Breaking Down in France - What UK Drivers Need to Know 2026
Updated 29 March 2026
Your UK breakdown cover almost certainly does not cover France. Standard RAC, AA, and Green Flag memberships are UK-only. If your car breaks down in France without European cover, you are looking at hundreds or thousands of pounds in costs. Here is how to prepare and what to do if it happens.
Before you travel: get European breakdown cover
This is the single most important piece of advice. Add European cover to your existing breakdown membership or buy a standalone policy:
- RAC European cover — available as an add-on to existing membership
- AA European Breakdown — similar add-on or standalone policy
- Green Flag European — competitive pricing for European trips
- Specialist providers — companies like AXA and Allianz offer standalone European breakdown policies
Cost: typically £30–50 per year or £10–15 for a single trip. Compare this to the cost of a motorway tow in France (starting at €130) and you can see why it is worth having.
What to check in your policy
- Roadside repair — does it cover a mechanic coming to you?
- Towing — how far will they tow your vehicle?
- Onward travel — if the car cannot be fixed, do they provide a hire car or train tickets?
- Repatriation — will they ship your broken car back to the UK?
- Accommodation — if you are stranded overnight, do they cover hotel costs?
- Number of callouts — some policies limit you to one or two callouts per trip
If you break down on a French motorway
Motorway breakdowns are the highest-risk scenario. Follow this procedure:
- Pull onto the hard shoulder as far right as possible
- Switch on hazard lights immediately
- Put on your hi-vis jacket before exiting the vehicle — this is a legal requirement
- Exit from the passenger side (away from traffic)
- Place your warning triangle at least 50 metres behind your vehicle
- Move everyone behind the crash barrier and walk away from the vehicle — do not sit in the car
- Call for help — use the orange emergency phones (every 2km along the motorway) or call 112
Orange emergency phones
These connect you directly to the motorway operator, who will dispatch a tow truck. On French motorways, only authorised breakdown operators are allowed to attend — you cannot call your own provider to come onto the motorway.
The motorway tow costs approximately €130 (set by regulation) and covers towing to the nearest exit or designated garage. From there, your breakdown provider takes over.
If you break down on a normal road
On non-motorway roads, you have more flexibility:
- Pull over safely, hazard lights on, hi-vis on
- Place your warning triangle behind the vehicle
- Call your breakdown provider’s European number
- If you do not have cover, call a local garage or 112 for assistance
Emergency numbers
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| European emergency (police, fire, ambulance) | 112 |
| French police | 17 |
| French fire service (often respond to road incidents) | 18 |
| French ambulance (SAMU) | 15 |
| Your breakdown provider | Save their European number before travelling |
112 works from any phone, including a UK mobile with no French SIM. Operators can handle English calls.
Getting your car home
If your car cannot be repaired in France, you need repatriation:
With European breakdown cover
Your provider arranges transport of the vehicle back to the UK. This is typically included in comprehensive European policies. They may also provide:
- A hire car to complete your journey
- Train or flight tickets home
- Hotel accommodation while arrangements are made
Without cover
You are responsible for:
- Finding a French garage to store the vehicle
- Arranging transport back to the UK (specialist vehicle shipping companies charge £800–3,000 depending on distance)
- Travelling home yourself separately
This is why European breakdown cover is not optional — it is essential.
Common breakdown scenarios in France
- Overheating — long motorway drives in summer heat. Watch your temperature gauge and stop if it rises. Coolant is available at service stations
- Flat tyre — French motorways have hard shoulders but they are narrow. If possible, limp to the next exit or rest area before changing the wheel
- Fuel issues — French diesel pumps are often labelled “gazole” not “diesel”. Misfuelling is common for UK drivers. If you put petrol in a diesel, do not start the engine — call for a drain
- Electrical/battery — hot weather and long drives can kill batteries. Carry jump leads if your car has a traditional battery