Breaking down on a motorway can feel far more intimidating than stopping on a local road. Not only does traffic move faster on a motorway, but it does so over multiple lanes. Knowing exactly what to do in this situation will help keep you safe.
Motorways are designed for high-speed travel, which means safety decisions must be quick, calm and deliberate. The Highway Code provides clear guidance for dealing with breakdowns on these roads, and following it carefully is essential.
Let’s look at some of the key recommendations.
First priority: get to a safe place
If you notice a problem developing, such as a warning light, loss of power or unusual noise, act as soon as possible. Don’t wait for the vehicle to fail completely. Signal left and move into the left-hand lane as soon as it’s safe to do so; your aim should be to leave the active lane entirely.
Where to stop
- A motorway service area is the safest option if you can reach one
- An emergency area (on smart motorways) should be used if available
- The hard shoulder should be used only if no other option is possible
The Highway Code (Rule 275) advises that you should exit the motorway at the next available exit, or pull into a service area if you can. Only stop on the hard shoulder if you can’t leave the motorway.
What to do when you’ve stopped
- Switch on hazard warning lights immediately
- Apply the handbrake and turn your wheels to the left
- Switch off the engine
Should you get out of the car?
Standing next to a broken-down vehicle on a motorway is extremely dangerous. Traffic may be travelling at 70mph, and drivers may not expect stationary vehicles ahead.
The Highway Code makes several key points:
- Leave the vehicle by the left-hand door where possible.
- Move well away from the road and hard shoulder.
- Stand behind a safety barrier if possible.
- Do not stand between your vehicle and oncoming traffic.
- Don’t block your car’s lights. Other drivers need to be able to see your vehicle.
If you can’t get out of the vehicle safely (for example, if you are in a live lane and traffic is passing closely), stay inside with seatbelts fastened and call 999 immediately. We’ll talk about this a little more later on.
Considerations for smart motorways
On smart motorways, the hard shoulder may operate as a live lane. This makes it even more important to understand your surroundings.
If you break down on a smart motorway, you should:
- Use an emergency refuge area if you can reach one
- Follow the orange SOS signs directing you to emergency areas
- If you can’t reach a refuge area and are forced to stop in a live lane, switch on your hazard lights and call 999 immediately
Highway authorities can close lanes using overhead signals. Look for a red “X” above a lane – this indicates that it’s closed to traffic. Never attempt to walk along a smart motorway to find help.
Calling for assistance
Once you’re in a safe place, use your mobile phone to contact a breakdown service.
If you don’t have a phone or signal, use the nearest emergency roadside telephone. These connect directly to motorway control centres and automatically provide your location. Follow the arrows on the marker posts to find the nearest phone.
When speaking to emergency services, be ready to give:
- Your motorway number (e.g., M1, M6)
- Your direction of travel
- The nearest junction number or marker post reference
- A description of your vehicle and the issue
Clear information speeds up help and reduces the time you’re exposed at the roadside.
What not to do if you break down on a motorway
Motorway breakdowns often become more dangerous because of avoidable mistakes.
- Don’t attempt to fix issues with your car while you’re on the hard shoulder
- Don’t open doors into live traffic
- Don’t place warning triangles on a motorway (the Highway Code advises against using them on motorways due to the risk of approaching vehicles)
- Don’t stay inside the vehicle on the hard shoulder, unless you absolutely can’t exit safely
Focus on creating distance between yourself and oncoming traffic, not diagnosing issues.
What to do if you break down in a live lane
Although rare, vehicles can sometimes stop in a running lane, particularly on smart motorways. If this happens:
- Switch on your hazard lights immediately
- Keep seatbelts fastened
- Call 999 and tell them you’re stranded in a live lane
- Follow the operator’s instructions carefully
Emergency services and motorway control can activate warning signs and close lanes to protect you. Do not attempt to leave the vehicle unless instructed and it’s clearly safe.
Preparing before you travel
The safest motorway breakdown is the one that never happens. While not all issues are preventable, simple checks can significantly reduce the risk. Before you set off on a journey in your car, do the following:
- Check tyre pressure and tread depth
- Make sure you have enough fuel
- Pay attention to dashboard warning lights
- Carry a charged mobile phone
- Keep high-visibility clothing accessible (not buried in the boot)
Being prepared makes responding to a motorway emergency faster and more controlled.
Staying safe on motorways
A motorway breakdown is serious, but is manageable with the right actions. The principles are simple:
- Get off the live carriageway if possible
- Make your vehicle visible
- Move yourself and passengers away from traffic
- Follow Highway Code guidance
- Call for professional assistance quickly
Motorways can feel intense, especially with heavy goods vehicles passing at speed. Staying composed helps you make safer decisions. If you’re travelling with passengers, you may also find it helpful to read our guide on keeping passengers calm and safe during breakdowns, which offers practical advice for managing stress while you wait.