What to Do If Your Car Breaks Down on a Saudi Highway
Published · Muhammad Sohail
The short answer
Turn on your hazard lights, steer to the shoulder and away from traffic, and get passengers out on the side away from the road, well clear of the car. If anyone is in danger or the car is blocking the road, call 911 first, then request a tow truck and send your live location.
The first minutes: protect yourself before the car
- Turn on your hazard lights straight away, even before you stop.
- Slow down gradually and steer to the right-hand shoulder, away from the traffic lanes. Only stop in a lane if you have no other option.
- Switch off the engine and apply the handbrake. If you are on a slope, turn the wheels away from the road.
- Get passengers out on the side away from traffic, move behind the barrier if there is one, and keep well clear of the car.
If you can’t get out safely
If the car has stopped in a live lane and you can’t leave it safely, stay inside with your seatbelt on and hazard lights flashing, and call 911 immediately. Your safety matters more than the car.
Warning triangle
If you carry a warning triangle and can reach it safely, place it behind the car far enough back to warn approaching drivers. Don’t put yourself at risk to set it up.
What to send the tow driver
The more precise your details, the faster the truck reaches you and the more correctly your car is loaded. Send on WhatsApp:
- Your live location (use “share location”), because a road name alone is often not enough.
- The road name, your direction of travel and the nearest exit or sign.
- Your car’s make and model, and whether it is lowered, modified or a 4x4.
- Whether the car still rolls, or is fully dead or accident-damaged.
- The destination: a workshop, a dealer, home, or another city.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Trying to repair the car on the edge of a highway, with fast traffic passing close by.
- Tow-roping the car behind another vehicle on a highway. It is dangerous and can damage the transmission of some automatic cars.
- Moving the car after an accident before the official procedure is complete. Follow the instructions of traffic police or Najm.
- Leaving the car unattended with valuables inside.
When to call a tow truck instead of fixing it on site
If the problem is the engine, gearbox, brakes, a damaged tyre, a fluid leak, or accident damage, loading the car on a flatbed is the safest option. Starting or dragging the car can make the damage worse.
We take tow requests in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, and move vehicles between Saudi cities. Send your location and vehicle type on WhatsApp and we will confirm availability and price before setting off.
Frequently asked questions
Should I call emergency services or a tow truck first?
If anyone is in danger or the car is blocking the road, call 911 first, then request the tow truck. If you are safely on the shoulder, request the tow truck directly.
Should I stay in the car or get out?
Get out if you can do so safely on the side away from traffic, and move behind the barrier. If the car is in a live lane and you can’t leave safely, stay inside with your seatbelt on and hazard lights flashing.
What information gets a tow truck to me faster?
Your live location on WhatsApp, the road name and direction of travel, your vehicle type, whether it still rolls, and the destination.
Can my car be tow-roped on a highway?
We don’t recommend it. It is dangerous on a highway and can damage the transmission of some automatic cars. Flatbed transport is safer.
Related service: Breakdown recovery