If you locked your keys in the car, start with the free options: check every door and the trunk, use your car’s app or digital key if it has one, and call someone who holds your spare. If none of those work, call roadside assistance or a locksmith, a professional unlock typically costs $75 to $250 and takes under 30 minutes. Never pry the door or break a window unless a child or pet is inside; in that emergency, call 911 immediately. A digital car key prevents the problem entirely, because your phone cannot be locked inside with the keys.
It happens to almost every driver eventually. The door clicks shut, and you see the keys sitting on the seat. Take a breath — locked keys in the car are a solvable problem, and the cheapest solutions come first. Work through these steps in order.
What should you do first when you lock your keys in the car?
Before you spend any money, rule out the free exits.
First, check every door and the trunk. Drivers try one handle, assume the worst, and miss an unlocked rear door. On many vehicles, the trunk also opens separately and the rear seats may fold down from inside the trunk.
Second, try your car’s app. Many newer vehicles unlock from the manufacturer’s app. Vehicles fitted with a digital car key system like MoboKey unlock straight from your phone, the fastest possible fix.
Third, call whoever holds your spare key. A 20-minute wait for a family member beats any locksmith fee.
Additionally, confirm the situation is not an emergency. If a child or pet is inside the vehicle, skip everything above and call 911. Heat builds inside a parked car within minutes, and no cost consideration matters.
How do you get into a locked car? (Step by step)
If the free options failed, escalate in this order.
How much does a car lockout cost in 2026?
| Solution | Typical cost | Wait time |
|---|---|---|
| Unlocked door, trunk, or spare key | Free | Immediate |
| Manufacturer app / digital key unlock | Free | Under a minute |
| Roadside assistance (with membership) | Free — included | 30–90 minutes |
| Roadside assistance (pay per use) | $50–$150 | 30–90 minutes |
| Auto locksmith | $75–$250 | 20–45 minutes |
| Replacement transponder key (if lost) | $200–$500 | Same day to several days |
| Broken window (do not do this) | $200–$450 + weather damage | Instant regret |
Two patterns stand out. The free options resolve most lockouts, which is why you always try them first. Furthermore, the phone-based unlock is both the fastest and the cheapest professional-grade solution — which points directly at prevention.
How do you make sure you never lock your keys in the car again?
Three habits end lockouts permanently.
First, keep a spare key somewhere reachable. A trusted neighbor or family member works better than a magnetic box hidden on the car, which thieves know to check.
Second, build a door-lock habit: lock the car only from the outside, using the key or fob in your hand. If the key must be in your hand to lock the car, it cannot be inside.
Third, the complete fix: make your phone the key. With MoboKey installed, your smartphone unlocks and starts the car over Bluetooth. Hands-free auto unlock opens the doors as you approach. You cannot lock your phone in the car and walk away, because the doors unlock again the moment you return. Additionally, family members with shared digital keys become your instant backup: anyone you authorize can unlock the car from their own phone.
MoboKey installs on over 90% of vehicles, including older models, at a one-time cost with no subscription. Hardware details are at MoboKey Shop.
Ready to go keyless and never get locked out again? Visit mobokey.com or contact us today to get started.
Frequently asked questions: locked keys in car
Who do I call when I lock my keys in the car?
Call your roadside assistance first — auto club memberships, insurance policies, credit cards, and new-car warranties often include free lockout service. If you have no coverage, call a licensed local auto locksmith. If a child or pet is inside the vehicle, call 911 immediately.
How much does it cost to unlock a locked car?
A locksmith typically charges $75 to $250 depending on the vehicle, location, and time of day. Roadside assistance runs $50 to $150 without a membership, or free with one. App-based unlocking, where available, costs nothing.
Can the police unlock my car for free?
Police generally respond to vehicle lockouts only when someone is in danger — a child or pet inside, or keys locked in a running car in a hazardous spot. For a routine lockout, roadside assistance or a locksmith is the right call.
Can I unlock my car with a coat hanger?
On most modern vehicles, no — and attempting it risks damaging wiring, airbag sensors, and weather seals hidden in the door. Vehicles from roughly the last two decades use rod-less locking mechanisms the coat hanger trick cannot reach. A locksmith’s tools open the door without damage.
Does insurance cover locked keys in the car?
Many policies include roadside assistance with lockout coverage, either as standard or as a low-cost add-on. Check your policy documents or app before paying out of pocket. Credit card benefits are worth checking too — several major cards include roadside dispatch.
How does a digital car key prevent lockouts?
Your phone becomes the key, and a locked phone in your pocket still unlocks the car. With MoboKey, hands-free auto unlock opens the doors as you approach, and shared digital keys let family members unlock the car from their own phones. There is simply no physical key left to lock inside.
