Suffering a car emergency on the motorway can be a stressful and frightening experience. Knowing what to do in such a situation will keep you and your travelling companions safe.
If you experience a motorway breakdown you should:
- Remain calm
- Attempt to leave the motorway at the nearest exit
- Report your breakdown via our website, the myRAC app or call us on 0333 2000 999
If you are in a serious breakdown situation or in immediate danger – like breaking down on a live motorway lane – call the emergency services immediately by dialling 999.
Roadside cover from £5.29 a month*
• FREE MOT on selected cover – worth up to £55†
• We get to most breakdowns in 60 mins or less
• Our patrols fix 4/5 breakdowns
*At least 10% of new customers pay this for single-vehicle Roadside (Basic). †T&Cs apply.
*At least 10% of new customers pay this for single-vehicle Roadside (Basic). †T&Cs apply.
I’ve broken down on the motorway – what should I do?
Attempt to safely leave the motorway
If you can, exit the motorway at the next junction or by using the nearest service station.
If you are unable to drive to the next usable exit, pull onto the hard shoulder and stop as far to the left as you can.
Once you have come to a halt, turn your steering wheel left to angle your wheels away from the road.
Exit the vehicle safely and stay clear of traffic
Switch on your hazard lights. If it’s dark or visibility is poor, turn on your sidelights too.
Everyone should exit the vehicle through the left-hand doors, away from traffic (if possible). Also, if you have them, ensure everyone is wearing high-visibility clothing.
Once out, climb over the safety barrier and stand away from the road while you wait for assistance.
Contact the RAC or report your breakdown online
Both members and non-members can call us on 0333 2000 999 for immediate help if you have suffered a breakdown on the motorway.
Alternatively, you can report your breakdown online via our website or using the myRAC app.
If a mobile phone isn’t available (or you don’t have any signal), walk to the nearest emergency roadside phone. These are spaced approximately one mile apart and are free to use.
Stand facing oncoming traffic while using the phone and let the operator know if you have any specific needs or circumstances.
Motorway breakdown checklist
- Move off the motorway at the next junction or enter a service area
- If you can’t make it to the next useable motorway exit, pull onto the hard shoulder as far left as you can. Turn your steering wheel left to angle wheels away from traffic
- Switch on your hazard lights and exit the vehicle safely
- Everyone exits the vehicle through left-hand doors, away from traffic
- Wear high visibility clothing
- Climb over the safety barrier and stand well away from the road
- Call for assistance and wait in a safe location
What shouldn’t you do if you break down on the motorway
Do not attempt to repair your vehicle: Fixing your vehicle or attempting a DIY repair on the motorway is extremely dangerous due to high-speed traffic. Call for professional assistance and wait for recovery
Do not place a warning triangle on a motorway: The high speeds and heavy traffic make it too dangerous to place a triangle on these types of roads
Never stand on the carriageway: Wait behind the safety barrier until help arrives. Do not wait on the hard shoulder or on a live motorway lane
Roadside cover from £5.29 a month*
• FREE MOT on selected cover – worth up to £55†
• We get to most breakdowns in 60 mins or less
• Our patrols fix 4/5 breakdowns
*At least 10% of new customers pay this for single-vehicle Roadside (Basic). †T&Cs apply.
*At least 10% of new customers pay this for single-vehicle Roadside (Basic). †T&Cs apply.
Broken down on the motorway without cover
Even without cover, you can still get emergency help by contacting a trusted breakdown provider or calling an emergency recovery service.
Broken down without cover? Non-RAC members can call 0330 159 8743 for instant breakdown cover.
If your vehicle breaks down while driving on the motorway, stay calm and be aware of other road users. Try to pull over safely onto the hard shoulder or as far off the road as possible.
Once safely stopped, switch on your hazard warning lights. If it’s safe, exit the vehicle on the side away from traffic and move behind the safety barrier.
If you are broken down on a live lane, keep your hazard warning lights on, seatbelts fastened, and stay in your car. Call 999 and do not exit the car.
What to do if you breakdown in motorway roadworks
If you break down in motorway roadworks, your safety is the top priority – so being prepared is important.
- Try to steer your vehicle out of the traffic lane and onto the hard shoulder or as far left as possible
- Turn on your hazard lights immediately to alert other drivers
- If it’s safe to do so, exit your vehicle on the left-hand side away from traffic, and move behind any safety barriers or away from the roadworks area to avoid passing vehicles and construction equipment
- Do not attempt any repairs yourself, as the roadworks area can be hazardous with narrow lanes and reduced visibility
- Call for professional assistance – contact your breakdown provider or use an emergency roadside phone if you don’t have a mobile signal
How does free motorway recovery work?
Free motorway recovery is a service where a breakdown recovery company will tow your vehicle off the motorway to a safe location without charge.
This is usually only under certain conditions, such as roadworks where a broken-down car would cause a significant hazard and traffic build-up.
If your car breaks down on a motorway where ‘Free recovery, Await rescue’ signs are present, roadside recovery operators will attend the scene to help.
Their priority is to get your vehicle off the live carriageway as quickly as possible to maintain safety and reduce congestion.
This ‘free recovery’ actually means they’ll move your car from the hard shoulder or emergency refuge area to a safe spot nearby, such as a service area or the next motorway exit.
However, this service usually only involves moving your vehicle a short distance to clear the motorway.
Any further repairs or breakdown service incur a charge. This where you’ll need to contact your provider.
How to rejoin a motorway safely
To rejoin a motorway safely, start by signalling early to indicate your intention to merge. As you build speed, check your mirrors and blind spots carefully to assess the traffic flow and find a suitable gap.
Accelerate on the hard shoulder to match the speed of vehicles already on the motorway, ensuring a smooth merge without disrupting traffic.
When a safe gap appears, steer gently onto the motorway, maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles.
Once fully merged, cancel your indicator to avoid confusing other drivers.
Finally, adjust your speed to the appropriate motorway limit and position yourself in the correct lane based on your planned route.
When are you allowed to stop on the motorway?
You are only allowed to stop on a motorway in an emergency or if your vehicle has broken down - never stop in live lanes or on the central reservation.
Remember, stopping for non-emergencies, such as rest breaks or phone calls, is illegal and extremely dangerous on motorways.
If you use the motorway hard shoulder for a non-emergency, the police may issue you with a fine and penalty points on your driving licence.
Roadside cover from £5.29 a month*
• FREE MOT on selected cover – worth up to £55†
• We get to most breakdowns in 60 mins or less
• Our patrols fix 4/5 breakdowns
*At least 10% of new customers pay this for single-vehicle Roadside (Basic). †T&Cs apply.
*At least 10% of new customers pay this for single-vehicle Roadside (Basic). †T&Cs apply.
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