What to Do If You Break Down on a Motorway

Breaking down on a motorway, especially a smart motorway with no hard shoulder, is frightening. Follow these steps to keep yourself safe, then call us and we will come to you.

Broken Down Now? Call 07960 200 253

Step-by-Step: Staying Safe in a Breakdown

Get your vehicle to the safest place possible

If you can, leave at the next exit or pull into a service area. If not, move onto the hard shoulder, as far left as possible, and turn your wheels to the left. On a smart motorway with no hard shoulder, get to an Emergency Refuge Area (ERA), the orange bays marked with an SOS sign, or the next exit if you can reach one safely.

Put your hazard lights on

Switch on your hazard warning lights immediately so other drivers can see you. If it is dark or visibility is poor, also turn on your sidelights. Keep them on until help arrives.

Get yourself and passengers to safety

Exit the vehicle from the left-hand (passenger) side, away from traffic. Get everyone behind the safety barrier and well away from the carriageway. Leave any pets in the vehicle. Never attempt repairs yourself on the hard shoulder or in a live lane.

Make yourself visible

Wear a high-visibility jacket if you have one. Do not use a warning triangle on a motorway, it is not safe to walk back along the carriageway to place one. Stay behind the barrier where you are easy to see.

Call for help, 999 first if you are in danger

If you are stranded in a live lane, cannot get to safety, or feel in danger, call 999 immediately. On a smart motorway, National Highways can close the lane and set warning signs. Use the SOS phone in an Emergency Refuge Area if you have one, it pinpoints your location automatically. Then call us on 07960 200 253 for fast recovery.

Wait safely for recovery

Stay behind the barrier until our driver arrives. Keep your phone to hand, our operator will call as they approach so you can confirm your exact location. We will assess the vehicle on arrival and either fix it at the roadside or recover it to your chosen destination.

Smart Motorway Breakdown FAQ

What is the difference between a smart motorway and a normal motorway in a breakdown?

On a conventional motorway you have a permanent hard shoulder to pull onto. On a smart motorway the hard shoulder may be used as a running lane, so there is often no continuous hard shoulder. Instead there are Emergency Refuge Areas (ERAs), orange bays with SOS phones, spaced along the route. If you break down between them and cannot reach one, get as far left as possible, put your hazards on, stay in the vehicle with your seatbelt on if you cannot safely exit, and call 999.

Should I stay in my car or get out?

If you can safely get out and behind the barrier, do so, exit from the left, away from traffic. If you are stuck in a live lane on a smart motorway and cannot get out safely, keep your seatbelt on, leave your hazards on, and call 999 so the lane can be closed.

When should I call 999 instead of a recovery company?

Call 999 first if you are in a live lane, cannot reach a safe place, are in immediate danger, or there has been a collision with injuries. National Highways can close lanes and protect you. Once you are safe, call us on 07960 200 253 to arrange recovery.

How quickly can you reach me after a breakdown?

With 1,000+ drivers positioned across every UK motorway, we typically reach you within 30-60 minutes. When you call, give us your motorway, direction of travel, and nearest junction or marker post so we can find you fast.

Once You Are Safe, Call Us

24/7 recovery on every UK motorway. One call and we are on our way.

07960 200 253