Breaking down: what do you do?

What to do if you break down on the motorway?

In short: drive on if you can, otherwise stop as far from traffic as possible, and wait behind the crash barrier. Step by step:

Picture	Step
	1. Drive on to an emergency lay-by, car park, petrol station or exit.
	2. Not possible? Switch on your hazard lights and park on the verge.
	3. Is there a crash barrier? Stop as close to it as you can and turn your front wheels towards the barrier. Keep room to get out on the right.
	4. Get out on the right. Must you get out on the left? First check your mirrors, open the door only when it is safe and walk quickly around the car.
	5. Take everyone behind the crash barrier or as far onto the verge as possible. Preferably wear a high-visibility vest.
	6. Call breakdown assistance from that safe place.

Never cross the motorway. Do not stand in front of, behind or next to the car. A high-visibility vest is not compulsory in the Netherlands, but it helps others see you. Source: Rijkswaterstaat: breakdowns on the motorway.

Verge or hard shoulder: which is safer?

The verge, if you can reach it safely. There you are further from moving traffic. Do not drive onto a steep, soft or blocked verge. You may use the hard shoulder when you break down. It is not a lane for passing a queue.

Driving off again after a breakdown

Only drive again when the car is safe. Check your mirrors and over your shoulder, signal and let all other traffic go first. Do not use the hard shoulder longer than needed. More about joining the motorway is under joining and leaving the motorway.

Who do you call when you break down on the motorway?

Are you safely behind the crash barrier? Then call your breakdown service. Have you stopped on an open rush-hour lane or traffic lane, or is there other acute danger? Then call 112. For another unsafe situation on the motorway, call Rijkswaterstaat: 0800-8002.

Say where you are: the road number, the direction and the number on the nearest hectometre post. Cannot get out safely? Call 112 straight away and follow the instructions.

Placing a warning triangle: how far and when?

Place the warning triangle about 30 metres behind your car, clearly visible to approaching traffic. On an ordinary road, traffic can come from both directions. Then place it on the side where the danger is.

Are your hazard lights on? Then the warning triangle is not compulsory. Using both at the same time is allowed. Without hazard lights you must place a triangle if your car is an obstacle that other traffic cannot see in time. This is in Article 58 RVV.

On the motorway, do not walk along the carriageway to place a triangle if that is dangerous. Your own safety comes first. Whether you must carry a triangle in your car is under vehicle requirements.

Flat tyre on the motorway: what do you do?

Hold the steering wheel firmly and release the accelerator gently. Do not brake suddenly and do not steer sharply. Get the car under control. Then, if it is safe, drive to a good place to stop.

Wheels on a soft verge

Have your right wheels left the road, onto the soft verge? Release the accelerator. Do not brake hard and do not steer sharply back to the left. Only go back onto the road when you drive slowly and it is safe.

Breaking down in a tunnel: what do you do?

Drive out of the tunnel if you can. Then stop on the hard shoulder or in a lay-by outside the tunnel. Not possible? Then do this:

• Switch on your hazard lights and park as close to the tunnel wall as possible.
• Switch off the engine and leave the key in the ignition. Then the emergency services can move your car quickly.
• Get out carefully and do not cross the road. Let your passengers wait against the tunnel wall about 50 metres past the car (in the direction of travel).
• Walk along the wall to the help point and use the emergency phone. Follow the announcements and instructions.

❌ Wrong	✅ Right
Do not wait next to your car. You could be hit there.	Stand about 50 metres past your car, along the tunnel wall. Call from the emergency phone at the emergency post.

Source: Rijkswaterstaat: breakdown, queue, accident or fire in a tunnel.

Fire in a tunnel: what should you do?

Is smoke coming from your own car and can you still drive? Then drive out of the tunnel if you can. Not possible, or is a car on fire further ahead? Then do not drive past the fire, do not turn around and do not reverse.

• Switch on your hazard lights and park as close to the tunnel wall as possible.
• Switch off the engine and leave the key in the ignition.
• Get out with all your passengers, preferably wearing a high-visibility vest.
• Walk along the wall away from the fire to the nearest emergency exit.

Never stay in the tunnel. Smoke spreads fast and is deadly. Do not go back for your belongings.