What To Do When Your Car Breaks Down On The Road?

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Learn what to do if your car breaks down in the UAE. Step-by-step guide covering safety tips, emergency numbers, roadside assistance, and prevention tips for drivers in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and across the Emirates.

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What To Do When Your Car Breaks Down On The Road?

By Punith Bharadwaj September 7, 2025 , 6 Min Read Car Breakdown, Car Repairs, Guide What To Do When Your Car Breaks Down On The Road?

Car breakdowns can be stressful, especially on busy highways or in the desert heat. Knowing what to do can keep you safe and ensure you get help quickly. Here’s a clear step-by-step guide for drivers in the UAE.

In the UAE, if your car breaks down, prioritize safety by pulling over, activating hazard lights, and placing a warning triangle. Then, call for roadside assistance using emirate-specific numbers or your insurance provider, providing precise location details. Finally, wait patiently for help, staying inside the car if near traffic and avoiding self-repairs unless it's a simple fix in a safe location.

The first step is safety. Pull over to the right-hand shoulder or emergency lane. Switch on your hazard lights immediately. If you have a warning triangle, place it 45–60 metres behind your vehicle to alert oncoming drivers.

Always stop in a safe spot, ideally on the shoulder or emergency bay. On desert roads, remain inside the car with windows slightly open. In cities, exit carefully from the passenger side if it is unsafe to stay in the vehicle.

You can assess the problem only if it’s safe. Common causes include a flat tyre, overheating, or a dead battery. Never attempt complicated repairs on busy roads. Your safety should come before any quick fix.

Each emirate has dedicated services:

You can also contact your insurance company or private roadside assistance providers for towing, fuel delivery, or jump-starts.

Give clear details when requesting help. Mention the road name, direction, nearest exit, kilometre marker, or any visible landmarks. Enabling GPS on your phone will help recovery teams reach you faster.

Stay calm and stay safe. If near traffic, remain inside the car with your seatbelt on. Use reflective jackets if stepping out. In desert areas, protect yourself from heat, stay hydrated, and avoid draining your phone battery. During the summer, extreme heat can impact both you and your vehicle. Here’s whether cars can really melt in GCC heat and how to prepare.

Unless it’s something simple and safe, like replacing a tyre in a secure spot, leave it to professionals. Roadside recovery teams are trained to handle breakdowns while following proper safety rules.

Yes, in some cases. If your breakdown leads to an accident or blocks traffic, a police report may be required. This is also important for insurance claims and repairs at approved workshops. For more details, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to report an accident in the UAE.

Prevention is always better than cure:

EVs may not face issues like overheating engines, but breakdowns can still happen. Common problems include a drained battery, charging errors, or system faults. Switch on hazard lights, stop safely, and call roadside assistance trained for EV recovery. Heat can also affect EV batteries. Learn how to protect EV batteries during Dubai’s summer heat.

No. EVs should not be towed with their drive wheels on the ground, as this can damage the motor. They must be transported on a flatbed truck. Always inform roadside assistance that your vehicle is electric.

If your EV’s battery drains completely, call your insurer or roadside recovery service. Some providers in the UAE offer mobile charging or towing to the nearest charging station. Plan trips carefully to avoid this situation.

Along with the usual kit, EV drivers should carry:

This ensures more flexibility if you face charging issues on the road.

Breaking down in the UAE can feel overwhelming, but staying calm and following the right steps ensures your safety. Prioritise hazard lights, call for help quickly, and wait for professionals. With proper car care and preparation, you can reduce the chances of facing such emergencies.

Find the best used cars for sale in the UAE.

Stay tuned to UAE’s most popular auto blog for more information about the latest happenings in all of the Emirates.

Pull over safely, turn on hazard lights, and place a warning triangle. Call the police or roadside assistance for help. Stay inside if traffic is heavy.

Yes. In Dubai, call 901 or 999 for emergencies. In Abu Dhabi, call 800 88888 for free road patrol assistance, or 999 if required.

Not always. Minor fixes like changing a tyre may be possible in safe areas, but it’s best to wait for roadside recovery teams for safety reasons.

Carry water, a warning triangle, a torch, a reflective jacket, a mobile charger, and a sunshade. These essentials help in both city and desert breakdowns.

Service your car every 3–6 months, check tyres and fluids regularly, and maintain your battery. Preventive care greatly reduces the chance of sudden breakdowns.

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