If your car has broken down, get yourself and anyone with you somewhere safe first, then get in touch with us. You don’t need to be an AA member to call us out. This guide walks you through exactly what to do, whether you’ve stalled on a quiet side street or you’re stuck on the hard shoulder of the M50.
Quick answer
- Get safe first. Move off the road if you can, or onto the hard shoulder if you’re on a motorway.
- Get in touch with the AA, member or not, through the app or by phone.
- We fix around 8 in 10 cars at the roadside. If we can’t, we’ll organise a tow to a garage.
Step 1: Make sure you’re safe
Before anything else, think about where you and your passengers are standing, not just the car.
On a normal road:
- Pull in as far to the left as you safely can, ideally somewhere off the carriageway entirely.
- Put your hazard lights on if the car is causing any kind of obstruction.
- If it’s dark or visibility is poor, leave your sidelights on too.
- Wear something light-coloured or reflective if you have it, so drivers can see you.
- If you’re going to wait outside the car, stand well away from moving traffic, never between your car and oncoming vehicles.
On a motorway or dual carriageway:
This is where most of the risk sits, so it’s worth being precise. In line with the safety principles set out in the RSA’s Rules of the Road:
- Get onto the hard shoulder and pull in as far left as you can, with your wheels turned left too. This stops the car rolling into traffic if you’re hit from behind.
- Put your hazard lights on straight away.
- Leave the vehicle through the doors on the left, away from passing traffic, and make sure anyone with you does the same.
- Move behind the crash barrier if there is one, well back from the hard shoulder and the car itself. Keep children close and well away from moving traffic.
- Never place a warning triangle on a motorway. It’s not worth the risk of stepping back into a live lane.
If your car has actually stopped in a live lane and you can’t get to the hard shoulder, don’t try to push it or fix it yourself. Keep your seatbelt on, put your hazards on, and call 999 or 112 for the emergency services first. Get to safety, then deal with the car.
Step 2: Get in touch with the AA
Once you’re safe, get in touch.
Through the AA app. Open the app and tap the ‘Rescue Me’ button. It uses your phone’s location to send us exactly where you are, which is a big help if you’ve broken down somewhere you don’t know well.
By phone. If you don’t have the app, call us and we’ll take your details and get someone to you. Have your rough location and a description of the problem ready before you call.
We can’t guarantee an exact arrival time. Callout times depend on your location, the weather, and how busy we are on the day, but we’ll always tell you the latest information we have when you call.
Not an AA member? You can still get help
You don’t need to be a member to call us out. If it’s your first breakdown with us, AA Instant Breakdown Assistance gets you help there and then, and includes a full 12 months of AA Membership as part of the callout, so you’re covered for the rest of the year without having to arrange anything separately afterwards.
Will my car be fixed or towed to a garage?
Most of the time, you won’t need a tow at all. Our patrols carry the tools and parts to fix most common faults at the roadside, and we fix around 8 out of 10 cars on the spot.
If yours can’t be fixed there and then, we’ll organise a tow to a garage. For members with Roadside Rescue, that’s the nearest appropriate repairer or a destination of your choice, provided it’s no further away. If you’ve added Rescue Plus, you may also have options like a replacement car, overnight accommodation, or help with onward travel costs, depending on your plan and what’s happened. Check your policy documents for the exact limits, since these benefits come with their own conditions.
Broken down in an EV?
The steps above are exactly the same if you’re driving electric. Get safe first, then call us.
One thing worth knowing: our patrols don’t carry on-the-spot EV charging, so if you’ve simply run out of charge, we’ll get you to the nearest charge point rather than topping you up at the roadside. If it’s a fault rather than a flat battery, our patrols are trained to diagnose and, where possible, fix EVs at the roadside just like any other car.
Broken down in someone else’s car?
You’re still covered. AA Membership follows the person, not the car, so if you’re a passenger or driving a friend’s car when it breaks down, just call us and you’ll get the same service as usual.
We also offer car insurance, home insurance and travel insurance alongside breakdown cover, and bundling policies with us can bring your costs down across the board.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be an AA member to get help when I break down?
No. Call us and we’ll come out to you either way. Members get the cost included in their subscription; non-members pay for the callout at the time. If you’re considering membership, our team can talk you through it once you’re safely on your way.
What’s the safest place to wait on a motorway?
Behind the crash barrier, well back from the hard shoulder and your car, not inside the vehicle and not standing next to it. If you’re stuck in a live lane and can’t reach the hard shoulder, stay belted in, put your hazards on, and call 999 or 112.
Will the AA fix my car at the roadside or tow it?
Most of the time it’s fixed on the spot. Our patrols fix around 8 out of 10 cars at the roadside. When a repair isn’t possible there and then, we’ll tow you to a garage or another suitable destination.
Does AA Membership cover me in someone else’s car?
Yes. Cover follows you as a person, not your vehicle, so you’re covered as a driver or passenger in any car, provided the membership type includes passenger cover.
What should I do if my EV breaks down?
Follow the same safety steps as any breakdown. If you’ve run out of charge, we’ll tow you to the nearest charge point rather than charging you at the roadside. If it’s a fault, our patrols will try to diagnose and fix it on the spot first.
Getting back on the road
A breakdown is never convenient, but it doesn’t need to throw off your whole day. Get safe, get in touch, and let us take it from there, whether you’re a member or not.
Broken down right now? Report it through the AA app or call us and we’ll get moving.
