Your essential breakdown checklist

Your essential breakdown checklist

When your car suddenly breaks down, it’s easy to feel stressed or unsure of what to do next. To help you stay safe while you wait for help to arrive, we’ve put together a simple, practical guide to walk you through what to do if you breakdown:

1. Get to a safe place

• If you can, move your car off the road and away from traffic.
• On a motorway, try to leave at the next exit. If you can’t, pull onto the hard shoulder or into a layby and turn the engine off.

2. Make yourself visible

• Switch on your hazard lights so other drivers can see you.
• If it’s dark or visibility is low, keep your sidelights on too.
• If you have a high‑vis jacket, put it on before stepping out.
  
• If you’re not on a motorway and you have a warning triangle, place it at least 50 metres behind your car.

3. Leave your car

• Getting out keeps you safer than sitting inside.
• Use the left‑hand door and wait behind a barrier or on a grass verge.

4. Call for help

• Use your mobile to contact your breakdown cover.
• If you’re on a motorway and can’t get a signal, use the orange emergency phones - they connect straight to National Highways.
• Apps like What Three Words are useful for sharing your exact location.

5. Don’t return to your car

•  It can be dangerous to go back. Stay in your safe spot until help arrives.
  

What if there’s nowhere to pull over?

• Move as far left as you can.
• Get out using the left‑hand door.
• Stand behind a barrier.

Call 999 straight away.

If it’s unsafe to exit

• Stay in your car with your seatbelt on.
• Switch on your hazard lights.
• Call emergency services.

Need help now?

If you have RAC breakdown cover with us, you can contact them on:

• UK breakdown: 0333 159 8714
• European breakdown: 00 33 472 43 52 55

Or get help online through RescueMe

Not sure if you’re covered?
You can check your cover in Your Account - all your policy documents are saved there.
 
Is your cover right for you?
1 in 3 breakdowns happen at home*, so having the right level of cover means you won’t be left waiting, or paying, for help.

You can add Breakdown Cover any time through Your Account or by calling 0333 043 2066.
 
Download the myRAC app
The myRAC app has everything you need is in one place,  including help if you breakdown. You can download it here. 

*Figures provided by RAC based on data from January 2025 to December 2025.