Taking the freeway to your vacation destination, for example, is a very practical option. It saves precious time. But a breakdown can happen at any time. So it's essential to have the right reflexes to ensure your safety and that of other motorists. Here's everything you need to know in the event of a breakdown on the freeway.
Parking and securing the area
On the way to a favorite weekend or vacation destination, there are a number of signs that your car may have broken down, such as abnormal vibrations, lights coming on, or unusual smells and smoke. But don't panic! The first thing to do isturn on your hazard warning lights and park on the hard shoulder, as far to the right as possible.
Then don your safety vest before getting out of the vehicle. Then place the warning triangle at least 30 metres behind the car, unless it represents a danger.
Safety, essential in the event of a breakdown on the freeway
Once the scene has been secured, it's very important for the driver and passengers to get to safety. Never stay inside the vehicle.
The idea is to get as far away as possible from the carriageway, where cars travel at high speed on freeways, to a safe place behind the guardrail.
Alerting emergency services
Motorists using the freeway for work or a weekend trip in France who have a breakdown should use an emergency call box to contact the emergency services. On the other hand, you should avoid using your cell phone, unless it is impossible to access a kiosk. These kiosks, which can be used to contact the freeway company, are geolocated, enabling faster intervention.
When the call is made, the driver is asked to specify his or her position: freeway number, direction of travel, mileage and nature of the breakdown.
Understanding the freeway breakdown process
Only authorized companies can operate on the freeway. They must meet strict criteria, such as having a garage close to the freeway, being available 24 hours a day, having suitable equipment for evacuating the car and its occupants, and having qualified personnel.
Once the call has been made to the emergency stop terminal, the mechanic has 30 minutes to arrive at the breakdown site. If the breakdown lasts longer than 30 minutes, the vehicle must be moved to the nearest parking area, to the breakdown mechanic's workshop or to any other location requested by the driver.
Please note: the rules governing the recovery of vehicles on freeways may vary from one EU member state to another. This is a point to check when planning to cross borders.
Breakdown service rates
Freeway breakdown service rates are set each year by ministerial decree. Since December 1, 2024, four types of service have been regulated for vehicles weighing less than 3.5 tons:
- On-site breakdown service: €148.67 inc. tax (30-minute repair at the breakdown site).
- Towing to a rest area + on-site repair: €148.67 incl. VAT if vehicle ≤ 1.8 tonnes and €183.83 incl. VAT if vehicle > 1.8 tonnes.
- Towing to the breakdown mechanic's garage: same rates as above.
- Towing to a chosen location (max 5 km after exit): same rates as above.
Good to know: for vehicles over 3.5 tons, rates are free and set by the towing company.
These basic rates apply from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. They are increased by 50% between 6pm and 8am, as well as on weekends and public holidays.
Tow truck operators are free to charge extras, such as spare parts, labor beyond the 30 minutes included, and towing beyond 5 km (except to the tow truck operator's garage).
The breakdown mechanic must clearly display his rates in his vehicle and provide a detailed invoice.
Disputes with the breakdown mechanic: what to do?
Motorists who encounter a problem with a breakdown service provider on the freeway can contact the Direction Générale de la Concurrence, de la Consommation et de la Répression des Fraudes (DGCCRF) by visiting the platform SignalConso platform. This will enable them to seek an amicable solution with the professional.
The www.autoroutes.fr website also provides a wealth of useful information for motorists.
