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Before a long journey

Build a useful car emergency kit.

Plan for being visible, keeping a phone working and staying comfortable while professional help is on its way—not for attempting a dangerous roadside repair.

Built from current public guidance

GOV.UK recommends carrying items such as a torch, phone charging, warm clothing or blankets, high-visibility clothing, jump leads, food and drink, a first-aid kit and weather equipment when appropriate.

01

Be visible and find what you need

Keep visibility items somewhere passengers can reach without standing in moving traffic.

02

Keep a phone usable

A charged phone helps you contact recovery or emergency services and communicate your location.

03

Prepare for weather and a long wait

Cold, heat and an unexpectedly long delay can become the immediate problem even when the vehicle is safe.

04

Vehicle restart and tyre preparation

Use equipment only where it is safe, suitable for the vehicle and permitted by the manufacturer.

A warning triangle is not for motorways

The Highway Code says never to use or place a warning triangle on a motorway. On other roads, Rule 276 describes careful placement at least 45 metres behind a broken-down vehicle when it is safe to do so.

If the car stops

The kit comes after getting safe.

  1. Try to stop in a place of relative safety and switch on hazard warning lights where appropriate.
  2. Exit away from traffic only when it is safe, and keep passengers well away from moving vehicles.
  3. If you cannot reach the left lane or exit safely on a motorway, stay belted in the vehicle with hazards on and call 999.
  4. Do not attempt repairs on a motorway carriageway.
Read Highway Code rules 275–278
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Primary sources

Check the official guidance

Highway Code: breakdowns and incidentsRules 275–287 · GOV.UK ↗Highway Code: adverse weatherRules 226–237 · GOV.UK ↗Prepare: transport disruption and delaysUK Government preparedness guidance ↗Reviewed 9 September 2026. Official guidance can change; follow current signs and emergency-service instructions.