coordinator immediately if police move you, your location changes or conditions become more dangerous.
Do not replace a tyre, inspect the engine, retrieve belongings or work on the traffic side of the vehicle. Do not place a warning triangle on the motorway and do not walk along the carriageway to find a junction sign or postcode.
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10
Safe handover
Follow instructions when the recovery truck arrives
Remain in the safe waiting position until the police, traffic officer or recovery operator tells you it is safe to approach. Confirm the vehicle and destination, disclose locked wheels, steering or suspension damage, missing keys and any change in its ability to roll or select neutral.
Never enter the carriageway to guide the truck yourself. Follow the operator’s passenger instructions and tell them about children, vulnerable travellers or pets before loading begins.
Calling the emergency services
What should you say when you call 999?
Speak slowly and lead with the most dangerous fact. The operator will ask questions and may already receive your approximate mobile location, but you should still give every safe location clue you can see.
“I am broken down on the M1 northbound, between Junctions 24 and 25. My car is stopped in lane one and I cannot get out safely. The hazards are on. There are two adults and one child in the car. Nobody is injured. It is a black Ford Focus.”
This is an example only. Give the facts of your own incident and follow the operator’s questions.Faster, more accurate recovery checks
What details should you give Motorway Response?
Complete information helps identify a suitably sized truck and the right loading equipment. It also prevents a driver being sent to the wrong carriageway or an unsafe position.
Exact safe pickup point
Motorway, direction, nearest junction, services or emergency area, plus your current Google Maps pin. Add a nearby road sign if safely visible.
Name and mobile number
Use a number you will keep with you. Let us know if another passenger will answer calls while you remain behind the barrier.
Make, model and registration
Include the vehicle type, gearbox and approximate van size or load. These details help check capacity and access requirements.
Does it drive for loading?
If it does not drive, tell us whether it rolls, selects neutral and releases the handbrake. Mention missing keys or locked steering.
Wheel, tyre and accident condition
Report locked or damaged wheels, suspension damage, low ground clearance, fluid leaks and loose bodywork. Photos may be requested when safe.
Destination and passengers
Provide the drop-off location, number of passengers, children or pets, and whether help is required now, today or on a later date.
Example recovery request
A clear message saves time
“M62 westbound, safely stopped at Hartshead Moor services. Map pin attached. Ford Transit Custom, manual, does not drive but rolls and goes into neutral. No wheel damage. One passenger. Please recover to LS10 1AB. Help needed now.”
No postcode required
How to share your exact motorway location
Motorways often cross several towns, so a town name alone is not precise enough. From a safe position, use the location button in the quote form to add a Google Maps pin. Also provide your travel direction and the nearest junction, services, emergency-area number or readable road sign.
Never walk beside traffic to search for a postcode or marker. If you are calling the emergency services, tell them every safe location clue you already have and follow their instructions.
Open the location-enabled quote formMotorway Response quote
Send your exact location with the recovery request
Safely stopped but unsure of the junction or postcode? Tap Get my current location. Your Google Maps pin will be added to the WhatsApp request together with the vehicle and destination details. No payment is taken through this form.
Official road safety information
Check the guidance for the road you are using
This Motorway Response article summarises general safety actions. The Highway Code guidance linked below applies in England, Scotland and Wales. In Northern Ireland, follow the police and responsible road operator. Official instructions always take priority.
Motorway breakdown questions
Frequently asked questions
Should I call 999 if my car breaks down on a motorway?
Call 999 and ask for the police if your vehicle is stopped in a live lane, you cannot reach or leave the vehicle for a place of relative safety, anyone is in immediate danger, or there is a collision, injury or life-threatening medical emergency. If you are safely away from live traffic, use an emergency telephone where available or contact a recovery provider.
Should I stay inside my car after a motorway breakdown?
If the vehicle is in a safe stopping place and you can leave safely, exit by the side furthest from traffic and wait well away behind a barrier where available. If you cannot exit safely, remain in the vehicle with your seat belt and hazard lights on and call 999.
Can I put a warning triangle behind my car on a motorway?
No. The Highway Code says never use a warning triangle on a motorway because placing or retrieving it would expose you to high-speed traffic.
How do I describe my motorway location?
Give the motorway number, travel direction, nearest junction or services, emergency-area number, visible location sign or marker details and a mobile map pin when possible. Never walk beside live traffic to look for a postcode.
What details does Motorway Response need?
Provide your name and mobile number, exact safe pickup point, motorway and direction, destination, vehicle make and model, gearbox, whether it drives for loading, wheel damage, passengers and any relevant accident or fault details.
Can Motorway Response recover a vehicle from a live lane?
Do not arrange private recovery while you remain exposed in a live lane. Call 999 first and wait until police or traffic officers have made the incident safe or moved you to a place where recovery can be carried out safely.
What should I do with children and pets during a motorway breakdown?
Keep children under close control and well away from traffic. The Highway Code says animals must remain in the vehicle or, in an emergency, be kept under control on the verge. Never allow a person or animal onto the carriageway.
Route-specific recovery information
Motorway recovery guides
Use the dedicated page for junction coverage, directions, service areas and exact-location advice on your route.
Safely stopped and ready?