Where you stop matters more than diagnosing the car. Get people away from moving traffic where it is safe to do so, then contact the appropriate emergency or recovery service.
The short answer
- If possible, leave a high-speed road at the next exit or service area; personal safety comes before the vehicle.
- If stopped in a live lane or in immediate danger, use hazards, keep seatbelts on when you cannot safely exit and call 999.
- Give recovery an exact location, direction of travel, vehicle details, symptoms and passenger needs.
Make the scene safer
Use hazard lights and, if the vehicle is in a live lane or another immediately dangerous position, call 999. On high-speed roads, follow current official guidance for exiting the vehicle and waiting in a safe place.
Prepare for the recovery call
Share your exact location, road direction, nearest marker, vehicle, symptoms, passenger count and whether it can roll or steer. Mention trailers, low clearance or unusual vehicle weight.
Quick checklist
- Use a map pin or marker-post reference
- Confirm the operator and estimated arrival
- Ask about call-out and mileage charges
- Decide a safe destination before arrival
Do not attempt unsafe repairs
A puncture or flat battery can appear simple, but traffic, soft verges, poor visibility and vehicle position may make roadside work unsafe. Wait for professional help when conditions are not suitable.
Motorway, live lane and refuge-area differences
If possible, leave the motorway at the next junction or service area. If that is not possible and you can reach a hard shoulder or emergency area, stop as far left as possible, use hazards and follow the signs and official instructions. Get behind a safety barrier when it is safe to exit.
If the vehicle stops in a live lane and you cannot safely get clear, keep seatbelts on, switch on hazards and call 999. Do not attempt to place a warning triangle on a motorway or make a roadside repair beside high-speed traffic.
What recovery providers need to know
Share the motorway or road, direction, nearest junction, marker post, emergency-area number or a map pin. State the vehicle size, transmission, drive type where relevant, whether it rolls and steers, the number of passengers, accessibility needs, pets, trailers and the intended destination.
Before agreeing, ask about call-out, mileage, waiting, storage, additional-vehicle charges and what happens if roadside repair is not possible.
Questions drivers ask
Should I stay in the car after a motorway breakdown?
If you can safely exit away from traffic and get behind a barrier, official guidance generally tells you to do so. If you are stopped in a live lane or cannot safely exit, keep seatbelts on, use hazards and call 999.
Should I put a warning triangle on a motorway?
No. Walking into fast-moving traffic to place one is dangerous. Follow current National Highways and emergency-service guidance.
Official sources and further reading
Related emergency guides
Turn the guide into a useful next step
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