If a child or pet is locked inside, call 911 first. Otherwise, check every door and the trunk, look for a spare, and do not force the door with a hanger or break a window. A licensed automotive locksmith can open most cars without damage. A standard lockout usually takes us under 10 minutes on site, at a flat rate quoted before we dispatch.
- A child or pet locked inside a car is a 911 call first, then a locksmith.
- Damage from coat hangers, prying or broken glass usually costs more to repair than a lockout.
- Most standard lockouts take under 10 minutes on site with non-destructive tools.
- Expect to show photo ID matching the registration, the title, or notarized authorization from the owner.
- A fair lockout quote is a flat rate given before dispatch, with no surprise fees on arrival.
Quick lockout in Oxnard, CA. Filmed on a real job by EZ Car Keyz.
What should you do first when you are locked out of your car?
First get yourself out of traffic and check whether a child or pet is inside. If not, run through the quick checks below before you call.
- 1Check for a child or pet
If a child or pet is inside, call 911 first, then call us. We give child and pet lockouts priority response.
- 2Try every door and the trunk
A rear door, hatch or trunk is sometimes still unlocked. Check every one before anything else.
- 3Think about a spare
Who has a second key, and how far away are they? A spare across town may still be the cheapest way back in.
- 4Try the app if you have one
Some newer cars can be unlocked through a manufacturer app or connected service. If you set one up, try it now.
- 5Pin down your location
Note the cross streets, the parking level or the space number. It saves time in a parking structure, on a campus or at the roadside.
- 6Call or text a licensed locksmith
Give the year, make and model and where the car is. We quote a flat price before we dispatch.
What should you never try when you are locked out?
Do not use a coat hanger, a pry tool or a screwdriver in the door gap, and do not break a window unless someone's safety depends on it. The repair usually costs more than the lockout.
- Coat hangers and makeshift wedges. Many modern doors are packed with wiring, sensors and window mechanisms. Fishing around inside with a bent hanger can scratch paint, tear the weatherstrip or pull a linkage loose.
- Prying the door frame. Bending the top of the door can leave a gap that whistles at speed or lets water in.
- Breaking a window. New glass usually costs more than a lockout, takes time to schedule and leaves the car open until it is fixed. Save it for a real emergency.
- Letting anyone drill the lock. Getting into a car almost never requires drilling. A locksmith who reaches for a drill when picking would work is a warning sign.
Other warning signs: a suspiciously low teaser price on the phone, an unmarked vehicle, a cash-only demand or a price that grows on arrival. A legitimate California locksmith can show a BSIS license number. Ours is LCO#6792. Read more in how to avoid locksmith scams.
What if a child or pet is locked inside the car?
Call 911 first, every time, then call us. A closed car heats up quickly in the sun, and first responders can break a window immediately if that is what it takes.
We give child and pet lockouts priority response, ahead of routine calls. Stay with the car where they can see you, and keep your phone free so we can reach you as we get close.
How does a locksmith open a locked car without damage?
We use non-destructive entry: tools made for automotive locks and door frames that open the car without drilling or broken glass. Most standard lockouts take under 10 minutes once we are at the car.
The method depends on the vehicle. Some cars open best through the lock itself, others with a long-reach tool through a protected gap at the door, and high-security vehicles take more time and more specialized tools.
Not every lockout means the keys are inside. A dead car battery can leave the power locks ignoring the fob, and an electronic lock fault can keep a door shut even with a working key. Keys locked in the trunk usually take 10 to 15 minutes. We handle all of these on site.
How much does it cost to unlock a car?
A car lockout is one of the least expensive locksmith jobs. Our flat rates are below, and the price we quote on the phone is the price you pay, any hour we are open.
| Option | Ventura County | San Diego County | Time on-site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Vehicle Lockout | $95-$125 | $105-$145 | Under 10 min |
| Trunk Lockout | $95-$125 | $105-$145 | 10-15 min |
| Child / Pet Emergency Lockout | $95 flat | $105 flat | Priority response |
| Dead Battery Lockout | $95-$125 | $105-$145 | 10-20 min |
| Electronic Lock Malfunction | $95-$125 | $105-$145 | 10-20 min |
| High-Security Vehicle Lockout | $115-$145 | $125-$165 | 15-25 min |
Flat-rate ranges from our current price list. The exact quote depends on year, make and model, and the price we quote is the price you pay. Full details: Lockout Service in Ventura County or in San Diego County.
There is no service-call fee, no trip fee and no after-hours or holiday upcharge on top of the quote. High-security vehicles cost a little more because they take longer and need specialized tools.
Many roadside plans and some auto policies include lockout help, so check yours. If the wait is long or you have no coverage, call or text us. We work 6:00 AM to 11:30 PM, 7 days a week, across Ventura County, Santa Barbara County, San Diego County and Malibu, from Oxnard to Chula Vista. Details on our lockout service page.
What if your keys are lost or broken, not locked inside?
Opening the door only helps if the key is in the car. If the key is lost, snapped or the fob is dead, you need a key made or repaired, and on most cars we can do that in the same visit.
- Key lost. On most makes we cut and program a new key at the car, even with no spare. Start with lost car keys with no spare.
- Key snapped in the door lock. Leave the broken piece where it is, because pushing on it drives it deeper. We extract it and can usually cut a new key on the spot. See broken key extraction.
- Fob dead on a push-to-start car. Most smart fobs hide an emergency blade for the door, and most cars have a backup start method. Our guide to starting a car with a dead fob explains both.
If you need a lockout and a new key, tell us when you call so we quote both and bring everything in one trip.
What will the locksmith ask you to show?
Expect to prove the car is yours before it is opened. We verify ownership on every job, no exceptions, because California locksmith licensing requires it.
- Photo ID that matches the vehicle registration
- Or the title, with matching photo ID
- Or notarized authorization from the registered owner
If your documents are locked in the car with the keys, say so when you call. A locksmith who opens a car without asking for any proof is not doing you a favor, because the same shortcut works for a thief.
