If a child or a pet is locked inside the car, call 911 first, before anything else. For everyone else, the usual fix is a roadside operator who opens the door with a non-damaging tool, and the call goes faster when you have the car’s details, your location and proof the car is yours ready to share.
Most lockouts are a short, calm job. The main decisions are who to call and what to tell them.
When it is an emergency
A child, an infant or an animal locked inside on a warm day is not a regular lockout. Parked cars heat up fast, and we cannot state a safe wait time. Call 911, tell the dispatcher the exact location, and stay with the car. Responders can decide whether to break a window. Do not wait for a lockout service to arrive first.
What the operator will ask
- Where you are. A street address, a parking deck level or a cross street. In a big lot, give a landmark such as a store entrance.
- Make, model and year. It tells the operator which opening method fits.
- Type of key. Metal key, remote fob, push-button start or card key.
- What is inside. Keys, fob, children, pets, running engine.
- Who you are. Be ready to show a license and registration or insurance card that matches the car.
Operators ask for ID because opening a car for the wrong person is a real risk. If your documents are inside the car, say so, and tell them what else could show ownership, such as a phone app, a matching address or a name on the title.
Key fob and push-button cars
Newer cars lock automatically and sometimes lock the fob inside by accident. Before calling, check these.
- Try every door and the trunk, since one may be unlatched.
- Look at your phone: some automakers’ apps can unlock the car remotely.
- Ask a family member whether a spare fob is nearby.
- Check whether the car is still running. If the engine is on, say so on the call.
If the fob is gone completely, not locked inside, opening the door will not start the car. Then you need a dealer or an automotive locksmith to program a new key, and the car may need a tow. See can you tow a car without keys.
Where lockouts happen in metro Atlanta
Parking decks in Midtown and Downtown, Perimeter Mall lots in Dunwoody and the apartment complexes along Buford Highway all have tight spaces and few safe places for a truck to stand. Mention a low-clearance deck or a gated lot, because the operator may need to send a smaller vehicle or have you meet at the entrance. If you are on the shoulder of I-285 or GA-400, stay out of the car and away from traffic, and say so on the call. See car lockout service for how the request works.
What to expect on price
A lockout is a consensual service, so Georgia’s tow price tariffs do not apply. The operator quotes a price before dispatch, and you can decline if it does not fit. Ask what is included and how you pay. We do not publish prices for this service. Your insurer or an auto club might cover it; see does car insurance cover towing in Georgia, and the state’s auto insurance overview for how coverage types work.
What not to do
- Do not force the door with a coat hanger or a wedge. Modern doors have airbag wiring and sensors that can be damaged.
- Do not smash a window unless a life is at risk.
- Do not hire someone who will not tell you a price or a business name.
If you cannot get in and the car was parked at a place with posted limits, check for a sign about the time before it is towed. A lot like a stadium or a garage may tow a car left overnight. See parking garage towing in Atlanta.
Frequently asked questions
What if my child is locked in the car?
Call 911 immediately and stay with the car. Do not wait for a lockout operator.
Can an operator open any car?
Most cars, but some luxury, older or specialty models need extra steps. Give the make and year when you call.
Do I need ID?
Expect to show a license and proof the car is yours, such as registration or an insurance card.
Will a lockout damage my car?
A trained operator uses non-damaging tools. Forcing a door yourself is more likely to cause damage.
If you need a tow or roadside call in metro Atlanta, the line at (858) 925-5546 takes calls 24/7.