Breaking down on the motorway is frightening at the best of times. Doing it at night, in the middle of winter, with rain or ice on the road and headlights flying past at 70mph, is genuinely dangerous. The single most important thing to know is this: your car can be replaced, you cannot. Knowing exactly what to do in those first few minutes keeps you safe until help arrives. K9 Recovery and Transport is on hand 24/7, right across the UK. Any time, any place, any vehicle, any situation.
The first 60 seconds matter most
If you feel a problem developing, do not panic or brake hard. Follow these steps calmly:
- Move to the hard shoulder or, on a smart motorway, an emergency refuge area if you can reach one safely.
- Pull as far left as possible and turn your wheels to the left.
- Put your hazard lights on immediately. In poor winter visibility, keep sidelights on too.
- Exit through the passenger-side doors, away from traffic, and get everyone behind the barrier and up the embankment.
- Leave any pets and, if it is not safe to move a passenger, dial 999.
Winter makes everything harder
Cold, wet tarmac lengthens stopping distances for the traffic around you, spray reduces how well other drivers can see your car, and standing on a freezing verge saps your body heat fast. Wear a coat and, if you have one, a hi-vis vest before you get out. Stay behind the crash barrier, never attempt a repair yourself on a live motorway, and do not stand near the vehicle.
Getting recovered quickly and safely
Once you are safe, call K9 on 07301 118118. Our motorway breakdown recovery service is geared for exactly these high-pressure situations. Tell us the motorway, the direction of travel and the nearest marker post or junction, and we will get the closest of our 3,000 vetted drivers heading your way. Whether it is a car, van, 4×4, EV, motorhome or something heavier, our breakdown recovery team will lift it and get you moving. If it is broken down, we can move it.
What Highways England may do first
On many motorways, traffic officers monitor CCTV and may reach you to make the scene safe or move you to a safer spot. That is about traffic management, not repair or recovery. You still need a recovery operator to actually take you and your vehicle off the network, and that is where we come in, with no membership required and the keenest price in the UK because our drivers compete for the job.
Broken down this winter? Get the keenest price in the UK, fast.
Frequently asked questions
Should I wait in the car on the hard shoulder?
No. The hard shoulder is one of the most dangerous places to sit. Get out via the left-hand doors and wait behind the barrier, up the bank, well away from traffic.
What information do you need when I call?
The motorway number, your direction of travel, and the nearest junction or blue-and-white marker post. That lets us send the closest driver straight to you.
How fast can you reach a motorway breakdown at night?
With drivers spread across the UK, we can usually reach you quickly, even in the small hours. Call 07301 118118 for an honest ETA.
Are you insured for motorway recovery?
Yes, we are fully insured and rated 4.9/5 from over 200 Google reviews. Your vehicle is in safe, professional hands.