The Safest Ways to Wait for a Tow Truck at Night

Why Nighttime Breakdowns Are Riskier

Waiting for a tow truck at night combines low visibility with faster-moving traffic and fatigued or impaired drivers. Practicing tow truck safety after dark is about making yourself visible, getting to a safe place, and communicating clearly so help can locate you quickly. The following roadside safety tips cover how to wait for a tow truck safely and reduce risk while you wait.

Step-by-Step: What to Do Immediately

1. Pull over safely. Signal, then steer to the right shoulder or the nearest safe exit, parking lot, or well-lit area. Avoid stopping on curves, just over hills, or near blind spots. If you can’t get off the lane, stop as far to the right as possible.
2. Turn on hazard lights. Switch on your hazard flashers right away to alert approaching drivers. Keep low beams on if they make your vehicle more visible without blinding others.
3. Secure the vehicle. Set the parking brake and point your front wheels away from traffic. If you’re on a slope, use wheel chocks if you have them.
4. Decide where to wait. If you’re safely on the shoulder, it’s usually best to stay inside the car with seatbelts fastened. If you’re stuck in a travel lane or smell smoke, see flames, or suspect a fuel leak, exit immediately on the side away from traffic and move to a safe spot behind a barrier, never in front of or behind your vehicle.
5. Call for help. If anyone is injured, you’re blocking a lane, or you feel unsafe, call emergency services. Then contact your roadside assistance provider or towing company. Share your exact location and a clear description of what happened.
6. Share precise location details. Give mile markers, exit numbers, nearby landmarks, or GPS coordinates from your phone. Most map apps can share your live location to speed tow truck arrival.

Make Yourself Visible: Hazard Lights and Flares

Visibility is your best defense when waiting for tow truck help at night. Combine multiple signals so drivers can see you in time to move over.

• Hazard lights: Keep them on the entire time.
• Reflective triangles/LED beacons: Place three if you have them. As a general guideline on straight, flat roads, position them approximately 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet behind your vehicle on the shoulder facing oncoming traffic. Increase distances and add one farther back if you’re near a curve or hill. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Flares: Use only where permitted and safe. Keep flares away from dry grass, spilled fuel, or other flammables. If uncertain, use battery-powered LED flares or beacons instead.
• Reflective gear: If you must exit, wear a reflective vest and use a flashlight set to strobe mode to increase visibility.

Where to Wait: Inside or Outside?

For most nighttime breakdowns, staying inside the vehicle with your seatbelt fastened is the safest option. Your vehicle offers protection if another driver drifts onto the shoulder. However, if your car is in a live lane, showing signs of fire, or leaking fuel, get out immediately on the side away from traffic, move up and away from the roadway, and wait behind a guardrail or solid barrier if one is nearby.

Keep children and pets secured. Do not stand between guardrails and your vehicle, and never stand between two vehicles.

Stay Alert and Protect Yourself

• Lock up: Keep doors locked and windows mostly up. Speak through a cracked window if someone approaches.
• Verify helpers: Do not accept unsolicited tows. Confirm the company name, truck number, and the driver’s name your provider gave you before allowing service.
• Mind valuables: Stow bags, laptops, and luggage out of sight.
• Use lights wisely: Keep interior lights off to preserve night vision; use a flashlight for any checks.
• Conserve power: Dim the screen and plug your phone into a charger or power bank so you can stay reachable.
• Know local laws: Many places have “Move Over” laws requiring drivers to change lanes or slow down for disabled vehicles and tow operators. Still, don’t assume others will move—maintain distance from traffic.

Communicate Clearly With the Tow Operator

• Provide identifiers: Share your vehicle’s make, model, color, and license plate.
• Location details: Give mile markers, direction of travel, nearest exit, landmarks, or GPS coordinates.
• Describe the issue: Flat tire, dead battery, overheating, collision, or “unknown.”
• Special circumstances: Low clearance, all-wheel drive, blocked wheels, or a loaded trailer help the dispatcher send appropriate equipment.
• Confirm ETA and meeting point: Ask where they want you to wait and how they’ll identify themselves on arrival. Update them if your situation changes.

Weather and Environment Tips

• Rain or fog: Use hazards and low beams; avoid high beams in fog. Increase triangle distances.
• Snow and ice: Stay well off the roadway. Clear the tailpipe of snow before running the engine to avoid carbon monoxide buildup.
• Extreme cold: If you need heat, run the engine periodically (for example, 10 minutes each hour) with the tailpipe clear and a window slightly cracked. Bundle up with blankets and layers.
• Extreme heat: Hydrate, crack windows if safe, and use sunshades. Limit engine idling if temperatures and coolant levels are a concern.
• Rural or unlit roads: Deploy extra LED beacons, keep your phone’s location services on, and share live location with a trusted contact.

Nighttime Breakdown Checklist

• Signal and pull to a safe, visible spot.
• Turn on hazard lights; keep low beams if helpful.
• Set parking brake; turn wheels away from traffic.
• Place reflective triangles or LED flares behind your vehicle.
• Decide to stay inside buckled up or move behind a barrier if unsafe.
• Call roadside assistance; share exact location and vehicle details.
• Lock doors; verify any tow operator before accepting help.
• Keep phone charged and share your live location with a trusted contact.
• Prepare for tow truck arrival safety: keep passengers clear, follow instructions.

What to Keep in an Emergency Roadside Kit

• Reflective triangles and/or LED flares
• High-visibility reflective vest and flashlight with extra batteries
• First-aid kit and basic medications
• Portable phone charger/power bank and charging cables
• Jumper cables or a jump starter
• Tire inflator and sealant, tire pressure gauge, lug wrench, and gloves
• Basic tool kit (screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench)
• Duct tape, zip ties, and a multipurpose knife
• Water, non-perishable snacks, and thermal blanket
• Rain poncho, warm layers, and hand warmers in cold climates
• Window breaker/seatbelt cutter and a paper list of emergency contacts
• Copies of insurance/roadside assistance details

Tow Truck Arrival Safety

When help arrives, a few habits keep everyone safe and speed up the process.

• Confirm identity: Match the company name, truck number, and driver’s name to what dispatch provided.
• Keep a safe distance: Stand well clear of the roadway, the tow path, and any winch cables or chains under tension.
• Follow instructions: The operator will tell you when to release the parking brake, put the vehicle in neutral, or remove the key. Don’t climb onto the truck unless invited.
• Secure belongings: Remove valuables and any essential items you’ll need after the tow.
• Document condition: If practical, take quick photos of your vehicle before loading.
• Plan the destination: Confirm where the vehicle is going and how you’ll get home or to your next stop.

After the Tow

• Inform family or a trusted contact that you’re safe.
• Share the drop-off location with your repair facility.
• Note the time, location, and the tow company’s details for your records.
• Arrange repairs and, if needed, file an insurance or roadside claim.

Stay Safe Roadside, Night or Day

A car breakdown at night is never convenient, but calm steps, visibility, and clear communication make a big difference. Keep a stocked emergency roadside kit, practice these roadside safety tips, and review this nighttime breakdown checklist so you’re ready if the unexpected happens.

Need help now? Book roadside assistance with your preferred provider to get a verified tow truck on the way and wait with confidence.