Car Lockout in Portland, OR

Keys locked in a running car

Many car lockouts start with the engine on: a driver steps out to clear a window, grab an order or open a gate, and the doors lock behind them. Portland City Code 16.20.120 M sets out what a driver must do when leaving a vehicle unattended on a street or other public property: stop the engine, lock the ignition, remove the key, set the brake and, on a grade, turn the front wheels to the curb. Idling with the key inside does not meet that standard. Taking the key every time you step out prevents the lockout and keeps you within the rule. This is general information, not legal advice.

With a keyless-entry car, say where the fob is: inside the car, in a bag, or lost. The answer changes what kind of request it is.

Safety first

If a child or a pet is locked inside, call 911 first. A closed car can heat up in the sun even on a mild day, and a cold, wet day carries its own risk to anyone left inside. The first call is 911, not a locksmith.

Where the car is

• On the street. Give the nearest intersection and which side of the block the car is on.
• In a building garage. The Pearl District now has loft conversions and high-rise condominiums where warehouses and rail yards stood, so a car there may sit in the building's garage. Say which level and space, and who can open the gate.
• In a lot. Say whether the lot is open, gated or attended, and whether the car is under cover.

Details for the request

For a car lockout, include:

1. the address or nearest intersection, prefix included
2. the make, model and year
3. whether the engine is running and whether the key is inside or lost
4. how to reach the car, including any gate or code

Have photo ID and the registration ready once the car is open. If the key is lost rather than locked in, see car key replacement.