You pull into your driveway, turn off your engine, go to remove your key from the ignition... and it snaps.

Stay calm - this isn't the end of the world. It's common for car keys to break, and they're usually fairly easy to remove. We've listed three methods for removing the broken part of your key below. The one you choose will depend on the tools you have available and the type of key you're attempting to remove.

Keys can't be mended, so you'll need to contact a car locksmith for a replacement once you've removed the broken key.

Use pliers to remove the key

If you've got a pair of thin nose pliers to hand, this is the solution we'd recommend trying first.

1. Use a pair of thin pliers to open the key slot.

2. Gently push the pliers into the slot, towards the broken key.

3. Use the pliers to grip the broken section of key firmly.

4. Pull firmly to remove the broken section of the key.

Use thin metal to remove the key

No pliers? Don't worry. You can attempt the solution above using a long pair of tweezers or use a paperclip to follow the instructions below.

1. Push the end of your key into the ignition. It will serve as a guide to where the broken section of the key is.

2. Take two thin pieces of metal, creating a slight bend at the end of each piece.

3. Gently insert the two pieces of metal alongside the key.

4. Hook the pieces of metal into the grooves at the edge of the broken part of the key.

5. Remove the end of the key.

6. Gently pull on the pieces of metal to grip and remove the broken part of the key.

Call an auto locksmith to remove the key

If you can't remove the key yourself, or are worried about damaging your ignition key opening, it's best to call a car locksmith. They'll use professional tools to remove the broken key fragment in a safe and effective way. This is especially useful if the broken part is very small, or if the key has broken into multiple pieces. As well as removing it safely, they'll be able to cut you a new car key to replace the damaged one. You'll kill two birds with one stone and won't have to worry about making a mistake while trying to retrieve your broken key.