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If you breakdown on the roadside
Try to get your vehicle off the road safely and stay calm
Turn hazard warning lights on
Make sure everyone gets out of the car safely using the left-hand doors if possible
Wait in a safe place where you can supervise your passengers
Put on a hi-vis vest if you have one
Keep your sidelights switched on at night or if visibility is poor
Make sure you know your registration number, make and model
Call for help - you may have roadside recovery services (sometimes with your bank or as part of a car purchase)
Assess if you may also require emergency assistance from the police to prevent an accident
If you or your passengers are vulnerable or in a particularly dangerous situation, make sure you let them know
Tell them the nature of the breakdown
If you have a hazard warning triangle and it is safe to do so, place this in a suitable place (don't attempt this on a dual-carriageway motorway)
Make sure you continue to supervise all passengers
You may be able to obtain your exact location from your mobile phone to assist with recovery services finding you
If it is safe to carry out a temporary repair, such as changing to a spare tyre, make sure it is safe to do so and that any passengers remain in a safe place
Additional actions if you are on a motorway
Leave at the next exit or service station if possible
If you cannot leave at an exit, use your hazard warning lights and move safely to the left and get as far left as possible with your wheels also pointed to the left
Some motorways have hard shoulders, but some are now "smart motorways" and it is important to know the difference as you may be in a live lane
Climb over the safety barrier and keep as far away from traffic as possible
There may be an emergency telephone nearby
Do not attempt to carry out any investigations or repairs at the roadside (such as changing a tyre)
If you are broken down on the motorway and can't get to the hard shoulder
Get as far to the left as possible
Keep your seatbelt on if you cannot get out safely
Switch on hazard warning lights
Call 999
Organising recovery if your vehicle cannot be fixed at the roadside
Consider where you are going to have the vehicle recovered to
If you leave the vehicle it will be lower priority for recovery
Make sure you take any belongings you need from the vehicle
If you do not have a recovery services membership, you may need a debit/credit card or bank details to pay for private recovery
Details of the breakdown incident will assist the repairer with a prompt and accurate diagnosis, such as - what happened, any warning lights/error messages/noises/smells/fluid loss, loss of power/acceleration, feelings such as vibrations, when/how long it has been going on, speed, length of journey, prior repairs/investigations/incidents etc
Ask for any reports or information from the recovery services which may be relevant
Preparing for a breakdown situation
Prevention is better than cure - maintenance is key to keeping you going
Give your car a checkover before long journeys - click here for our top tips!
Keep a copy of your breakdown cover documents in your vehicle
Keep the breakdown cover provider's phone number in your mobile phone
Download the what3words app so you can find your precise location
Keep a safety kit in the car with a hazard warning triangle, hi-vis jacket, first aid kit and torch
In winter - carry warm clothing, waterproof coats and blankets
In summer - carry water
Keep your mobile phone charged up
Make sure you never run too low on fuel
Keep your locking wheel nut key in the boot with the spare tyre or inflation kit or glove box so it is easy to find
It's also a good idea to make sure someone knows where you are going and the route you'll be travelling