Lexi Webster
Car breakdowns can be dangerous and inconvenient, and they can happen to anyone, anywhere. Whether you're in the middle of the city, parked at home, or on the side of a busy road, it's important to know what to do in case your car breaks down. In Australia, there are several steps you should take to ensure your safety and get the help you need. First, pull over safely to the left-hand side of the road or an emergency lane, turn on your hazard lights, and put up your parking brake. Then, call for roadside assistance from your car insurance provider or a standalone service like RACV Emergency Roadside Assistance or Budget Direct's Roadside Assistance. It's also a good idea to have an emergency kit in your car, including a torch, a first aid kit, a fully charged mobile phone, and a bottle of water.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to call for help | When you're fully stopped safely off the road and away from traffic |
| Who to call | Your car insurance or standalone roadside assistance provider, emergency services, or the state/territory transport department |
| What to do if you break down while driving | Look for the safest place to pull over, turn on your hazard lights, check for traffic, and leave your vehicle from the side away from traffic |
| What to do if you're in a tunnel | Try to exit the tunnel as soon as you safely can; if you can't, pull over into a breakdown bay or the side lane, away from traffic |
| What to do if you're on a highway | Pull over to safety, turn on your hazard lights, put your warning triangle a few metres ahead of your vehicle, and call for highway roadside assistance |
| What to do if you're in the wilderness, the outback, or a remote area | Never leave your vehicle unless you have a map and are certain that help is close by |
| How to prepare for a breakdown | Store emergency essentials in your car, such as a torch, a first aid kit, a fully charged mobile phone, a phone charger, a bottle of water, a high-visibility vest, and a satellite phone or personal location beacon |
| How to prevent a breakdown | Regularly check your fuel, oil, water, tyre pressure, car battery, and radiator tanks; get your alternator checked if the red warning light appears |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare an emergency kit for your car
It is always a good idea to be prepared for any unexpected situations when driving. Preparing an emergency kit for your car can help you deal with a variety of post-breakdown situations until help arrives. Here are some essential items to include in your kit:
Torch and batteries
A torch is a crucial item in your emergency kit, enabling you to see and be seen in low-light conditions. Keep it easily accessible, along with spare batteries, so you can quickly turn it on in an emergency.
First aid kit
A basic first aid kit can be a lifesaver in an emergency. You can purchase a pre-made motoring first aid kit or assemble one yourself. Ensure it includes items such as gloves, antiseptic wipes, band-aids, bandages, gauze, dressing pads, and painkillers. It is also a good idea to familiarise yourself with the contents and consider taking a first aid course to know how to use them effectively.
Mobile phone and charger
A charged mobile phone is essential for calling roadside assistance or emergency services. Remember to pack a compatible phone charger and a fully charged power bank to keep your phone ready for use. If you travel to remote locations with poor mobile service, consider investing in a satellite phone or personal location beacon (PLB) to ensure you can call for help.
Water and non-perishable food
Always keep a few litres of water in your car, whether in bottles or a larger container. If driving to remote areas, bring extra water and some non-perishable food like muesli bars and dried fruit.
Jumper leads
Jumper leads allow you to jump-start your car battery if it's flat and there is another working vehicle nearby. Read your car manual for instructions on how to perform this safely, as incorrect jump-starting can damage your vehicle.
In addition to these essentials, other items to consider for your emergency kit include a fire extinguisher, emergency hammer, high-visibility safety vest, spare tyre and jack, car manual, sunscreen, a towel or blanket, and a warning triangle. Remember to regularly check and replenish your kit, ensuring items like the spare tyre are in good condition and food and water are rotated.
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Stay safe and alert other drivers
If your car breaks down in Australia, safety should be your top priority. Here are some detailed instructions on how to stay safe and alert other drivers:
Firstly, find a safe place to pull over. Move your vehicle as far to the left of the road as possible, preferably to an emergency lane or breakdown lane, to ensure a safe distance from passing motorists and pedestrians. If you're driving on country or regional roads, avoid stopping right after a bend where high-speed limits, poor visibility, and narrow road shoulders can be hazardous. Turn on your hazard lights to indicate car trouble and, if it's dark or visibility is poor, turn on your parking lights as well. If your car has slowed significantly due to mechanical issues, use your hazard lights to warn other drivers.
Once you've pulled over, turn off the engine and engage the parking brake. If you've stopped on a hill, turn your wheels away from the road so your car doesn't roll into traffic if it's hit from behind. In low-visibility conditions, keep your headlights or dome light on to increase visibility for other drivers. If you're on a highway, put a warning triangle a few meters ahead of your vehicle to alert approaching drivers and help them switch lanes safely.
While waiting for assistance, stay inside your vehicle with your seatbelt fastened and doors locked. If you must exit the vehicle, do so from the passenger side or the side furthest from oncoming traffic. Never stand or move between cars, behind cars, or near moving traffic on a busy motorway. If you need to call for help, use your mobile phone, but only after you've stopped safely off the road and away from traffic. If you don't have a mobile phone, look for emergency roadside telephones, which are often spaced along freeways and connect directly to an operator who can assist you.
It's important to be prepared for a breakdown, especially if you're driving in remote areas. Carry an emergency kit in your car, including a torch, a first aid kit, a fully charged mobile phone with the Emergency+ app downloaded, and a phone charger. A high-visibility vest, a satellite phone or a personal location beacon (PLB), and extra water are also recommended. Regularly check your fuel, oil, water, and tyre pressure, including the spare, to reduce the risk of a breakdown.
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Call for roadside assistance
If your car breaks down in Australia, it is important to stay calm and follow the correct procedures. Your first priority should be to get off the road as soon as possible and find a safe place to stop your vehicle. Pull over to the left-hand side of the road or into an emergency lane, and turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers. If you have broken down at night or in poor lighting conditions, also turn on your parking lights. Once you are safely off the road, it is time to call for roadside assistance.
If you have a mobile phone, you can call for roadside assistance from your car insurance provider or a standalone service such as RACV Emergency Roadside Assistance or Budget Direct's Roadside Assistance. Let the operator know your name, vehicle registration, location, and what you believe to be wrong with your vehicle. If you are a member of a roadside assistance programme, they will be able to send out a specialist to help you. If you don't have cover, you can still purchase roadside assistance and use it instantly, although there may be a callout fee. Your state or territory's transport department may also have a breakdown number you can call.
If you don't have a mobile phone, stop near an emergency roadside telephone if possible. These are available along many freeways and connect you directly to an operator who can assist you. If you are in a dire emergency, you can call 000 immediately.
It is a good idea to keep a charged mobile phone with you in the car, along with other emergency essentials such as a torch, a first aid kit, and a bottle of water. If you are travelling to remote locations, it is worth investing in a satellite phone or personal location beacon (PLB) so you can call for help if needed.
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Common causes of breakdowns
Car breakdowns are inconvenient and can sometimes be dangerous. While they can be caused by a variety of factors, some issues are more common than others.
One of the most common causes of car breakdowns is a flat, damaged, or faulty battery. This can be due to leaving your headlights or stereo on while parked, or taking frequent short journeys without giving the engine enough time to properly recharge the battery. Bad clamp connections and corroded terminals are also common issues with batteries. To reduce the chances of battery failure, it is recommended to test your car battery twice a year and keep the battery terminals secure, clean, and free from corrosion.
Another common issue is an overheated engine, which can be caused by low levels of coolant and water or a leak in the cooling system. Overheating can lead to major engine damage, so it is important to stop driving and address the issue as soon as possible.
Tyre problems, such as punctures or incorrect tyre pressure, can also cause breakdowns. It is important to regularly check tyre pressure and condition, including the spare tyre, and adjust the pressure when carrying heavy loads.
Other common causes of breakdowns include misplaced or locked-in keys, starter motor problems, and leaking cylinder head gaskets. To prevent these issues, it is important to maintain your vehicle properly, keep fluid levels topped up, and have your car serviced regularly by a professional.
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What to do when your car breaks down in the wilderness
If your car breaks down in the wilderness, your priority should be to ensure your safety and that of your passengers and other road users. Here is what you should do:
Pull Over Safely
If your car is still moving, find a safe place to pull over and stop your vehicle. Move as far to the left of the road as possible, preferably in an emergency lane or a breakdown lane, to stay away from passing motorists and pedestrians. If you are driving on country or regional roads, avoid stopping your car immediately after a bend where there may be high-speed limits, poor visibility, and narrow road shoulders.
Turn on Your Hazard Lights
Activate your hazard lights to indicate to other drivers that you are experiencing car trouble. If your car breaks down at night or in poor lighting conditions, also turn on your parking lights to increase visibility.
Stay in Your Vehicle
Remain in your vehicle with your seatbelt fastened and your doors and windows locked. Only exit the vehicle from the passenger side or the side furthest from oncoming traffic. Do not stand or move between cars, behind cars, or near moving traffic.
Call for Assistance
Use your mobile phone to call for emergency services or roadside assistance. If you do not have a mobile phone or are in a remote location without service, consider investing in a satellite phone or personal location beacon (PLB) to call for help. If you are near an emergency roadside telephone, use that instead. Your state or territory's transport department may also have a breakdown number you can call.
Prepare an Emergency Kit
It is essential to have an emergency kit in your car, especially when travelling to remote locations. This kit should include essential items such as a torch, a first aid kit, a fully charged mobile phone, a phone charger, a high-visibility vest, water, extra fuel, essential spare parts, and spare tyres.
Remember, safety is the top priority when your car breaks down in the wilderness. Stay calm, follow these procedures, and wait for assistance to arrive.
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Frequently asked questions
First, try to find a safe place to pull over, preferably an emergency lane or the hard shoulder, parking as far to the left as possible and away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights and, if it's dark, your parking lights. Stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt on and call roadside assistance.
If you're on a motorway, it's important to get off the road as soon as you realise something is wrong. If you can't exit, pull over on the hard shoulder, as far from traffic as possible. Exit the vehicle away from traffic and wait behind crash barriers for assistance.
If you break down in a remote area, never leave your vehicle unless you have a map and are certain that help is close by. Make sure you have a satellite phone or personal location beacon (PLB) so you can call for emergency services if needed.
If you break down in the middle of traffic and can't get your vehicle off the road, call VicRoads' Incident Response Service on 131 170 for immediate help. Once you're safe, call your roadside assistance provider.
To reduce the risk of a breakdown, check your fuel, oil, water and tyre pressure regularly. Store emergency essentials in your car, including a torch, first aid kit, high-visibility vest, fully charged mobile phone, phone charger, and a bottle of water.
