Broken down on the motorway

What to do when you break down on a motorway

Switch on the hazard lights straight away and, if you still can, steer as far right as possible: the hard shoulder, an emergency bay or the next exit. Put on a high-visibility vest before you get out, if you have one, and get out on the crash-barrier side. Do not leave anyone in the car. Stand behind the crash barrier with all passengers, well away from the car. If the car is in a live lane, or there is smoke, fire or anyone hurt, call 112.

Hectometre markers: how to tell us where you are

Dutch motorways have numbered hectometre markers every hundred metres. Give us that number together with the road number and your direction of travel, meaning the place you were heading towards. Then we know exactly which side of the road you are on. If you cannot see a marker, name the last exit or junction you passed. On WhatsApp you can also share your live location, which is often the quickest way.

Hard shoulder, peak-hour lane and tunnels

On the hard shoulder, wait behind the crash barrier, never between the car and the traffic. If you are on a road with a peak-hour lane that is open, there is often no hard shoulder on that stretch. Look for an emergency bay or the exit instead. A red cross above a lane means that lane is closed.

In a tunnel, only stop if you truly have to; try to drive out of it. If you cannot, switch on the hazard lights, turn off the engine and follow the signs and the instructions of the tunnel operator. Call 112 if there is danger.

Motorway towing: who moves the car?

If your car is blocking traffic or standing somewhere dangerous, the road authority's road inspector, for example from Rijkswaterstaat, or the police may first have it moved to a safer place. Always follow their instructions. You can call a tow truck for the motorway alongside that or afterwards: we collect the car where it stands or where it was placed, such as a car park beside the road or a yard, and take it to your garage, your home or another address.