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. 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 — 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, 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