A fire extinguisher, a first-aid kit, a high-visibility vest. What else do you need to take with you on a car journey?

Pack your car, and leave the toll payments to the Autopay app

Before setting off, you check the oil, tyre pressure and your route. You’re less likely to check what’s in the boot. And that’s a mistake, because every country in Europe has its own list of compulsory equipment, and not having a high-visibility vest or a first-aid kit whilst abroad will result in a fine.

You can sort out some of the paperwork at the Autopay app – You can buy e-vignettes for several European countries and pay for Polish motorways without having to stop at the toll gates. However, you’ll need to make sure you have a fire extinguisher, a first-aid kit and a high-visibility vest yourself.

We’re looking at what you must have in your car in Poland, what the countries Poles travel to most frequently require, and what’s worth taking with you, even if the regulations don’t require it.

Compulsory car equipment in Poland

In Poland, a passenger car must have just two things: a fire extinguisher and a warning triangle. This is due to Regulations on the technical requirements for vehicles. The fire extinguisher should be in good working order and kept in an easily accessible place – not buried under a pile of suitcases.

A first-aid kit is not compulsory in a private car. Taxis, buses and driving school cars, amongst others, must carry one. A high-visibility vest is also not required in Poland, although a pedestrian walking along the roadside after dark outside built-up areas must wear a reflective item – and a driver who gets out of their car whilst on the road effectively becomes a pedestrian.

For several years now, you haven’t had to carry your vehicle registration certificate or driving licence with you either – the police will check the details in the system. However, this rule only applies in Poland.

Compulsory car equipment by country

Abroad, the list is usually longer than in Poland. The most common requirements are: a warning triangle, a first-aid kit and a high-visibility vest. A fire extinguisher, which is compulsory here, is not required in many Western European countries. Below is a list of the compulsory equipment for passenger cars in popular destinations.

Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary – a warning triangle, a first-aid kit and a high-visibility vest. In Germany, a first-aid kit must comply with the DIN 13164 standard, and failure to carry a high-visibility vest, first-aid kit or warning triangle may result in a fine of around a dozen or so euros. In Austria, a driver must put on a high-visibility vest before getting out of the car following a breakdown or accident outside built-up areas.

the Czech Republic and Croatia – a warning triangle, a first-aid kit, a high-visibility vest and spare bulbs. You must carry spare bulbs if the bulbs in your car can be replaced by the driver. In the Czech Republic, you must also carry spare fuses, and the high-visibility vest must be within the driver’s reach, not in the boot.

France and Italy – a triangle and a high-visibility vest. In France, the high-visibility vest must be accessible without getting out of the car. French regulations also formally require a single-use breathalyser, but there is no penalty for not having one.

Spain – high-visibility vest and warning triangles or V-16 beacons. From 1 January 2026, cars registered in Spain must be fitted with a yellow V-16 warning light linked to the DGT system, instead of warning triangles. This requirement does not apply to drivers with foreign number plates – warning triangles will still suffice.

Lithuania, Bulgaria, Romania and Belgium – a fire extinguisher as well. In these countries, as well as a warning triangle and a first-aid kit, you must carry a fire extinguisher. In Romania, two warning triangles are required, whilst in Bulgaria, Romania and Belgium, a high-visibility vest is also required.

Regulations change every few years, so before you travel, check the current requirements for your destination and any transit countries – for example, on the website Travel advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or on the EU portal Your Europe .

Universal car kit for driving in Europe

Don’t want to check the regulations for every country individually? Take a kit that meets the requirements for almost all of Europe: a fire extinguisher, a warning triangle, a first-aid kit, a high-visibility vest for every passenger and a set of spare bulbs. The whole lot costs less than a single foreign fine.

It’s a good idea to have as many high-visibility vests as there are people travelling in the car. In some countries, everyone who gets out of the car at the side of the road is required to wear one, not just the driver. Keep them in the glove compartment or in the door pockets, not in the boot.

Also check the expiry date of the first-aid kit and the validity of the fire extinguisher’s certification. Expired dressings and a fire extinguisher with an empty pressure gauge will be treated as if they were missing in the event of an inspection.

Documents to take when driving abroad

Abroad, the Polish rule that the police will check your documents against a database does not apply. Take your driving licence and vehicle registration certificate with you, whether in paper or plastic form. If you are driving a company car or a leased vehicle, also take authorisation from the vehicle’s owner.

Third-party liability insurance is valid throughout the EU, but in some non-EU countries, such as Albania or Turkey, you will need a Green Card. It is also worth taking your European Health Insurance Card with you and checking whether your breakdown cover includes towing abroad.

In autumn and winter, the list gets longer

From November, winter regulations apply in many countries. In Austria, from 1 November to 15 April, and in the Czech Republic, from 1 November to 31 March, winter tyres are compulsory when there is snow, ice or slush on the road. In Germany, the requirement depends on road conditions rather than specific dates.

In the Alps, signs on some mountain roads require snow chains – even if you have good winter tyres. If you’re going skiing, take snow chains, an ice scraper and windscreen washer fluid suitable for freezing temperatures. In the mountains, it’s also a good idea to have a blanket and a fully charged power bank in the car.

Summary

Polish regulations only require a fire extinguisher and a warning triangle in the car, but this isn’t enough when travelling abroad. In most European countries, you also need a first-aid kit and a high-visibility vest, and in some – spare bulbs or a fire extinguisher. The easiest option is to carry a universal kit and check the regulations of your destination country before you set off.

You can sort out your road tolls whilst travelling at the Autopay app. You can buy e-vignettes for Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Slovakia, Switzerland and Hungary, and your journeys on the A1, A2 and A4 motorways will be paid for automatically, without having to stop at the toll gates. Pack your boot – leave the rest to us. Have a safe journey!

Download the Autopay app: App Store, Google Play.