What to Do When You Lock Your Keys in Your Car

If a child or pet is locked inside the vehicle, call 911 immediately. Do not wait on a service call.

Work through the easy options first

• Check every door and the trunk or hatch — one is often unlocked.
• Check whether your vehicle's app can unlock it remotely; many newer cars can.
• Find out whether a spare key is genuinely reachable, not just theoretically nearby.
• If you're in a garage or complex, ask whether management has a policy for this.

Why prying at the window is a bad idea

Modern vehicles route side-impact airbag sensors, wiring and window regulators through the door cavity. Wedge tools and hangers in untrained hands damage weather seals, paint and electronics — repairs that cost far more than the service call you were trying to avoid.

What lockout service can and can't do

Roadside lockout assistance works on many vehicles, but not all of them. Some locking systems, immobilizers and door designs cannot be opened roadside. When you call, expect two questions: the vehicle's year, make and model, and confirmation that the vehicle belongs to you or is in your care. If entry isn't possible, towing to a dealership or locksmith is the fallback.

For lockout help in the Atlanta area at any hour, call (404) 915-3463.