What to do if…
your motorcycle or scooter will not start and you are stranded away from home

What to do now

1. Create a safer pause immediately.

   • If it is still rolling, signal and move to the nearest safe shoulder, pull-off, parking lot, gas station, or well-lit public place.
   • If it can be moved by foot without entering traffic, move it fully out of the travel lane and as far from moving vehicles as you can.
   • If it cannot be moved safely, leave it where it is and get yourself to the safest reachable place.

2. Make the scene visible without putting yourself in the road.

   • Turn on hazard lights if fitted, or leave lights on if that is safer.
   • Keep the motorcycle or scooter upright and stable if you can do that without stepping into traffic.
   • Use reflective gear, a flashlight, or your phone light from a safe position if visibility is poor.

3. Choose the safest waiting position.

   • Put distance between yourself and moving traffic.
   • If there is a barrier, guardrail, embankment, or safe raised area, move behind it only when you can reach it without crossing active lanes.
   • Move away from the motorcycle or scooter if you see smoke, fire, leaking fuel, or if it could fall or be struck.
   • If you are near a gas station, store, rest area, or other public place and can reach it safely, wait there instead of on the shoulder.

4. Call the right help.

   • Call 911 if anyone is injured, there has been a crash, you are in or near a live lane, traffic is closely passing you, you see smoke, fire, or leaking fuel, you feel threatened, or you cannot get to a safer place.
   • Otherwise, call roadside assistance, your insurer, an auto club, the scooter or motorcycle manufacturer assistance line if you have one, or a local tow company.
   • Say clearly that it is a motorcycle or scooter and ask whether they can transport it safely.

5. Use local highway help only where it actually exists.

   • In many areas, 511 is for traveler information and may point you toward local road conditions or assistance options.
   • 511 and service patrol coverage vary by state, roadway, time of day, and vehicle type, so do not rely on them as your only plan unless local information confirms help is available.
   • If a service patrol stops, ask what they can and cannot do before letting them move or tow the motorcycle or scooter.

6. Give one clear location description.

   • Give the road or highway name, direction of travel, nearest exit, mile marker if visible, nearby landmark, and which side of the road you are on.
   • Tell the dispatcher or tow company whether the motorcycle or scooter can roll, whether the steering is locked, whether the tires are flat, and whether you have the key.
   • Share your clothing color and the motorcycle or scooter color if emergency help is coming.

7. Do only minimal checks once you are already safe.

   • Check the kill switch, neutral, side stand, key or fob, fuel level, and whether the dash shows an immobilizer or warning light.
   • Look for an obvious disconnected battery lead only if you can do so without tools, sparks, heat, traffic exposure, or removing protective gear.
   • Try starting it briefly once or twice. If it does not start quickly, stop and save your battery and attention for calls, location updates, and staying safe.