What to Do If You're Locked Out of Your Car

Locking your keys in the car is one of the most common roadside calls we handle, and it’s almost always resolved quickly and without damage. Here’s what to do.

1. Check the Obvious First

Before calling anyone, check every door and the trunk — sometimes one door is unlocked even if the others aren’t. If you have a spare key at home or with someone nearby, that’s often faster than a service call, provided you can safely get to it or have someone bring it to you.

2. Assess Your Location’s Safety

Where you’re locked out changes what you should do next:

• Parking lot or driveway: No urgency beyond inconvenience. Find shade if it’s hot, especially if a pet or anything perishable is inside the vehicle, and call dispatch.
• Highway shoulder: This is a different situation. If you’re locked out after pulling over on a highway shoulder, treat it like a breakdown — hazard lights on, get as far from the traffic lane as safely possible, and stay clear of the roadway while you wait.
• Running vehicle locked with someone or a pet inside: Call 911 first if there’s any immediate danger (extreme heat, a child locked inside) — emergency services can often force entry faster than a standard lockout call, and safety takes priority over avoiding vehicle damage in that scenario.

3. Call Dispatch

Give your exact location, vehicle make/model, and whether the vehicle is running or off. If you have a AAA membership or a manufacturer roadside program, mention it — some memberships cover lockout service at no additional charge.

4. What Happens When the Operator Arrives

Non-destructive entry tools (inflatable wedges and a slim jim-style rod, or specialized tools depending on your vehicle) open most modern vehicles in a few minutes without damaging the door, window, or lock mechanism. Older vehicles or those with less common locking mechanisms can occasionally take longer. Have your ID and something proving ownership (registration, insurance card) ready — operators will confirm the vehicle is yours before opening it, which is a normal and expected part of the process, not a delay tactic.

5. Prevent It Next Time

A cheap magnetic key box hidden on the vehicle’s frame, a spare key given to a trusted person nearby, or enrolling in a phone-based digital key system (available on many newer vehicles) are all low-effort ways to avoid a repeat lockout. If lockouts are a recurring problem, it may be worth having a locksmith cut a spare key specifically to keep in your wallet or bag rather than only on your keyring.

What It Costs

Lockout service is a standard roadside call, generally in the same $50–$100 range as a jump-start or tire change — see our full towing cost breakdown for more detail on pricing factors.