Category: Quick Guide / Everyday Skills

⚡ What to Do When You’re Running Late

You look at the clock and realize you are not going to make it on time.

Maybe traffic is worse than expected. You missed the bus. Getting ready took longer than planned. You left later than you should have.

Whatever the reason, do not make the situation worse by rushing unsafely or avoiding the person who is waiting for you.

Figure out how late you will be, let the appropriate person know, and focus on getting there safely.

Helpful Resources: Browse Reminders, Routines & Everyday Automation for products, equipment, services, or supplies related to this section.

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1. Figure Out How Late You’ll Be

Check the time and estimate when you can realistically arrive.

Use:

• Navigation app
• Transit app
• Current traffic
• Remaining travel time

Do not tell someone:

“I’ll be there in five minutes.”

if you know it will probably take twenty.

Give a realistic estimate.

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2. Let Someone Know

If someone is expecting you, contact them as soon as you safely can.

You can say:

“I’m sorry, I’m running about 15 minutes late. I expect to be there around 2:45.”

For an appointment:

“Hi, I have a 2:30 appointment, but I’m running about 15 minutes late. Will I still be able to be seen?”

A short message is usually better than arriving late without saying anything.

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3. If You’re Driving, Keep Driving Safely

Being late is not an emergency.

Do not:

• Speed
• Run lights
• Make dangerous turns
• Drive aggressively
• Type messages while driving
• Try to make up lost time on the road

If you need to make a call or send a message, use an appropriate hands-free option or pull over somewhere safe.

Arriving safely matters more than recovering five minutes.

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4. Decide What Can Wait

When you are late, you may start trying to do everything faster.

Instead, ask:

“What actually needs to happen before I leave?”

Maybe you can skip:

• Folding the laundry
• Cleaning up
• Checking another email
• Finishing a nonurgent task
• Making an unnecessary stop

Do not skip something necessary for safety just to save time.

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5. Bring What You Actually Need

Before racing out the door, take a few seconds to check:

□ Phone
□ Wallet
□ Keys
□ Identification
□ Anything required for the appointment or activity

Forgetting something important can turn ten minutes late into thirty.

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6. If You’ll Be Very Late

Sometimes the delay is large enough that the original plan may no longer work.

Call and ask.

For an appointment:

“I’m going to be about 30 minutes late. Should I still come, or do I need to reschedule?”

For work, school, or another commitment, follow the appropriate procedure for reporting that you will be late.

Do not assume they can still accommodate you.

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7. If You Miss It Completely

Contact the person or organization.

Apologize briefly and ask what happens next.

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t able to get there in time. Can I reschedule?”

There may be:

• Rescheduling requirements
• Missed appointment fee
• Another available time
• Different next step

Find out instead of avoiding the situation.

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8. Afterward, Figure Out What Happened

Once the immediate problem is over, ask:

“Why was I late?”

Maybe you:

• Left too late
• Underestimated travel time
• Could not find something
• Forgot about the appointment
• Did not account for parking
• Got delayed unexpectedly

If the same problem keeps happening, change the system.

You might:

• Set an earlier alarm
• Add travel time to your calendar
• Prepare the night before
• Put keys and wallet in one place
• Set a “leave now” reminder

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⏰ RUNNING LATE? START HERE

□ Estimate your realistic arrival time

□ Contact whoever is expecting you

□ Tell them approximately how late you’ll be

□ Ask whether you should still come if it is an appointment

□ Do not drive or travel unsafely to make up time

□ Skip unnecessary tasks

□ Check phone, wallet, keys, and anything you need

□ Reschedule if necessary

□ Afterward, figure out what caused the delay

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🗣️ QUICK RUNNING-LATE SCRIPT

If someone is waiting:

“I’m sorry, I’m running about ______ minutes late. I expect to arrive around ______.”

For an appointment:

“I have an appointment at ______, but I’m running about ______ minutes late. Should I still come?”

If you will miss it:

“I’m sorry, I’m not going to make it in time. Can I reschedule?”

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Being late happens. Once you realize it, focus on what you can still control: communicate, give an accurate arrival time, travel safely, and deal with any changes that need to be made.