Breaking down on a motorway: Highway Code rules 275 to 280

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Five questions on breakdowns, rules 275 to 280

Question 1 of 5

1. When may you stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway?

   • A To make a phone call
   • B In an emergency Right
   • C To check your route
   • D To take a rest

   The right answer is B: In an emergency

   WhyYou must not stop on the hard shoulder except in an emergency, or when told to by the police, traffic officers, an emergency sign or red flashing lights. Do not stop to make or take phone calls.

   Source: The Highway Code, rule 271

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2. Your car breaks down in a live lane and you cannot get out safely. What does the Highway Code say to do?

   • A Get out and walk to the verge
   • B Stay in the car with seat belts and hazard lights on, and call 999 Right
   • C Put a warning triangle behind the car
   • D Try to push the car to the side

   The right answer is B: Stay in the car with seat belts and hazard lights on, and call 999

   WhyIf you cannot get to the left or exit safely, stay in your vehicle, keep seat belts and hazard lights on, and call 999 for the police. Do not put a warning triangle on the carriageway.

   Source: The Highway Code, rule 277

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3. After a breakdown at night, which clothing does the Highway Code advise you to wear?

   • A Reflective clothing Right
   • B Dark clothing without reflective strips
   • C Any coat, whatever its visibility
   • D Fluorescent clothing without reflection

   The right answer is A: Reflective clothing

   WhyWear reflective clothing after a breakdown at night or in poor visibility.

   Source: The Highway Code, rule 276

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4. A box falls from your car onto a motorway. You reach a place of relative safety. What should you do about the box?

   • A Wait for a gap, then walk back and collect it
   • B Leave it in place and call 999 Right
   • C Ask a passenger to retrieve it while you watch traffic
   • D Reverse along the motorway until you reach it

   The right answer is B: Leave it in place and call 999

   WhyLeave motorway obstructions for the emergency services; stop somewhere relatively safe and call 999.

   Source: The Highway Code, rule 280, The Highway Code, rule 263

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5. You have stopped in an emergency area on a motorway. How should you rejoin the carriageway?

   • A Use the emergency telephone and follow the operator's advice Right
   • B Build up speed and pull straight out when clear
   • C Signal and join as soon as you see a small gap
   • D Drive along the hard shoulder until traffic clears

   The right answer is A: Use the emergency telephone and follow the operator's advice

   WhyFrom an emergency area you must use the emergency telephone and follow the operator's advice to rejoin.

   Source: The Highway Code, rule 278

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The rule in plain words

If your car develops a problem, try to stop somewhere you are less likely to be hit by moving traffic: the Highway Code calls this a place of relative safety (rule 275). On a motorway the safest is a service area. Lay-bys, emergency areas and hard shoulders also count, but a hard shoulder gives less protection because it is so close to fast traffic.

On a motorway, rule 277 gives three steps:

1. Go left. Move into the left lane and stop in an emergency area or on the hard shoulder if you can, as far left as possible, with your wheels turned left. Switch on your hazard lights, and your sidelights if it is dark or visibility is poor.
2. Get safe. Get out on the side away from traffic if it is safe, with your passengers, and wait behind the safety barrier. Do not go back to the car, even if it is cold or raining. Do not try to fix it, and do not put a warning triangle on a motorway.
3. Get help. Use the free emergency telephone or call a breakdown service. If you have not stopped near an emergency telephone, call 999 straight away and ask for the police. If you cannot get out safely, stay in the car with your seat belt and hazard lights on and call 999 for the police.

In the Highway Code’s words: “DO NOT attempt repairs on your vehicle”.

What rules 275 to 280 say

What it means in practice

You break down in a live lane and cannot reach the left

Stay in the car with your seat belt and hazard lights on, and call 999 straight away to ask for the police. If your car has an SOS button you can press that instead (rule 277).

You need to tell them where you are

Press the SOS button if your car has one, use a map app on your phone, or read out the numbers and letters on the marker posts or driver location signs at the side of the road (rule 277).

A box falls off your roof rack

On a motorway or another high-speed road, do not go back for it. Stop in a place of relative safety and call 999. On other roads, move an obstruction only if it is safe to do so (rule 280).

Common mistakes

• Waiting in the car on the hard shoulder. If you can get out safely, get out on the side away from traffic and wait behind the barrier.
• Standing between the car and the traffic. If another vehicle hits your car, it could be pushed into you.
• Putting out a warning triangle on the motorway. Never on a motorway. On other roads, at least 45 metres behind the car.
• Pulling out of an emergency area without calling. You must use the emergency telephone and follow the operator’s advice.
• Stopping on the hard shoulder to make a phone call. Only in an emergency (rule 271).

Questions about breaking down

What should you do if you break down on a motorway?

Go left, get safe, get help: move to the left and stop in an emergency area or on the hard shoulder, get out away from traffic and behind the barrier if it is safe, then use the emergency phone or call for help. Source: rule 277.

Should you stay in your car if you break down?

Only if you cannot get to the left or cannot get out safely. Then keep your seat belt and hazard lights on and call 999 for the police. Source: rule 277.

How far behind should a warning triangle go?

At least 45 metres (147 feet) behind your car, on the same side of the road. Never use one on a motorway. Source: rule 276.

What should you wear after a breakdown at night?

Reflective clothing at night or in poor visibility, and light-coloured or fluorescent clothing in daylight. Source: rule 276.

Read next

• Incidents, accidents and emergencies theory test questions
• Red X signs and smart motorways: rules 258 to 270
• Joining, lanes and leaving: rules 259 to 274
• Motorway rules quiz

Sources

(3)

1. The Highway Code: breakdowns and incidents (rules 275 to 287), GOV.UK. Checked 4 November 2026.
2. The Highway Code, rule 277 (motorways), GOV.UK. Checked 4 November 2026.
3. The Highway Code, rule 271 (stopping on a motorway), GOV.UK. Checked 4 November 2026.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Quotes from The Highway Code are Crown copyright. Sources and image credits.