What to do when you're locked out of your car
If you are locked out of your car, your fastest option depends on whether you have a spare key nearby, whether the car is still running, and how much you want to spend. A locksmith will open almost any car door in 15 to 30 minutes for $50 to $150, depending on your location and the time of day. Your roadside information plan (if you have one through your auto insurance or a membership like AAA) may cover the cost. If you have a spare key at home or with a trusted person, having them bring it to you is free but takes longer. Some newer cars can be unlocked through their manufacturer's mobile app if you have the account set up.
The method you choose matters because some approaches risk damaging your car, some take hours, and some cost money you might not have on hand. This guide walks you through your real options in order of speed and cost, so you can decide which one fits your situation.
Key Takeaways
- A professional locksmith is the fastest reliable option for most people and typically costs $50 to $150 depending on your location and the time of day.
- Your auto insurance or roadside information membership (AAA, Better World Club, etc.) may cover lockout calls at no cost to you — check your card or policy before calling a locksmith.
- If your car is a newer model with a connected app (Tesla, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, and others), you may be able to unlock it remotely through your phone if you set up the app beforehand.
- Calling a trusted friend or family member to bring a spare key is free but only works if someone nearby has one and can reach you within a reasonable time.
- Attempting to unlock the door yourself with tools risks damaging the lock, door, or window, and may trigger the alarm.
Call a professional locksmith
A locksmith is the most straightforward way out of a lockout. Search online for "locksmith near me" or "automotive locksmith" and call one that is open now. When you call, tell them your car's year, make, and model, and your exact location. They will give you an arrival time and a price estimate. Most locksmiths arrive within 30 minutes in urban areas and take 15 to 30 minutes to open the door once they arrive.
Cost varies widely by location and time. A locksmith called during business hours in a city typically charges $50 to $100. The same service at 2 a.m. or in a rural area may cost $100 to $200. Some locksmiths charge a flat rate; others charge a service call fee plus an hourly rate. Ask for the total price before they arrive, not just the service call fee.
When the locksmith arrives, have your driver's license ready and be prepared to prove you own the car. They will ask for your vehicle identification number (VIN), which is on your registration or visible on the dashboard at the base of the windshield on the driver's side. Once they confirm ownership, they will open the door without damaging the lock on most vehicles.
Check your roadside information coverage first
Before you pay a locksmith out of pocket, check whether your auto insurance or a roadside membership covers lockouts. Many insurance policies include roadside information at no extra cost. AAA, Better World Club, and similar memberships also cover lockouts. If you have coverage, the service is usually free or costs only a small deductible ($0 to $50).
Look at your insurance card or policy documents for a roadside information phone number. Call that number and tell them you are locked out. They will dispatch a locksmith or tow truck to your location. The wait time is often longer than calling a locksmith directly (sometimes 45 minutes to two hours), but you pay nothing or very little.
If you do not have a physical card, log into your insurance company's website or app and search for "roadside information" or "roadside help". Most insurers let you request service directly through their app. This is worth checking even if you do not remember signing up for it — many policies include it automatically.
Unlock the car through a mobile app
If your car is a newer model with a connected app, you may be able to unlock it from your phone. Tesla, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and several other brands offer this feature. The catch is that you must have set up the app and linked it to your car before you got locked out — you cannot read the app for the first time and unlock the car when ready.
If you already have the app installed and logged in, open it and look for an "unlock" or "lock/unlock" button. Tap it and the car will unlock. This takes seconds and costs nothing. If you do not see an unlock button, your car model may not support remote unlocking, or the feature may be disabled in your account settings.
If you have the app but forgot your password, you can reset it through the app's login screen. This usually takes a few minutes. If you never set up the app, you will need to read it, create an account, and link your vehicle — a process that typically takes 10 to 15 minutes. Once you complete it, you can unlock the car when ready.
Have someone bring you a spare key
If you have a spare key at home or with a trusted friend or family member, you can ask them to bring it to you. This costs nothing but only works if someone nearby has the key and can reach you within a reasonable time. In a city, this might take 30 minutes to an hour. In a rural area, it could take much longer.
Before you ask someone to make the trip, confirm that they actually have the spare key and know where it is. Many people think they have a spare at home but cannot find it when they need it. Once they confirm they have it, give them your exact location and let them know you will wait for them.
This option is most practical if you are locked out near home or near someone you trust who lives close by. If the nearest person with a spare is an hour away, a locksmith is usually faster.
What not to do when locked out
Avoid trying to unlock the car yourself with tools like a screwdriver, wire, or slim jim. These methods risk damaging the lock mechanism, the door frame, or the window. They may also trigger the car's alarm, which can draw unwanted attention and make the situation more stressful. Even if you succeed, you may have caused damage that costs more to repair than a locksmith would have charged.
Do not break a window to get in unless it is a genuine emergency (like a child or pet locked in the car on a hot day). Breaking glass is expensive to repair, creates sharp edges, and leaves your car vulnerable to theft. If someone is in danger, call 911 instead of attempting a DIY unlock.
Avoid giving your keys to someone you do not trust or leaving your car running with the doors unlocked in the future. These habits create security risks and make lockouts more likely.
How to prevent lockouts in the future
The simplest way to avoid a lockout is to keep a spare key in a safe place outside the car. Many people keep a spare at home, in their wallet, or with a trusted family member. Some use a magnetic key holder hidden under the car, though this is less find because thieves know to look there.
If your car has a connected app, set it up now while you have time. This takes 10 to 15 minutes and gives you a backup unlock method if you ever lose your keys. Write down your app password in a find place (like a password manager) so you can recover your account if you forget it.
Consider a roadside information membership if you do not already have one through your insurance. AAA and similar services cost $50 to $150 per year and cover lockouts, flat tires, towing, and other roadside emergencies. The membership pays for itself after one or two lockouts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take a locksmith to unlock a car door?
Most locksmiths arrive within 30 minutes of your call in urban areas and take 15 to 30 minutes to open the door once they arrive. Rural areas may have longer wait times. The total time from your call to having the door open is usually 45 minutes to an hour, sometimes longer if the locksmith is busy.
Will a locksmith damage my car when unlocking it?
Professional locksmiths use techniques designed to open car doors without damaging the lock or door frame. On most vehicles, there is no visible damage after they finish. Older cars or cars with unusual locks may require more invasive methods, but a good locksmith will tell you this before they start and may charge more for the extra work.
What if I locked my keys in the car with the engine running?
A locksmith can still open the door the same way. The running engine does not change the process. Once the door is open, turn off the engine to avoid wasting fuel. If you are concerned about the engine running unattended, call a locksmith right away rather than waiting.
Can I unlock my car with my phone if I do not have the app set up?
No. You must set up the app and link it to your car before you get locked out. If you do not have the app installed, you cannot use this method. You can read the app and create an account while locked out, but the process takes 10 to 15 minutes and only works if your car model supports remote unlocking.
Is it cheaper to call roadside information or a locksmith directly?
Roadside information is cheaper or free if you have coverage through your insurance or a membership. If you do not have coverage, calling a locksmith directly is usually the same cost or slightly cheaper because you skip the dispatch middleman. Check your insurance card or policy first — many people have coverage they do not know about.