Breaking Down on the Motorway: What to Do?

The steps

1. Switch on your hazard lights and coast as far right as you can with the momentum you have. If possible, aim for the next rest area or exit, otherwise the hard shoulder.
2. Put on a hi-vis vest before getting out. Get out on the passenger side, away from moving traffic.
3. Get everyone out and move behind the crash barrier. Don't leave children or pets in the vehicle.
4. Set up a warning triangle, but only if it's safe to do so. On the motorway, a rough guideline is at least 150 metres, more if possible. Walk there from behind the crash barrier.
5. Call for help: 112 if anyone is injured. For a breakdown with no injuries, call a towing service or your automobile club's or insurer's roadside assistance.
6. Don't repair it yourself, and don't change a wheel on the hard shoulder.

Why the order matters

Most serious accidents after a breakdown aren't caused by the breakdown itself, but by what follows: people standing on the hard shoulder, working on the vehicle, or walking around without a hi-vis vest. A vehicle can be replaced, you can't. Leave the car as quickly as possible and get behind the crash barrier.

Distance for the warning triangle

German traffic law (§ 15 StVO) requires a warning sign at a sufficient distance. The figures given are common reference values. Behind a bend or a crest, place the triangle further away.

Reporting your location

What matters is the motorway (e.g. A5), your direction of travel, the last exit, and, if visible, the distance marker on the signs. The arrows on the guide posts point to the nearest emergency phone. On your phone you can share your location via WhatsApp. If you use the emergency phone, you don't need to explain anything: it's connected to a control centre that already knows your location.

Why you can't always choose the towing service

If the police attend, or you've used the emergency phone, a contracted company is often assigned. You can state your preference, but the company doesn't always decide based on it. For a simple breakdown without police involvement, you can choose freely.

Towing from the motorway

When towing a vehicle that has broken down on the motorway, the motorway must be left at the next exit (§ 15a para. 1 StVO). Both vehicles must have their hazard lights on while towing. Motorcycles may not be towed; they must be transported.

Stuck in a traffic jam

In slow-moving traffic, an emergency lane must be formed. A stranded vehicle must not block it. Move as far to the side as you can.

Special cases

• In a tunnel: hazard lights on, engine off, leave the vehicle, head to the nearest emergency point, if it's safe to do so.
• Warning light in the dashboard: for red symbols like oil pressure or coolant, stop immediately, see Warning lights in your car.
• Electric car: if there's smoke or battery damage, keep your distance and call 112. See Towing an electric car.
• With children or pets: get everyone to safety first, then make phone calls.
• At night or in fog: always get behind the crash barrier, wear the hi-vis vest, and make the vehicle as visible as possible.

Detailed help for the A5 between Karlsruhe and Offenburg: Towing Service A5. For Cologne: Cologne Motorway Ring.