Keys Locked in Your Car? 5 Safe Ways to Get Back In
It happens in an instant. You’re at a Halifax Tim’s, you grab a coffee, close the car door behind you, and pat your pocket — nothing. The keys are sitting on the driver’s seat, the doors are locked, and the engine might even be running. Getting locked keys inside your car is one of the most common — and most frustrating — roadside problems, year-round.
The good news: you have more options than you think, and most of them don’t involve a coat hanger or a broken window. This guide covers 5 safe methods to get back into your car, ranked from free and instant to professional and reliable. We’ll also cover what not to do — because the wrong approach can cost hundreds in body damage on top of the lockout fee.
If you’re locked out in winter, our winter car lockout guide covers cold-weather-specific advice including staying warm and dealing with frozen locks.
🚨 Child or Pet Locked in the Car?
If a child or animal is locked inside the vehicle — especially in hot or cold weather — call 911 immediately. This is a life-threatening emergency. In Nova Scotia, Good Samaritan protections may apply if you need to break a window to rescue a child or pet in immediate danger. Do not wait for a locksmith in this situation.
1 Check Every Door and the Trunk First
Before you do anything else, walk around the entire vehicle and try every door handle — including the rear passenger doors and the trunk or hatchback. It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how often one door is still unlocked.
Try all four (or more) door handles
Try the trunk or hatchback release
Check if a window is cracked open even slightly
Some SUVs/hatchbacks have a rear glass that opens separately — try it
💡 Trunk access tip: Many sedans have fold-down rear seats accessible from the trunk. If the trunk opens, you may be able to fold the seats forward and climb through to retrieve your keys from the cabin. Not glamorous, but it works — and it’s free.
2 Use a Spare Key
If you have a spare key at home, with a family member, or in your wallet, this is the fastest and cheapest solution. Options to get it to you:
Have someone bring it to you, or take a taxi/rideshare home to get it. The taxi fare is almost always cheaper than a lockout service call.
Some car brands offer thin emergency keys designed to fit in a wallet. They typically only unlock the door (no start), but that’s all you need right now.
Many key fobs have a physical key blade hidden inside the casing. Press the release button on your fob — a metal key slides out that fits the driver’s door lock cylinder.
Some drivers store a spare key in a magnetic lockbox under the vehicle. If you had the foresight to set one up, now is the time it pays for itself ($5–$10 at any hardware store).
After this lockout, invest in a spare. A basic key copy costs $5–$15 at a hardware store. A programmed key fob replacement costs $100–$400 depending on the vehicle — expensive, but far less than repeated lockout service calls plus potential door damage.
3 Use Your Car’s Connected Services App
Many newer vehicles (2015+) come with a connected services app that lets you unlock your car remotely from your phone. If you’re locked out but have your phone, this can solve the problem in under 30 seconds:
⚠️ Requires active subscription: Most connected services require an active subscription and a cellular data connection. If your trial period expired or you never activated the service, this won’t work. Set up the app before you need it — not while standing in a Tim Horton’s parking lot at 7 AM.
4 Call Your Roadside Assistance Provider
Before you call a locksmith, check whether you already have car lockout coverage — many people do and don’t realize it:
Many Nova Scotia auto insurance policies include roadside assistance with lockout coverage. Check your policy or call your insurer’s 24-hour claims line. If covered, they’ll dispatch a service provider at no charge. See our insurance and towing coverage guide for details.
If you’re a CAA member, lockout assistance is included with all membership tiers. Call 1-800-222-4357. CAA dispatches a technician who can open most vehicles without damage.
Some premium credit cards (Visa Infinite, Mastercard World Elite, Amex Gold/Platinum) include roadside assistance with lockout service. Check your card’s benefits guide or call the number on the back of the card.
Most new vehicles include complimentary roadside assistance for 3–5 years from the purchase date. Check your owner’s manual or call the dealer. This often includes lockout service regardless of where you bought the car.
5 Call a Professional Auto Lockout Service
If none of the above options work, a professional auto lockout service is the safest and fastest way to get back in. Here’s what to expect:
What a pro does
- Uses specialized tools (slim jims, air wedges, long-reach tools) designed to unlock vehicles without damage
- Trained on modern vehicle locking mechanisms
- Can handle keyless entry, push-to-start, and transponder systems
- Typically arrives within 20–45 minutes
What it costs
- Standard lockout: $50 – $120
- After-hours / weekend: $75 – $150
- High-security vehicles: $100 – $200+
- Most jobs take 5–15 minutes once on-site
Halifax Towing provides 24/7 car lockout service across the entire HRM. We use damage-free entry tools and can have a technician to you fast. Call (902) 593-3918 anytime — day or night, weekday or weekend.
Locked Out Right Now?
24/7 car lockout service across Halifax — damage-free entry, fast response
(902) 593-3918
🚫 What NOT to Do When Your Keys Are Locked in Your Car
DIY lockout “hacks” from the internet cause more damage than they’re worth. Here’s what to avoid and why:
Modern cars have electronic locks, not the mechanical pull-up buttons that coat hangers were designed to manipulate. Poking a wire inside the door can tear the weather stripping, scratch the paint, damage the wiring harness, or trigger the airbag sensor. The damage bill can easily exceed $500.
Forcing a screwdriver between the door and frame bends the door, damages the seal, and can crack the window. A bent door never closes properly again and may require a $800–$1,500 body shop repair — far more than the $50–$120 lockout fee.
A replacement car window costs $200–$600+ depending on the vehicle. Side windows with embedded antennas, heating elements, or tinting are even more expensive. Breaking a window only makes sense if a child, pet, or vulnerable person is in immediate danger.
This viral hack has been thoroughly debunked. Pressing a tennis ball against the lock doesn’t generate enough air pressure to activate modern locking mechanisms. It simply doesn’t work — it will just waste time you could spend on a real solution.
🛡️ How to Prevent Getting Locked Out in the Future
Once you’ve been locked out once, you never want it to happen again. These prevention strategies cost almost nothing and can save you $100+ per incident:
Keep one at home, give one to a trusted friend, or store one in a magnetic key box hidden under the vehicle. A basic key copy costs $5–$15 at any hardware store.
If your car has connected services (OnStar, FordPass, etc.), activate the app and test the remote unlock feature before you need it. It takes 5 minutes now and saves hours later.
Before closing the door: keys in hand, phone in pocket, wallet accounted for. Make it a conscious check every time you exit. This one habit prevents 90% of lockouts.
Clip your keys to your belt loop or bag strap when you get out of the car. You physically can’t leave them behind if they’re attached to your body.
Many modern cars auto-lock after 30–60 seconds if they detect the key fob is inside. If your fob battery is weak, the car may not detect it properly and lock with the fob inside. Replace weak fob batteries proactively ($3–$8).
Save (902) 593-3918 in your phone contacts as “Halifax Towing / Lockout.” When it happens, you won’t be scrambling to search for a number while stressed and possibly in an unsafe location.
⏱️ What to Do While Waiting for Lockout Help
You’ve called for help — now what? Depending on where you are and the time of day, these tips keep you safe and comfortable:
Stay near your vehicle — the technician needs you there to verify ownership and sign paperwork.
Wait inside a nearby business if possible. Tell the service provider your exact location and that you’ll come out when they arrive.
At night or in an isolated area? Stay in a well-lit spot. If you feel unsafe, call Halifax Regional Police non-emergency at 902-490-5020 and let them know your situation.
In cold weather? Go inside a building if possible. If you’re stranded outdoors, see our full guide on what to do while waiting for roadside help.
Have your ID ready. The technician may ask for your driver’s licence and registration (if accessible) to confirm you’re the owner before unlocking the vehicle.
💰 What Does a Car Lockout Cost? Options Compared
Here’s how the costs compare across all your options when you’ve got keys locked in your car:
🚛 Car Lockout Service Across Halifax
Halifax Towing provides 24/7 car lockout service across the entire HRM. We handle all vehicle makes and models with damage-free entry tools. Also available: battery boost, roadside assistance, and 24-hour towing.
View our full service area. For a complete breakdown of what towing costs, see our Halifax towing cost guide. Keep an emergency roadside kit in your car for any unexpected situation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Lockouts
What should I do if my keys are locked in my car?
First check all doors and the trunk — one may be unlocked. Then try a spare key or your car’s connected services app for a remote unlock. If those don’t work, call your roadside assistance provider (insurance, CAA, or credit card benefits). As a last resort, call a professional auto lockout service like Halifax Towing at (902) 593-3918.
How much does a car lockout service cost in Halifax?
Professional car lockout service in Halifax typically costs $50–$150 depending on the time of day and vehicle type. Standard daytime lockouts are usually $50–$120, while after-hours or weekend service may cost $75–$150. High-security vehicles can be higher. Call (902) 593-3918 for current pricing.
Can a locksmith unlock my car without damage?
Yes — professional locksmiths and auto lockout technicians use specialized tools (air wedges, long-reach tools, pick sets) designed to open vehicles without causing damage. This is why calling a professional is always better than attempting DIY methods that frequently damage the door, weather stripping, or window.
Does my car insurance cover lockout service?
Many Nova Scotia auto insurance policies include roadside assistance that covers lockout service at no additional charge. Check your policy or call your insurer’s 24-hour line. Some credit cards also include lockout assistance as a cardholder benefit.
Can I unlock my car with my phone?
If your vehicle has connected services (OnStar, FordPass, Toyota app, Bluelink, etc.) and you have an active subscription, yes — you can unlock remotely through the app in seconds. Some newer vehicles also support digital keys through Apple Wallet or Samsung Wallet, allowing your phone to act as the key fob.
What if my car is running with the keys locked inside?
Don’t panic — the engine will run until it runs out of fuel, which gives you plenty of time to get help. Call a professional lockout service. Do not attempt to force entry, as this can cause expensive damage. The same methods (app unlock, spare key, professional service) apply whether the car is running or not.
How long does it take to unlock a car?
Once a professional technician arrives, most lockouts are resolved in 5–15 minutes. The total wait time depends on how quickly service can reach your location — typically 20–45 minutes in the Halifax area. Connected services apps can unlock your car in under 30 seconds if set up in advance.
Should I call police if I’m locked out of my car?
Police generally don’t assist with vehicle lockouts as a standard service — they’ll direct you to a locksmith or towing company. The exception is an emergency: if a child, pet, or vulnerable person is locked inside, call 911 immediately. For non-emergency lockouts, a professional lockout service is your best option.
How much does a replacement car key cost?
A basic metal key copy costs $5–$15 at a hardware store. A transponder key (chip key) costs $50–$150 at a locksmith. A full key fob with remote/push-start costs $100–$400+ at a dealer. While expensive, having a spare prevents future lockout service fees and the stress of being stranded.
Is there a car lockout service near me in Halifax?
Halifax Towing provides 24/7 auto lockout service across the entire HRM including Downtown Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford, Clayton Park, Cole Harbour, Spryfield, Fairview, North End, Armdale, South End, and all surrounding areas. Call (902) 593-3918 anytime for fast, damage-free lockout service.
Locked Out in Halifax?
24/7 car lockout service — damage-free entry, all vehicle makes and models
Fast response across the entire HRM
(902) 593-3918