Lost Your Only Car Key? Here’s What To Do
Lost the only key to your car? Here is how to stay calm, what to check first and how a locksmith can get you moving again.
Published: 3 October 2026
First, look in the likely places
Retrace your steps before assuming the worst. Keys often turn up in a coat pocket, a bag, a restaurant or a friend’s car.
- Check the places you stopped at today and call them.
- Look inside the car, in case the key is locked in.
- Check any spare key at home or with family.
Do not leave the car unprotected
If your key may have been stolen, remember it could be used by someone who knows which car it belongs to. Tell someone you trust, and think about having the key replaced and the car re-keyed.
You may not need a tow
Many people think a lost key means towing the car to a dealer. Often a mobile car locksmith can come to you, make a new key and program it on the spot, so the car never has to move.
See our car locksmith page for the car services we offer.
What to have ready
To make a new key, a locksmith needs to be sure the car is yours. Have these ready when you call.
- Proof of ownership, such as your Mulkiya (vehicle registration card).
- Your ID, such as your Emirates ID.
- The make, model and year of the car.
- The car’s location.
Make a spare before you need one
The easiest lost-key problem is the one that never happens. If you still have a working key, copy it now. It is quicker and simpler than starting from nothing, and you will always have a backup.