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uk Transport & mobility emergencies

What to do if…
your parking brake fails and the vehicle starts rolling

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

If you are in the driver’s seat, brake immediately, keep firm pressure on the foot brake and steer towards the safest clear place available. If you are outside, move away from the vehicle’s path, warn nearby people and call 999 if anyone is in immediate danger.

Do not do these things

  • Do not stand in front of, behind or downhill from the rolling vehicle.
  • Do not try to stop the vehicle with your hands, feet or body.
  • Do not chase or jump into a vehicle that is already moving.
  • Do not place anything beneath a wheel while the vehicle is moving.
  • Do not select P or reverse while the vehicle is still moving forwards.
  • Do not release the foot brake until the vehicle is stationary and secured as far as possible.
  • Do not continue the journey or test the faulty parking brake on the road.
  • Do not stand between the stopped vehicle and moving traffic.

What to do now

  1. If you are inside the vehicle, brake immediately. Keep firm, steady pressure on the foot brake and retain control of the steering.
  2. Steer away from people, moving traffic, buildings, water and steep drops towards a clear place where the vehicle can stop. Use the horn while moving if you need to warn someone in your path.
  3. Once fully stationary, keep the foot brake pressed. Select P in an automatic vehicle. In a manual vehicle on a hill, select a forward gear when facing uphill or reverse when facing downhill.
  4. If you are beside a kerb on a hill, turn the wheels away from the kerb when facing uphill or towards the kerb when facing downhill. Switch off the engine after the vehicle has stopped.
  5. If the vehicle still moves when you ease the foot-brake pressure, press the foot brake firmly again. Remain in control and call 999 if the vehicle cannot be kept stationary without creating immediate danger.
  6. If you are outside the vehicle, do not chase it. Move yourself and others away from its path and warn anyone nearby or downhill.
  7. When the vehicle is stationary, switch on the hazard warning lights if it is obstructing traffic. Do not leave the driver’s seat while the foot brake is the only thing preventing movement.
  8. On a motorway or other high-speed road, move to the left and reach a place of relative safety if you can do so while retaining control. If you cannot reach safety or exit safely, remain seat-belted with the hazard lights on and call 999 for the police.
  9. Contact a breakdown recovery service and explain that the parking brake has failed and the vehicle may roll. Arrange recovery rather than driving it onward.

What can wait

Finding the cause, estimating repair costs, choosing a garage, contacting your insurer and deciding where the vehicle should eventually be taken can wait until everyone is safe and the vehicle is no longer at risk of rolling.

Important reassurance

The foot brake may still work even when the parking brake does not. Focus on firm foot-brake pressure, controlled steering and keeping everyone out of the vehicle’s path.

Scope note

This guide covers only the immediate steps for stopping the danger and reaching a safer pause. Recovery, repairs, collision reporting and later decisions may require emergency services, a breakdown provider, a mechanic, an insurer or other specialist support.

Important note

This is general road-safety information, not mechanical or legal advice. Vehicle controls and electronic parking-brake systems vary, so follow emergency-service instructions and the vehicle manufacturer’s handbook where it is safe to do so.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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