Emergency Advice
What to Do When Locked Out of Your Car
Being locked out of your car is stressful — but it happens to thousands of drivers every day. This guide walks you through exactly what to do, what not to do, who to call, and how to avoid it in the future.
Need help right now? Call 07988 388514 — we are available 24/7 across Leicester and Leicestershire.
Do not attempt to force entry yourself
Using coat hangers, screwdrivers, or any improvised tool to force entry can crack door seals, scratch paintwork, trigger airbag sensors, and damage the locking mechanism — turning a simple £80 locksmith call into a £500+ repair bill. Specialist non-destructive tools exist precisely because forcing entry causes damage.
Step-by-Step: What to Do
- 1
Assess your immediate safety
Before doing anything else, check whether you are in a safe location. If you are on a motorway hard shoulder, a fast dual carriageway, or anywhere you feel at risk after dark, move away from traffic to a safe position. Your personal safety comes before getting back into the car.
- 2
Check all doors, windows, and the boot
This sounds obvious, but it is worth checking every entry point methodically before calling anyone. Try the passenger door, rear doors, and boot release. Check whether any window is open enough to reach inside. People find their own solution more often than you would expect.
- 3
Locate your spare key
If you have a spare key at home, or a friend or family member can bring one to you, this is often the most cost-effective solution. Consider whether a taxi to collect the spare key and return is faster and cheaper than a call-out depending on your location.
- 4
Check your breakdown or insurance cover
Many comprehensive insurance policies and breakdown memberships (RAC, AA, Green Flag) include lockout assistance. Check your documents or call your provider. Be aware that response times from national breakdown services can be 1–3 hours, and they may not be equipped to handle all scenarios.
- 5
Call a professional auto locksmith
If you need to get back in quickly, or your breakdown cover does not apply, an auto locksmith is the fastest and safest option. Car Locksmith Leicester operates 24/7, typically arrives within 60 minutes across Leicester and Leicestershire, and uses non-destructive tools that cause zero damage to your vehicle.
What NOT to Do When Locked Out
Do not use a coat hanger or wire
The classic TV technique of using a bent coat hanger to hook the door latch works on 1970s cars. Modern vehicles have completely different internal mechanisms, weatherproof seals, and electronics. Sliding wire between the door and frame will damage the seal and likely accomplish nothing useful.
Do not use a wedge and rod kit unless trained
Inflatable wedge kits are sold online and can prise a gap in the door frame — but without training, the gap is very likely to bend the door frame, damage the weatherstrip, or trigger the alarm. These tools require practice and knowledge of each vehicle's door structure.
Do not break a window unless it is an emergency
Breaking a window to retrieve keys is a last resort that should only be considered if there is a genuine emergency (child or pet in immediate danger). A window replacement typically costs £150–£300 and may not be covered by your insurance.
Do not call an untested locksmith from an online directory
Rogue locksmiths operate across the UK, advertising extremely low call-out fees and then charging several hundred pounds once on-site. Always call a locksmith you can verify — check Google reviews, Trustpilot, or ask for a firm price before they attend.
When a Locksmith is the Right Choice
An auto locksmith is typically the fastest, cheapest, and safest solution when:
- You need to get back into your car within the hour
- Your breakdown cover does not include lockout assistance
- You are in a location where a long wait is impractical or unsafe
- Your keys are locked inside and you need the car to move
- You have a broken key in the lock or ignition (requires specialist extraction)
Car Locksmith Leicester covers the full Leicester and Leicestershire area, operating 24 hours a day. We use professional non-destructive entry tools that open modern vehicle locking systems without any damage to paintwork, seals, or electronics. See our car key replacement cost guide if you also need a new key.
How to Prevent Future Car Lockouts
Get a spare key cut
The single most effective prevention. Get a spare key cut and programmed and keep it somewhere accessible — at home, with a trusted family member, or in a small magnetic key box.
Use a key hook at home
A dedicated key hook by the door creates a consistent place to put your car keys every time you enter the house, making it much harder to accidentally leave them inside.
Try a Bluetooth key tracker
Devices like Tile or Apple AirTag attached to your keyring alert you via your smartphone when your keys are out of range — before you lock them inside or lose them.
Make a habit of checking before you close
The simplest habit: whenever you close your car door, pause and physically feel for your keys before it clicks shut. This takes two seconds and prevents the most common lockout scenario.
If you want to get a spare key cut, our car key cutting service covers all makes and models on-site across Leicester and Leicestershire.
Car Lockout FAQs
No — it is not illegal to break into your own car in the UK. However, attempting to force entry can trigger airbag sensors, crack door seals, damage paintwork, and activate the alarm. Attempting entry with tools that look like burglary equipment in a public place could also attract police attention, even if you own the vehicle. A professional locksmith is always the safest and most cost-effective option.
An experienced auto locksmith using specialist non-destructive entry tools can typically gain access to a locked vehicle in 5–15 minutes on-site. The total time from your call to being back inside your car — including travel — is typically under 60 minutes across Leicester and Leicestershire.
Many comprehensive car insurance policies include roadside assistance that covers lockouts. Check your policy documents or call your insurer before paying out of pocket. However, if you need someone urgently and do not have cover, a professional auto locksmith is usually the fastest and most affordable option.
Do not try to start the car or remove the key fragment with pliers — both actions risk pushing the fragment deeper into the barrel or damaging the ignition. Call an auto locksmith immediately. We provide a specialist broken key extraction service that removes the fragment without damaging the lock, followed by on-site key cutting and programming.
This is a genuine emergency. Call 999 first if there is immediate risk to life — police and fire crews can gain access quickly. If the situation is not immediately life-threatening, call Car Locksmith Leicester on 07988 388514 and we will respond as a priority. On hot days, act immediately — temperatures inside a locked car can rise to dangerous levels within minutes.
Locked out right now?
Car Locksmith Leicester — 24/7, typically on-site within 60 minutes, zero vehicle damage.
07988 388514