Locked Out of Your Car? Here’s Exactly What to Do

It happens to almost everyone eventually. The door clicks shut, and a second too late, you spot your keys sitting on the seat. Being locked out of your car is stressful, but in most cases it’s also completely fixable — you just need to know the right order of steps.

Here’s a calm, practical walkthrough of what to do, from the first thing to check to when it’s time to call in a professional.

1. Stay Calm and Check for Immediate Safety Issues

Before anything else, take stock of the situation. If a child or pet is locked inside the vehicle, especially in hot or cold weather, treat it as an emergency. Call 911 first — most fire departments and police can get a vehicle open in minutes, and your safety and theirs comes before the car itself.

If there’s no urgent safety risk, take a breath. A car lockout is inconvenient, not a disaster, and rushing tends to lead to mistakes like damaging the door or window seal.

2. Check Every Door and Window

It sounds obvious, but it’s the most commonly skipped step. Walk around the entire vehicle and try every door, plus the trunk if it opens separately. Many people only check the driver’s door and assume the worst. A back door or hatch is sometimes left unlocked, especially after loading groceries or kids in and out of the car.

3. Look for a Spare Key

Next, think through who might have a spare. A family member, roommate, or neighbor may be holding a duplicate. If you keep a hide-a-key box on the vehicle or have one stored at home, now’s the time to use it. This is usually the fastest and cheapest way to resolve a lockout, so it’s worth ten minutes of phone calls before moving on to anything more involved.

4. Try Your Car’s App or Roadside Assistance

Newer vehicles increasingly offer a workaround built right in. If your car has a manufacturer app, such as those from Ford, GM, Toyota, or Hyundai, it may let you unlock the doors remotely from your phone. Additionally, if you have roadside assistance through your insurance, a membership like AAA, or a credit card benefit, a quick call can get a technician dispatched to unlock the car for you, often at no extra cost.

5. DIY Methods: What Actually Works (and What Doesn’t)

If none of the above pans out, there are a few manual tricks people try, but they come with real trade-offs.

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• Inflatable wedge and long-reach tool: This is the method professionals use, and kits are sold online. It works by gently wedging the door frame and reaching in to hit the unlock button, but it takes practice and can scratch paint or bend the frame if done carelessly.
• Shoelace trick: This only works on older cars with a manual lock knob shaped like a stalk, and it’s unreliable on most vehicles made in the last 15 years.
• Coat hanger: This is a last resort at best. It rarely works on modern vehicles and can damage the internal wiring or airbag sensors inside the door.
• Breaking a window: Reserve this for a true emergency, such as a child or pet trapped inside with no other option. Otherwise, the repair cost will almost always exceed what a locksmith charges.

In short, if you’re not confident in a DIY method, it’s usually faster and cheaper in the long run to skip straight to a professional.

6. When to Call a Professional Locksmith

Some situations call for a locksmith right away instead of trial and error:

• Your key broke off in the door or ignition.
• Your vehicle has a keyless entry or proximity system and the fob battery has died.
• You’ve tried the steps above and you’re still locked out.
• You don’t want to risk scratching paint or damaging the door frame yourself.

A licensed automotive locksmith carries the same non-destructive tools professionals use and can typically get you back in your car in under 30 minutes, without the trial and error of DIY methods.

If you’re in the Denver metro area, Quick Locksmith in Denver, CO offers 24/7 car lockout service and can dispatch a technician to your location. Drivers closer to the south metro can also reach the Englewood, CO locksmith team for the same fast, damage-free service.

7. How to Avoid Getting Locked Out Again

Once you’re back in your car, a few small habits go a long way toward preventing a repeat:

• Keep a spare key with a trusted friend or family member, not hidden on the vehicle itself.
• Replace your key fob battery at the first sign it’s fading, rather than waiting for it to die completely.
• Set up your manufacturer’s companion app as a backup, if your car supports one.
• Get in the habit of doing a quick keys-and-phone check before you shut the door.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to get locked out of your car? Costs vary by location and time of day, but a standard car lockout typically runs anywhere from $50 to $150 with a professional locksmith. Roadside assistance through insurance or a membership program may cover it entirely.

Can a locksmith open a car without damaging it? Yes. Professional locksmiths use non-destructive entry tools designed specifically to avoid scratching paint or damaging the door frame, which is very different from DIY methods like coat hangers.

Will AAA or my car insurance cover a lockout? Many roadside assistance plans and some insurance policies include lockout coverage. It’s worth checking your policy or membership benefits before paying out of pocket.

Is it safe to break a car window if I’m locked out? Only if there’s an emergency, such as a child or pet trapped inside. Otherwise, the cost of window replacement is usually higher than calling a locksmith.