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

Being locked out of your car during the day is inconvenient. Being locked out at night is a safety concern. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the risk of personal crime increases significantly after dark, making it critical to get back into your vehicle quickly. Whether you are leaving a late shift, walking out of a restaurant downtown, or coming back to your car after a University of Iowa evening event, a nighttime lockout requires smart, quick decisions. IC Roadside & Key provides 24/7 emergency lockout service across Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and Eastern Iowa. Call (319) 963-2108 right now if you are locked out.

Step 1: Stay Calm and Assess Your Surroundings

Your first priority is personal safety, not getting into the car. Take a moment to look around:

• Are you in a well-lit area? If not, move toward light, whether that is a street lamp, a nearby business, or another populated space.
• Are there other people around? Busy areas like the Pedestrian Mall, Coral Ridge Mall parking lot, or gas stations along the Coralville Strip are safer than isolated spots.
• If you feel unsafe for any reason, call 911 first, then worry about the car.

Step 2: Check for Quick Solutions

Before calling for help, quickly check:

• All doors and the trunk or liftgate — One may be unlocked.
• Your phone — According to Consumer Reports, over 80% of vehicles manufactured since 2020 offer a smartphone app with remote unlock capability. Many newer vehicles have companion apps (like FordPass, myChevrolet, or Hyundai Bluelink) that can unlock your doors remotely.
• A spare key — Is there one with a friend, family member, or roommate who could bring it to you?

Step 3: Call IC Roadside & Key

If those options do not work, call us at (319) 963-2108. We respond to lockouts 24 hours a day. In our experience, nighttime lockout calls peak between 10 PM and 2 AM, especially on weekends in the downtown Iowa City bar district and near Kinnick Stadium after evening events. We, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Our technicians carry professional, vehicle-specific lockout tools and can open your door without causing damage, even on newer vehicles with electronic locks.

What to Tell the Dispatcher

• Your exact location, including the address, parking lot name, or nearest cross streets.
• Your vehicle's year, make, and model.
• Whether anyone else is in the vehicle (children or pets are emergencies; let us know immediately).

Step 4: Stay Safe While You Wait

• Stay in a well-lit, visible area. Do not wander away from your vehicle into unfamiliar neighborhoods.
• Wait inside a nearby business if one is open. Tell the staff your situation.
• Let someone know your location. Text a friend or family member where you are and that you are waiting for help.
• Do not accept help from strangers attempting to open your car. Well-meaning attempts with improvised tools almost always cause damage, and not everyone has good intentions.

Special Concerns for Iowa Nights

Iowa nights present unique challenges depending on the season:

• Winter: Temperatures can drop below zero. If you are locked out in freezing weather, your safety is at risk. Call us immediately and wait inside a nearby building. Do not try to wait it out.
• Summer: If a child or pet is locked inside the vehicle on a warm night, call 911 immediately. Iowa law allows bystanders to break a window to rescue a child in immediate danger.

Preventing Future Nighttime Lockouts

Keep a spare key in your wallet, purse, or a magnetic key box hidden on your vehicle. Consider a smart lock system or key finder tag attached to your keys. And save IC Roadside & Key in your phone contacts now, so if it happens again, help is one tap away: (319) 963-2108.

Frequently Asked Questions