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Breaking Down on a Smart Motorway: What to Do

By Axi Recovery October 29, 2026IconBreakdown Safety

If you break down on a smart motorway (a motorway with no hard shoulder, or where the hard shoulder is used as a running lane), try to reach the next exit, a service area or an emergency area. If you have to stop in a live lane, keep your seat belt on, switch on your hazard lights and call 999 straight away.

The Highway Code calls these roads “motorways with no hard shoulder”. National Highways sums up the advice as Go left, Get safe, Get help.

Go left

At the first sign of trouble, signal and move into the left-hand lane. Then aim for, in this order:

  1. the next exit or a service area
  2. an emergency area: a lay-by marked with blue signs and an orange SOS telephone symbol
  3. a lay-by or hard shoulder, if there is one on that stretch

Stop as far left as you can, ideally just past the emergency telephone, with your wheels turned left and your hazard lights on.

Get safe

  • If it is safe, leave by the left-hand door and wait behind the barrier.
  • Don’t go back to the car and don’t try to fix it.
  • Don’t use a warning triangle on a motorway.

If you stop in a live lane

If the car stops and you cannot get off the carriageway, or you can’t get out safely:

  • stay in the vehicle with your seat belt on
  • keep your hazard lights on
  • call 999 and ask for the police, or press the SOS button if your car has one

Traffic officers can close the lane above you. A red X on the overhead signs means a lane is closed because there are people, stopped vehicles or other hazards in it. Other drivers must not drive in a lane marked with a red X (Highway Code rule 258).

Get help

  • In an emergency area, use the emergency telephone or call National Highways on 0300 123 5000.
  • If you can’t get out, or you are not near an emergency phone, call 999.
  • Once you are safe, call your recovery company with the motorway, direction of travel and nearest junction.

Don’t leave an emergency area on your own. National Highways says: “Do not exit an emergency area without speaking to National Highways first.” They may close a lane so you can rejoin safely (Highway Code rule 278).

Broken down on the M25 itself? See what to do if you break down on the M25, including the junctions near Dartford, Brentwood, Upminster and Thurrock.

Before you set off

  • Check fuel, tyres and warning lights before a motorway journey.
  • Save your recovery company’s number in your phone.
  • Keep a reflective jacket where you can reach it without getting out.

Recovery from the motorway

AXI Recovery recovers cars, vans and motorcycles from the M25 and the main roads into Essex and East London, and takes them to any garage or address you choose. See car recovery, van recovery or all the areas we cover.

Once you are safe, call AXI Recovery on +44 7342 850180, 24/7.

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Sources

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