The list of mandatory equipment for a car registered in Poland is not too long. The penalty for any shortcomings, however, turns out to be the most serious. Drivers face a fine of up to PLN 500!
Polish regulations do not impose prohibitive requirements on drivers. So what is the mandatory equipment for the car? According to the ordinance of the Minister of Infrastructure, this consists of two elements, i.e. a fire extinguisher and a warning triangle. In the case of a fire extinguisher, it is important that it has an ABC type and a content of the extinguishing agent of at least 1 kg, and that it is approved and placed in an easily accessible place. An interesting fact is that Polish regulations do not mention the validity of a fire extinguisher. Thus, the expiry of the approval date does not prevent the driver from fulfilling his obligation.
No fire extinguisher or triangle? A fine of up to PLN 500!
Mandatory equipment means that the driver may be fined for deficiencies. How much is the penalty? The ticket tariff indicates that the driver may be fined from PLN 20 to PLN 500 for the lack of a fire extinguisher or warning triangle. The final amount of the card is determined at the discretion of the policeman. And the consequences don’t end there. Because the leader is exposed to a fine also in a situation where the fire extinguisher is not in an easily accessible place. In addition, deficiencies in the mandatory equipment of the vehicle may have a problem with the extension of the validity of the technical examination during the inspection at the SKP.
The obligatory equipment of a car in Poland is rather … symbolic. It is therefore worth considering what else should be in the vehicle. What is worth buying? For example, a first aid kit. This should include a bandage and plasters with a dressing, protective gloves, disinfectant, a tourniquet, a heat-insulating blanket, a triangular scarf, or a mouthpiece for artificial respiration. In addition, the driver has to think about carrying a reflective vest in the car. This will improve its safety level in the event of a car breakdown after dark. The driver will be visible to other road users while walking around the damaged vehicle.
Mandatory car equipment. In the EU, the list can go on!
Polish regulations are not very restrictive in the case of mandatory vehicle equipment. However, we are not the only exception in Europe. For example, in Portugal, a car must have a warning triangle and a reflective vest, and in Great Britain only a warning triangle. Of course, there are also cases with much more restrictive regulations. And our neighbors – the Slovaks – come to the fore in this matter. Vehicles registered in Slovakia must have a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, a triangle, a set of spare bulbs and fuses, a vest, a spare wheel, and a tow rope. And almost the same long list applies in the Czech Republic or Spain.