Breakdown Recovery on the M1, M25 & M40 and Across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire & Bedfordshire

• Leave at the next exit or pull into a service area if you can.
• Otherwise stop on the hard shoulder or in an emergency area, as far left as possible with your wheels turned left.
• Hazard lights on. If it’s safe, leave through the left-hand doors and wait well away from the vehicle and traffic.
• Call National Highways on 0300 123 5000 or use the free emergency telephone. Don’t leave an emergency area without speaking to them first.
• Don’t attempt repairs, and never use a warning triangle on a motorway.

Then call us with your direction of travel and nearest junction or marker post. Official advice: National Highways and the GOV.UK Highway Code.

• Pull into a lay-by or side road if you can, with hazard lights on (sidelights in the dark).
• Wear light-coloured or reflective clothing if you have it, and keep passengers well away from traffic.
• Don’t stand between your vehicle and oncoming traffic.
• Place a warning triangle at least 45 metres behind only if it’s safe to do so.

Tell us the road number, direction of travel, the nearest junction, roundabout or landmark, or send a WhatsApp live location.

This is the easiest recovery. Tell us your postcode and about gates, narrow or steep driveways, low clearance, parked-in vehicles, and whether you have the keys. Say where the vehicle needs to go and any garage opening hours.

Give us the car park name, the level and bay if you can, and warn us about height barriers, payment barriers or tight ramps, as these affect whether the recovery truck can reach you. In a service area, tell us the motorway, direction and service station name.

Call 999 if anyone is hurt or the road is blocked. Once everyone is safe, we can discuss recovery where the vehicle and collection point are safe and accessible. Tell us about any damage to wheels, steering or suspension, leaks, and whether the car still rolls.