Breaking down: what to do and what to carry

A breakdown is stressful, especially in the dark or on a fast road. Knowing what to do before it happens keeps you and your passengers safe. Here's the official advice from the Highway Code and National Highways, plus the kit worth keeping in your car.

Checked on 17 October 2026 against the Highway Code (rules 275 to 278) on GOV.UK and National Highways' breakdown advice.

First: get somewhere safer

If your car develops a problem, or a red or amber warning light comes on, leave at the next exit or pull into a service area if you can (Highway Code rule 277). The safest place to stop is somewhere designed for parking. On motorways and other fast roads that's a service area. Lay-bys, emergency areas and hard shoulders are next best, but the Highway Code warns that hard shoulders give less protection because they're so close to fast traffic (rule 275).

On a motorway or smart motorway: Go left, Get safe, Get help

1. Go left

• Move into the left lane.
• Pull into an emergency area, lay-by or onto the hard shoulder if you can.
• Stop as far left as possible, with your wheels turned to the left, and just beyond an emergency phone if you can.
• Switch on your hazard warning lights, and sidelights if it's dark or visibility is poor.

2. Get safe

• If it's safe, get out on the side away from the traffic, and get your passengers out the same way.
• Put on a hi-vis vest if you have one within easy reach.
• Get behind a safety barrier if there is one, and stay well away from the car and the traffic.
• Don't go back to the car, even if it's raining, cold or dark. Don't try repairs.
• Never put a warning triangle on a motorway carriageway.
• Animals must stay in the car or, in an emergency, be kept under control on the verge.

If you can't get to the left or get out safely (for example, you've stopped in a live lane): stay in the car with your seat belts and hazard lights on, and call 999 straight away and ask for the police, or press your car's SOS button if it has one.

3. Get help

• Use the free emergency phone, or call National Highways on 0300 123 5000 from an emergency area, lay-by or hard shoulder.
• Contact your breakdown provider.
• Face the traffic while you're on the phone, and tell them if you're a vulnerable motorist, for example disabled, older or travelling alone.
• To give your location, use your phone's map app or quote the numbers on the nearest marker post or driver location sign.

On other roads

The Highway Code (rule 276) says:

• Get the car off the road if possible.
• Use your hazard warning lights if the car is causing an obstruction.
• Wear light-coloured or fluorescent clothing in daylight and reflective clothing at night or in poor visibility.
• Put a warning triangle on the road at least 45 metres (147 feet) behind the car, on the same side of the road. Take great care putting it out and picking it up.
• Keep your sidelights on if it's dark or visibility is poor.
• Don't stand between your car and oncoming traffic.

What to keep in your car

• Hi-vis vest for each person, kept in the cabin, not the boot
• A warning triangle (for ordinary roads only)
• A torch
• A fully charged phone and an in-car charger
• Jump leads or a jump starter
• A tow rope
• A first aid kit
• Water, snacks and a warm layer (see our winter driving checklist)
• Your breakdown provider's number saved in your phone

Keep one of our tow straps and ropes in the boot in case you need a tow off the road. A jump starter with air compressor covers both a flat battery and a soft tyre in one unit.

Shop the breakdown kit

• Breakdown safety kit, £32.99: foldable reflective warning triangle, hi-vis vest, rechargeable torch and a 3-tonne tow rope.
• Winter car kit with jump starter, £80.99.

See all breakdown essentials.

For bigger jobs, see our heavy-duty recovery gear.

Fewer breakdowns start with the MOT

Tyres, lights and brakes are checked at every MOT. Check your MOT date free, set a free reminder, and see CheckMOT's guide to breakdown cover.

FAQs

Can I use a warning triangle on the motorway?

No. The Highway Code says never use one on a motorway. On other roads, put it at least 45 metres behind your car on the same side of the road.

What should I do if I break down on a smart motorway?

Go left: get into an emergency area or as far left as you can, with hazard lights on. Get safe: if you can, get out on the side away from traffic and behind the barrier. Get help: use the emergency phone or call National Highways on 0300 123 5000.

What if I break down in a live lane?

If you can't get to the left or get out safely, stay in the car with your seat belts and hazard lights on, and call 999 immediately and ask for the police, or press your car's SOS button.

Should I stay in my car on the hard shoulder?

If it's safe, get out on the side away from the traffic and wait behind the safety barrier, well away from the car. Don't go back to the car, even if it's cold or raining.

How do I tell people where I am on a motorway?

Use your phone's map app, press your car's SOS button if it has one, or quote the numbers and letters on the nearest marker post or driver location sign.

Sources

Checked 17 October 2026:

• https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/breakdowns-and-incidents-274-to-287
• https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/motorways-253-to-273
• https://nationalhighways.co.uk/road-safety/breakdowns/

This page is general guidance, not legal advice. Rules can change, so check the official sources linked above.