Getting locked out of your car is frustrating — but it is fixable. Here is how to handle a lockout calmly and safely, and how to avoid the next one.
A lockout is a common, ordinary problem. The most important thing is what not to do: resist the urge to force a door or pry a window.
Forcing your way in can cause expensive damage to the door, the lock, or the glass — often costing far more than the lockout itself. There are safer ways back in.
Work through these in order:
One urgent exception: if a child or pet is locked inside, especially in heat or cold, call emergency services right away — do not wait.
A few habits make lockouts far less likely:
A roadside assistance plan typically covers lockout service, so even when prevention fails you are never truly stuck. RMO MyRoadside can dispatch help 24/7.
Check all doors and the trunk, look for a spare or digital app key, and if you cannot get in, call roadside assistance or a locksmith who can open the vehicle without damaging it.
Avoid forcing a door or window — it often causes expensive damage. Use a spare or digital key if you have one; otherwise, call for professional help.
Lockout service is a common roadside assistance benefit. Check your specific plan's terms, but most plans can dispatch help to get you back into your vehicle.
Call emergency services immediately, especially in hot or cold weather. Do not wait — this is an urgent safety situation, not an ordinary lockout.
Stay prepared on the road:
