Breaking Down in Dublin — What to Do First
Breaking down in Dublin can be stressful, especially on a busy road or motorway. Knowing what to do beforehand makes the situation much easier to handle. Follow these steps to stay safe and get help as quickly as possible.
Step 1 — Get Your Car to Safety
If you feel your car losing power, making unusual noises or otherwise behaving oddly, try to get to a safe position before you stop completely:
- On a motorway or dual carriageway: pull over to the hard shoulder as far left as possible
- On a city road: pull over to the left and as far off the live lane as possible
- In a car park: move to a quiet corner away from traffic flow
- Avoid stopping on bends, hills or narrow roads if at all possible
Step 2 — Switch On Your Hazard Lights
As soon as you stop, switch on your hazard warning lights. This is one of the most important things you can do — it alerts other drivers to your presence and gives them time to react. Keep them on the entire time you're broken down at the side of the road.
Step 3 — Get Yourself and Passengers to Safety
If you're broken down on a motorway or a fast road, getting out of the car can be dangerous — but so can staying in it. Follow this guidance:
- Exit the car from the passenger-side door if you're on the hard shoulder
- Move well away from the carriageway — behind the barrier if there is one
- Keep children and pets with you and away from the road
- Don't stand behind the car or between the car and oncoming traffic
- On a quiet road or in a car park, it may be safe to stay in the car with your seatbelt on
Step 4 — Call for Help
Once you're in a safe position, call for assistance. Have the following information ready:
- Your exact location — road name, junction number, or nearby landmark
- Your vehicle make, model and colour
- What happened — what you noticed before breaking down
- How many people are with you
Call Dublin Tow on 085 820 8677 and we'll dispatch the nearest driver to you. We'll give you an accurate ETA and advise you on anything else to do while you wait.
Step 5 — Wait Safely
While you wait for the tow truck:
- Stay away from the road — remain behind barriers if on a motorway
- Keep your hazard lights on
- Keep your phone charged and close by
- If it's dark, wear high-visibility clothing if you have it
- Don't attempt repairs at the side of a fast road — it's not worth the risk
Broken down in Dublin? Call Dublin Tow now — we'll be with you in around 30 minutes.
Call 085 820 8677Breaking Down in Dublin — Common Questions
If you're on the hard shoulder of the M50 and it's safe to exit via the passenger-side door, it's generally safer to exit and stand behind the barrier. If you stay in the car, keep your seatbelt on. The hard shoulder on the M50 can be dangerous — move away from the car as quickly as it's safe to do so.
If you break down in a live lane, switch on your hazard lights immediately and try to reach an emergency refuge area if at all possible. If you can't move, stay in your car with your seatbelt on, call 999 and then call Dublin Tow. The Gardaí will manage traffic while you wait for recovery.
A warning triangle is not a legal requirement in Ireland, but it's recommended to carry one. If you place a triangle, put it at least 50 metres behind your vehicle on a motorway. Never place a triangle or walk on a motorway hard shoulder if it's unsafe to do so — your hazard lights are more important.
Dublin Tow's average response time is around 30 minutes anywhere in Dublin. When you call, we'll give you a real ETA based on your location and our nearest available driver.