The requirements for the equipment of a car traveling on Polish roads are the result of the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure and should be known to all who have passed the driving test. In the car you need a fire extinguisher (approved, with valid expiry date) and a warning triangle. Without these two elements, police control can cost a lot – from 20 to 500 gold. Not all drivers know that there is no obligation to have a first aid kit or reflective vest, though it is worth having them in the car.
Meanwhile, traveling around Europe involves the necessity to have more useful elements, other than in Poland. For example: you do not have to have a fire extinguisher everywhere. It is not compulsory in Switzerland. It is hard to imagine that someone crossing the border will throw it out of the car.
It is therefore imperative that you add the following items to your vehicle’s equipment, generally improving safety in case of emergency or unforeseen problems. And so, the main thing you need when traveling – apart from a triangle and a fire extinguisher – is a reflective vest. It is mandatory in many countries of the European Union, including: Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Spain, France and Slovakia. In some countries, such as Germany or Austria, in the event of a breakdown, you must not leave the car without a vest on highways or motorways. Switzerland, on the other hand, is harsh in terms of warning triangles, as regulations require two such security measures.
The absolutely unknown law in Poland is the necessity to carry spare bulbs with you. Many drivers from our country have them “just in case” but there are countries where they need to have them. This applies, inter alia, to Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Italy.
Scandinavian countries are not allowed to ride on “bald tires” – the tread thickness must be at least 1.6 millimeters, and in Spain blind drivers must drive in the car a second pair of glasses. Mountainous countries, in turn, require snow chains and require them to be used on certain roads.
The most restrictive and demanding country for motorized tourists is our neighboring Slovakia. Road law is exceptionally detailed in it. In addition to obvious requirements – such as having a triangle or fire extinguisher, you need to have spare fuses, bulbs, full-sized wheels, a lift, a wrench, and a tow rope. First aid kit in this country must be equipped with slices, dressings, isothermal foil, rubber gloves with reflective tape, safety pins and elastic bands.
The regulations on the compulsory equipment of the car in each country are slightly different, so before each trip make sure that we absolutely should take with us on the road.