Truck Roadside Emergency Checklist & Triage

By Josh Weldon, Owner & Lead Diesel Technician, Weldon's Truck & Trailer — ASE-certified

Download the printable PDF version of this checklist

A breakdown is stressful, and stress leads to mistakes. The drivers who stay safe are the ones who already know the steps before anything goes wrong.

Keep this checklist in your cab. The first minutes after a breakdown are about safety — yours and everyone else's — long before they are about the repair. Work the list in order.

The First 90 Seconds

Get off the roadway. If the truck is still moving, ease onto the shoulder or an exit — as far from traffic as possible.
Turn on your hazard flashers immediately.
Note your exact location: highway, direction of travel, and the nearest mile marker or exit.
Stay calm and assess — is there smoke, fuel smell, or fire risk? If so, get clear of the vehicle.

Secure the Scene

Set out three reflective warning triangles (10 ft, 100 ft, and 200 ft behind the rig)
On a divided highway, place triangles 10, 100, and 200 ft to the rear
Wear a high-visibility vest before stepping out near traffic
Keep wheels chocked if on any grade
Stay out of the traffic-side blind zone at all times

Call for Help — Have This Ready

When you call for roadside repair, having this information ready gets a technician to you faster:

Exact location (highway, direction, mile marker, nearest exit or landmark)
What happened and any warning lights, sounds, or smells
Truck and trailer make, model, and year
Whether the truck is loaded and the type of cargo
A callback number that will stay reachable

Broken down in the Weldon's service area? Call (334) 759-7020. A live dispatcher answers 24/7 and we will roll a mobile unit to your location.

What to Keep in Your Emergency Kit

Three reflective warning triangles (DOT required)
High-visibility safety vest
Flashlight or headlamp with spare batteries
Basic tool kit and tire pressure gauge
Work gloves and a rain poncho
Drinking water (extra in desert heat) and non-perishable snacks
Fully charged backup phone battery
Fire extinguisher (charged and rated for the vehicle)
First-aid kit
Wheel chocks

Frequently Asked Questions

How far back should I place warning triangles?

On a standard two-lane road, place triangles 10, 100, and 200 feet behind the vehicle toward approaching traffic. On a one-way or divided highway, place all three to the rear at 10, 100, and 200 feet.

Should I stay with my truck after a breakdown?

Yes, unless there is a fire, fuel leak, or other immediate danger. Staying with the vehicle keeps you safer, makes you easier to find, and protects your cargo while help is on the way.

What should I do if I break down on a remote desert highway?

Pull off safely, set your flashers and triangles, stay with the vehicle, conserve water in the heat, and call for help with your exact location. Do not try to walk for help on a remote stretch in extreme temperatures.

Is it safe to keep driving with a warning light on?

It depends on the light and the symptom. Use the triage on this page as a starting point, but when in doubt, stop in a safe place and call a technician rather than risk a bigger failure or a crash.

About the Author

Josh Weldon — Owner & Lead Diesel Technician, Weldon's Truck & Trailer. Josh Weldon is the owner and lead technician at Weldon's Truck & Trailer in Kingman, Arizona. An ASE-certified diesel technician with more than 10 years of hands-on experience, Josh has personally handled thousands of roadside repairs along the I-40 and US-93 corridors. He founded Weldon's to give drivers fast, honest, expert help when they break down far from home.

ASE-Certified Diesel Technician
10+ years in commercial truck & trailer repair
5,000+ trucks serviced across AZ, NV & CA
Hands-on specialist on the I-40 / US-93 corridors

Need truck or trailer repair? Call (334) 759-7020 for 24/7 mobile service.