Almost every driver has lost their car keys once in his or her life, and not everyone has a backup key on-hand. The situation may feel dire, but it’s not as bad as drivers may think. Read on to find out what to do to get the car unlocked and get back behind the wheel.

Check the Immediate Area

It’s important to remain calm and make sure the key is actually lost before taking any other actions. It’s often the case that drivers misplace their keys then write them off as being gone for good when they just haven’t taken the time to look for them. Before calling a locksmith like Action Lock Doc, check the immediate area and consider asking a friend or family member to do the same.

Check the Vehicle

If the keys aren’t in the house, office, or wherever else drivers have found themselves without their keys, it’s time to check the car. One of the leading causes of lockouts is leaving the keys locked in the car. This isn’t a huge deal. Just call a locksmith to have the car unlocked and retrieve the keys. It won’t cost much and will get drivers back on the road almost immediately.

Having Keys Replaced

If the keys are truly lost and never to be found, drivers will need to have them replaced. The process for doing this differs based on the car. For older cars, locksmiths can fashion replacement keys that don’t need to be reprogrammed.

Newer model cars have more intricate keys, which can complicate the replacement process. Key fobs or transponders often need to be replaced by the dealership, which can cost a good deal of money. Modern keys can cost hundreds of dollars to replace.

Gather Information Before Calling a Locksmith or Dealership

Regardless of whether they wind up calling a locksmith or getting a ride to the dealership, drivers will need to collect certain information to prove they own the car and ensure the person replacing it will be able to fabricate the right key. Start by writing down the make, model, and year of the vehicle and determining its VIN number. This information can be found on drivers’ vehicle registration documents. If these documents are locked in the glove compartment, as is so often the case, drivers can also check their insurance cards or their cars’ titles.

Can’t find the title, registration, or insurance card? A skilled locksmith should be able to take a look at the lock and determine what type of key will be required to open it. Expect to provide personal identifying information that proves vehicle ownership or to contact the owner of the vehicle for permission to have the key replaced. A reputable locksmith will never fabricate a replacement key for someone who can’t prove they have permission to access the vehicle.

Request a Backup Copy

Whether the key just needs to be retrieved from inside the car or a new one must be fabricated to replace a lost key, drivers should make a point of requesting a backup copy. It’s worth the extra money. Just make sure to leave it someplace safe but easy to find.

The Bottom Line

Getting locked out of a vehicle isn’t the end of the world. Trained locksmiths can help drivers access keys locked in their cars or replace lost traditional keys for minimal amounts of money. Drivers with newer cars may need to head to the dealership for a key replacement.