What to Do If You're Locked Out of Your Car

Realizing the keys are on the wrong side of a locked door is frustrating on a normal day and genuinely scary if a child or pet is still inside. The right response depends a lot on which situation you're actually in.

1. Try every door and the trunk

   It's not unusual for one door, or the trunk release, to still be unlocked even when the rest of the car is sealed up.

2. Call 911 first if a child or pet is inside on a hot day

   That's not a situation to wait on a locksmith for. It's an emergency, full stop.

3. Think about where a spare key might be

   A family member's house, a hidden spot at home, or a manufacturer app that can remotely unlock the car.

4. Skip the coat-hanger trick on anything recent

   Modern door and alarm systems are easy to damage with improvised entry methods that used to work fine on older cars.

5. Call a licensed locksmith or lockout service

   Bring your registration or ID so you can prove ownership on the spot.