Emergency & Same-Day Locksmith
Locked out right now? Call — priority response across Truckee–North Tahoe, honest ETAs, evenings until 10 PM.
Locked out right now? Skip this page and call (530) 308-6643. Lockouts get priority response — a real local answers, gives you a free estimate and an honest arrival window, and the van rolls.
Same-day help, evenings until 10 PM — weekend emergencies too
We run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM Pacific — which covers the after-work lockout, the dinner-time broken key and the late ski-lot rescue. Home, cabin, business or vehicle: most emergency entries are done damage-free in one visit, and we can rekey or cut spares on the spot so it doesn't happen twice.
While you wait
Get warm and stay by your phone. Please don't attack the door — pried frames, snapped credit cards and bent window seals routinely cost more than the professional unlock. If someone vulnerable is locked inside a car or home and at risk, call 911 first; safety outranks the door, and we'll coordinate right behind them.
Outside our hours?
Weekend emergency? Call — Dean takes weekend emergency call-outs at an emergency rate, quoted plainly before the van rolls. Late night past 10 PM, send the request form and we reply first thing at 8 AM. And be careful with “24/7 locksmith” search ads: many are national brokers with bait pricing. Our guide to spotting locksmith scams can save you hundreds tonight.
Who shows up
Dean Sperlin's van — owner-operated, licensed (CA LCO #1319), bonded and insured, serving this area since 1996. The person on the phone is the person at your door.
Locked out right now? Don’t panic — and please don’t pry anything. Call for a free phone estimate and a real arrival window.
☎ (530) 308-6643Emergency locksmith — straight answers
Are you a 24/7 locksmith?
Our regular hours are Monday–Friday 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM Pacific — and on weekends we take emergency call-outs at an emergency rate. That's the honest version of “24/7”: a real local who picks up and tells you the fee straight, not a national call center with bait pricing.
How fast can you get to me?
We give you a realistic arrival window on the phone based on where you are and what the roads are doing — Truckee fastest (home base), the North Shore typically 20–35 minutes in normal conditions. No slogans, just an honest ETA.
What should I do while I wait?
Get somewhere warm and stay reachable. Don't pry doors or windows — forced entry usually costs more than the unlock. If a child or pet is locked in and at risk, call 911 first, then us.
What counts as an emergency?
Locked out of your home, cabin or car; keys lost with your address attached; a break-in that needs same-day securing; a broken key stranding you. If it can't wait until tomorrow, call — we'll tell you straight what we can do today.
★★★★★ Loved on Google · 4.8★ on Yelp across 42 reviews
They Love Us — and We Love Truckee–Tahoe
“Lightning Lock & Key provided excellent service from start to finish. Dean was great to work with — patient, knowledgeable, and incredibly responsive. …I was scheduled for the very next day, and Dean arrived on time, communicated clearly throughout the process, and walked me through what needed to be done. …If you’re looking for a reliable, knowledgeable locksmith in the Tahoe/Truckee area, I highly recommend Lightning Lock & Key.”
“Dean is my go-to for lock and lock-related issues. He is prompt, responsive and an all-around wonderful locksmith and has been for many years of service!”
“Dean was super-knowledgeable and helped us when we were locked out. Hope to never need again but would definitely recommend Lightning to others.”
Request service
Tell Us What’s Going On
Fastest help is always a call — (530) 308-6643. Prefer to write? Send the details and we’ll get right back to you with a free estimate.
One Call. Problem Solved.
Free phone estimate · Licensed, bonded & insured · Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM