You are locked out of your car in an area that makes you uncomfortable. The goal right now is not just to get back in your car. It is to stay safe while you do it.
> **Quick Answer:** Get off the street immediately. Step into a nearby open business, stay visible, and call a locksmith or roadside assistance. Do not try to break in yourself. Do not stand by the car alone if the area feels threatening. Keep your phone in your hand and stay on the line with someone until help arrives.
## What To Do
1. **Move to a safer position first.** Do not stand next to your locked car on the sidewalk or in a parking lot if you feel exposed. Walk into the nearest open business: a convenience store, fast food restaurant, gas station, or lobby. Tell them what happened. Most businesses will let you wait inside.
2. **Call for help from inside.** Once you are somewhere safer, make your calls. Your options in order:
- Roadside assistance through your insurance or a membership like AAA
- A local licensed locksmith
- A tow truck service that offers lockout help
If you do not have roadside assistance, [a basic locksmith call-out typically runs $50 to $100](/locked-keys-in-car-who-to-call-cheapest-option/) depending on time of day and your city.
3. **Call 911 if you feel you are in immediate danger.** A lockout is not a police emergency on its own, but if someone is threatening you or following you, call 911 right now. Officers can also run a plate check on your car and confirm you are the owner if there is any question.
4. **Do not try to break into the car yourself.** A slim jim or wedge tool requires training. Done wrong, you damage the door seal, the window frame, or the lock linkage. More importantly, someone watching you try to break into a car may not know it is yours. That creates a different problem entirely.
5. **Stay on the phone with someone.** Call a friend, a family member, anyone. Stay on the line. Tell them your exact location. If something goes sideways, they know where you are.
6. **Give the locksmith your exact address before they arrive.** When the tech is close, step outside only to meet them at the car. Go back inside until you see their vehicle. Confirm their name and company name match what you were given when you booked.
7. **Once you are back in, leave.** Do not sit in the car with the door open to organize yourself. Lock the doors, start the engine, and drive to a well-lit area before you do anything else.
If you were locked out because your battery died and the electronic locks failed, that is a different situation. Read [Car Doors Won't Unlock Battery Dead Stranded Inside](/car-doors-wont-unlock-battery-dead-stranded-inside/) for that specific fix.
*Photo: Pexels*
## What It Might Cost
| Service | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Locksmith, standard hours | $50 to $100 |
| Locksmith, after hours or weekend | $100 to $150 |
| Roadside assistance (if you have it) | $0 to a small co-pay |
| Tow truck with lockout service | $75 to $125 |
If you do not have cash or a debit card on you, confirm before booking that the provider accepts credit cards. Many mobile locksmiths and tow services do, but it is worth asking upfront. [Some tow and roadside services take credit card payment on the spot](/tow-truck-near-me-accepting-credit-card/) if you need that option.
*Photo: Pexels*
## Stay Safe
- Stay in a lit, occupied space until your locksmith is physically in front of you
- Share your live location with someone you trust before you step back outside
- If you use a ride-share app, book a ride to a safer area first and come back with help if needed
- Avoid telling strangers around you that you are locked out. That information is not useful to share in an uncertain environment
- Trust your instincts. If the area feels actively dangerous, call 911 and wait for police before you worry about the car
The car can be dealt with. You cannot be replaced.
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*Need roadside help? Visit [Tow With The Flow](https://towwiththeflow.com/locked-out-of-car-in-bad-neighborhood-what-to-do/) for real answers when your car breaks down.*
Locked Out of Car in Bad Neighborhood: What to Do Right Now
Photo: Pexels