Quick answer: If your car breaks down on a major Los Angeles County freeway during service hours, the Metro Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) may help you for free. According to LA Metro, FSP is run in partnership with Metro, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and Caltrans, and its roving trucks can change a flat tire, jump-start a battery, refill a radiator, tape a leaking hose, provide up to a gallon of fuel, or tow your car to a safe location off the freeway designated by the CHP. It will not tow you home or to a repair shop of your choice. In an emergency, call 911. For non-emergency help, Metro says to dial 511 and say “Motorist Aid,” or use a freeway call box.
This guide from the TowCars team explains what FSP does and does not do, when it operates, and how it fits with a regular tow if your car cannot be fixed on the spot. All program details here are taken from LA Metro’s official FSP page, which you should check for the latest hours and coverage.
What the Freeway Service Patrol is
FSP is a public program designed to clear disabled vehicles from the freeway quickly. LA Metro describes it as a free commuter service and the largest program of its kind in the nation. The goal is less about helping one driver and more about traffic safety: a stalled car in a lane or on a narrow shoulder can cause secondary crashes and long backups. Clearing it fast helps everyone.
The trucks are operated by private tow companies under contract to the program, but the service to you, the motorist, is free.
What FSP can do for you
According to LA Metro, available services include:
- changing flat tires,
- jump-starting cars,
- refilling radiators and taping leaky hoses,
- providing up to a gallon of fuel, and
- towing disabled vehicles to designated safe locations off the freeway.
If a quick fix gets your car running, you can usually continue your trip. If not, FSP can move you off the freeway to a safer spot, where you can arrange a regular tow.
What FSP will not do
- It will not tow you to the place you choose. Metro says FSP drivers will only tow vehicles, at no charge, to a safe, pre-determined location designated by the CHP. They are not permitted to tow to a private repair shop or your home.
- It will not recommend a shop or tow company. FSP drivers cannot recommend service companies or repair facilities.
- It does not accept tips. Metro says FSP drivers are not permitted to accept tips.
- It is not available on every road at every hour. It covers major freeways in LA County during set hours. Surface streets are not covered.
Service hours
At the time of writing, Metro lists these hours on its FSP page:
| Service | Hours listed by Metro |
|---|---|
| General FSP | Monday to Friday 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.; weekends 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. |
| ExpressLanes service (I-110 and I-10) | 4 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Big rig service (I-710 and SR-91) | 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
Metro also notes service on selected holidays. Hours can change, so check the official page before relying on them. Metro publishes a service map showing which freeway segments are patrolled.
How to get FSP help
- If anyone is hurt or you are in a live lane and in danger, call 911.
- For non-emergency help, Metro says to dial 511 from your mobile phone and say “Motorist Aid,” or use a freeway call box. During FSP hours, the request is forwarded to FSP, and a truck is sent when available.
- Watch for a roving truck. FSP trucks patrol continuously during service hours and may find you before you call.
Staying safe while you wait
Freeway shoulders are dangerous places. General safety guidance from California authorities, including the CHP, emphasizes these points:
- Get as far to the right as you safely can. If you can reach an exit, do so.
- Turn on your hazard lights.
- If you cannot get to a safe spot away from traffic, staying inside the vehicle with your seatbelt on is generally safer than standing next to the car.
- Never try to cross freeway lanes on foot.
- Be visible but stay away from the traffic side of the car.
California’s Move Over law, CVC 21809, requires approaching drivers to move over or slow down for stationary tow trucks with flashing amber lights, emergency vehicles, and, since January 1, 2026, any stationary vehicle displaying hazard lights or warning devices such as cones or flares. That gives you some legal protection, but do not count on every driver to obey it. We explain the law in our separate Move Over law guide.
Why leaving the car on the shoulder is risky
If FSP is not available and you decide to leave your car, be aware that CVC 22651(f) allows removal of a vehicle stopped on a fully access-controlled freeway for more than four hours if the driver cannot move it under its own power. Subdivision (b) also allows removal of a vehicle that obstructs traffic or creates a hazard. A CHP-directed tow usually goes to a storage yard, and you will pay towing and storage. Arranging your own tow quickly is usually cheaper.
After FSP: getting your car the rest of the way
If FSP moves your car to a safe drop location, you will usually need a regular tow to get it to a shop or home. Here is how to handle that well:
- Know your exact location. Note the drop location FSP gives you, the nearest cross street, and which direction you were traveling.
- Check your coverage first. Your auto insurance, car manufacturer warranty, or credit card may include roadside assistance.
- Get a clear quote before the truck is sent. Ask for the total price, including hook-up, mileage, and any after-hours charge. Our tow truck cost guide and tow cost calculator show what affects the price.
- Ask for the right equipment. All-wheel-drive, electric, and low cars often need a flatbed. See our guides to towing an EV or hybrid and vehicles that need special care.
- Watch out for scams. Be cautious about trucks that show up without being called and pressure you to sign. Our guide on avoiding towing scams explains warning signs.
If the breakdown was a crash
FSP is mainly for disabled vehicles. After a collision, call 911 if anyone is hurt or the car is blocking traffic, and follow officers’ directions. Our after-accident checklist walks through what to do and what information to collect.
Common questions
Does FSP cost anything?
No. LA Metro describes the service as free to motorists.
Can FSP help my motorcycle or truck?
Metro lists a separate big rig service on I-710 and SR-91. For other vehicle types, ask when you call. What the driver can do will depend on the vehicle and the situation.
Is FSP the same as AAA?
No. FSP is a public program limited to certain freeways and hours, and it only moves you to a safe location. A motor club or private tow company can take you where you want to go, usually for a fee or as a membership benefit.
Key takeaways
- Metro’s FSP offers free quick fixes and short tows off major LA County freeways during service hours.
- For non-emergencies, Metro says to dial 511 and say “Motorist Aid”; for emergencies, call 911.
- FSP only tows to CHP-designated safe locations, so plan a regular tow for the rest of the trip.
- Do not leave a car on a freeway shoulder for long: after four hours it can be removed under CVC 22651(f).
Prepared by the TowCars team from LA Metro’s official Freeway Service Patrol page and the California Vehicle Code on leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. TowCars is not affiliated with Metro, the CHP or Caltrans. Program details can change; check metro.net for the latest.
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