European Breakdown Advice
The following information is in your European breakdown policy pack, so be sure to take it with you so you have all the relevant information in the event of a breakdown.
What to do if you break down
From breaking down on a motorway in France to items you're strongly advised to carry, here are some essential tips if you break down in Europe.
Before you call anyone
- If possible try and stop in a safe place out of the way of traffic
- Switch on hazard warning lights and sidelights
- Put on your high-visibility jacket where legally required
- Place a warning triangle behind your vehicle in a clearly visible position
- Roads: approximately 30 metres behind
- European Motorways: approximately 100 metres behind
- UK Motorways: do not use a warning triangle as this is illegal for safety reasons
- Get all occupants to a place of safety away from moving traffic.
What to do on a French motorway
Motorways in France are privately managed, so if you break down on a French motorway or motorway service area, the AA cannot send out assistance to you.
- If you can get to an emergency telephone box, please press the button and the police will send assistance to your location.
- If you are using a public phone, please dial 17 or, from a mobile phone, dial 112.
- Once you have been towed off the motorway/service area, call the AA's 24-hour helpline for further assistance.
Please note that since 1 October 2008 it is compulsory in France to travel with a warning triangle and a fluorescent high-visibility vest. Learn more about European driving requirements.
Elsewhere in France or the rest of Europe
Call the AA's 24-hour helpline for assistance. It is important that you contact the AA helpline if you require assistance.
If you contact a garage direct, you'll have to settle their bill and the AA won't be obliged to reimburse you.
If you've had an accident
If you have a road traffic accident, you must supply your motor vehicle insurance details to us when we ask for this information.
You must report the accident to your insurer as instructions for the repair or recovery of the vehicle can only be taken from them.
If you do not supply us with the details of valid motor vehicle insurance when we ask you for this information, we reserve the right not to provide you with assistance.
Please be ready to tell us
- your AA European Breakdown Policy number
It appears on your Statement of Insurance, or your booking reference - your exact location
- a contact telephone number
- your vehicle's make, model and registration number
- your credit card details
These are only required for emergency vehicle hire or if you request the AA to make arrangements on your behalf which are not covered by the policy or if arrangements exceed policy limits
Driving licence
Your driving licence must also be available if the emergency vehicle hire benefit is available and is to be used; the vehicle hire company will expect to see the original driving licence, together with paper counterpart, if you hold a photocard licence.
Always carry your European breakdown policy documents or booking reference.
You will need to quote a valid policy number or booking reference when you contact us for assistance, and we reserve the right to refuse to arrange assistance if you are unable to do so.
European breakdown contact numbers
24-hour helpline calling from the UK, UK mobiles and abroad – 00 800 88 77 66 55
When dialling from within UK always dial 00 800 and not 0800.
When calling don't forget that dialling and ringing tones differ from country to country and that the 00 800 88 77 66 55 number may not work from some telephone networks. If you experience difficulties, please use the following numbers:
- If in France calling on a French landline, call 08 25 09 88 76 or 04 72 17 12 00
- From any other country/UK mobile phones call 00 33 825 09 88 76 or 00 33 472 17 12 00
Call charges and public telephones
Some call service providers may charge for calls to free phone numbers. It may be possible for the AA European Operations Centre to return a call to a mobile or a car phone, but your call service provider may charge you for this call.
You are therefore recommended to use a public telephone if possible. In France, only those phone boxes displaying the blue bell sign can receive incoming calls.*
If you haven't got AA European Breakdown Cover, buy today and get up to 30% off online.
Driving in Europe – a checklist
Be prepared for eventualities. If you're travelling to Europe in your car, we advise you to take the following items with you:
- credit card
(you'll need it to take advantage of the vehicle-hire benefit) - motor insurance certificate/Green Card
(contact your motor insurer before taking a vehicle out of the UK to find out if you need a Green Card or if you wish to upgrade to fully comprehensive insurance) - driving licence
(including paper counterpart if photocard licence) - international driving permit
(where necessary) - your European breakdown cover documents or booking reference
- vehicle registration document or hired/leased certificate
(if applicable), plus letter of authority if vehicle is hired or borrowed. - passport
A spare set of car keys may also be useful, and of course AA European Breakdown Cover.
Other products & services
* Please note that the AA regrets that it cannot reimburse any telephone costs incurred by your party.