Car in a ditch — winching out
Safety first, then the car. If your car has driven off the road, first assess whether it is stable and visible to traffic. Call +372 5610 1515 — the dispatcher will guide you on the phone until the recovery vehicle arrives.
How it works
Describe the problem and confirm your location
Share your live location by SMS
Once your location is confirmed you get an accurate arrival estimate
First steps
- Turn on your hazard lights. Even if the car is completely off the road.
- Decide whether it's safer inside or outside the car. If the car is stable and traffic is dense, it's usually safer to remain in the car with your seatbelt on. If the car is tilted, over water, on an unstable slope, or if you doubt its stability — exit immediately and move away from the road.
- Put on a safety vest before exiting the car, not after.
- Place the warning triangle on the road, at least one hundred meters back on a highway.
- If anyone is injured or the car is in a dangerous position for traffic, call 112. Towing comes afterwards.
Don't let a passerby pull you out
This is the most valuable advice on this page. A passenger car's towing point is designed for even pulling force, not jerking. A cable or strap attached to the wrong place can tear out the towing eye, damage the front bumper, radiator, or twist the chassis — and this damage is usually not covered by anyone.
The recovery vehicle uses a winch that pulls evenly and at a controlled angle, attaching the cable to the designated point. Most winching operations leave no trace on the car.
What influences the situation
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| How deep the car is in | Determines if a winch is sufficient or if a second anchor point is needed |
| Ground condition | Snow, mud, sand, and ice behave completely differently |
| Angle to the road | Pulling straight up a slope is slower than along a ditch |
| Wheels and chassis | If something is bent, the car won't be able to drive on its own afterwards |
| Vehicle weight | A van or SUV requires more capable equipment |
If, after winching, it turns out the car is not roadworthy, the next step is towing service to a workshop or home.
What the dispatcher will ask
- Location — road number and nearest kilometer marker, intersection, or gas station. Also state which side of the road and if access is available from both directions.
- Vehicle — make, model, approximate weight, drive axle.
- What happened — how the car went off the road, if it's tilted, if the wheels are off the ground, if anyone was injured.
You will receive an estimated price and arrival time during the call, before departure.
Price
Towing service starts at 65 € in Tallinn city center, 75 € in Harjumaa, and the night and weekend surcharge is 0 €.
The winching price depends on the complexity of access, how deep the car is in, and the surrounding ground conditions — these are factors described over the phone, and based on them, the dispatcher will provide an estimate before departure. Demand is highest on winter nights, but the price does not increase: the surcharge is 0 €.
See also how quickly help arrives, emergency roadside assistance, Võru region and overview of services.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay in the car or get out?+
If the car is stable and traffic is dense, it's safer in the car with your seatbelt on. If the car is tilted or unstable, exit and move away from the road.
Will winching out of a ditch damage the car?+
Not with the correct technique. Pulling with a passerby's rope, however, often damages the towing point or chassis.
Do you come for cars stuck in snow?+
Yes. When you call, specify how deep the snow is and if the road has been plowed.
How much does winching cost?+
The price depends on access, depth, and ground conditions. The dispatcher will provide an estimate during the call, before departure.
What if the car doesn't drive after being winched out?+
Then we will tow it to a workshop or home. You choose the destination.
See also
The dispatcher answers immediately and sends the nearest helper.