If the car breaks down on the motorway, do these 5 steps.

Breaking down on a motorway is always stressful, but when it happens in a foreign country in a hire car, it can feel overwhelming. In Spain, the traffic authorities (DGT) enforce strict, specific safety rules for highway emergencies.

If your car starts losing power, a warning light comes on, or you experience a tyre blowout, you need to act quickly. Following these five practical steps will keep you safe and help you avoid heavy fines.

1. Get out of the live lane

If your car is still moving, do not stop in the middle of the road. Your priority is to get the vehicle out of the flow of traffic.

Aim for the hard shoulder (called the arcén in Spain), an emergency bay, a service area, or the next exit. If you must stop on the hard shoulder, try to avoid stopping in bends, tunnels, or just over the crest of a hill where oncoming drivers cannot see you until it is too late.

2. Make the car visible

As soon as you realise there is a problem, turn on your hazard lights. If it is dark or visibility is poor, turn on the position lights (sidelights) as well.

Before anyone opens a door or steps out of the vehicle, you must put on your reflective high-visibility vest. Keep these vests inside the passenger cabin—such as in the glove box or door pockets—rather than in the boot. You should never step onto the road without wearing one.

3. Get everyone behind the safety barrier

Once the vehicle is stopped and hazard lights are active, all passengers must exit.

Exit through the doors on the right-hand side of the car, away from the active lanes of traffic. Walk immediately to the other side of the safety barrier or to a safe area on the side of the road. Never stand next to the car or behind it near the boot. A stopped car on a highway is a hazard, and standing near it is the most common cause of serious accidents during a breakdown.

4. Do not attempt to repair the vehicle

Do not try to change a flat tyre, check the engine, or perform any repairs on the side of the motorway yourself.

Spanish traffic rules discourage roadside DIY repairs on motorways because of the high risk of being struck by passing vehicles. It is much safer to wait behind the barrier and let professional recovery services handle the vehicle.

5. Call for assistance

Once everyone is safely behind the barrier, it is time to call for help.

If there is an emergency, someone is injured, the car is blocked in a dangerous lane, or there is smoke or fire, call 112 immediately. This is the free European emergency number, and operators speak multiple languages.

If everyone is safe and the car has simply suffered a mechanical failure, call the roadside assistance number provided by your car rental company. This number is typically printed on your rental agreement, your booking voucher, or a sticker inside the car.

When you call, be prepared to give your location. Look for the motorway name (e.g., AP-7 or A-7) and the nearest kilometre marker (kilómetro signposts placed at the side of the road).