Mandatory car equipment and safety kit: the complete list
Share
High-visibility vest, triangle, breathalyser, first aid kit: it is not always clear what is actually required. Here is the list of mandatory car equipment in France, followed by the car safety kit we recommend to be truly prepared.
Mandatory car equipment in France
- A high-visibility vest, kept within reach, to put on before getting out.
- A warning triangle, to be placed at least 30 metres from the vehicle when conditions allow.
A missing breathalyser is no longer fined, and a first aid kit is not required for a private car. Some mountain areas require winter equipment (winter tyres or snow chains) during the cold season.
Mandatory equipment abroad
If you drive abroad, the rules change from country to country: first aid kit in Germany or Austria, fire extinguisher in some countries, a vest for every passenger elsewhere. Check the official website of each country before you leave.
Is a window breaker mandatory?
No, a window breaker is not mandatory in a private car in France. It is still recommended, because it is the only tool that lets you get out if the doors stay shut after a crash or in water. We cover this in is a window breaker mandatory in a car?
Car safety kit: our recommended list
- High-visibility vest and triangle (mandatory).
- First aid kit: see our list what to put in a car first aid kit.
- Window breaker and seatbelt cutter, fixed near the driver.
- Torch, gloves, emergency blanket.
- Jump leads and a phone charger.
Where to store each item?
The vest goes inside the cabin (door pocket, under the seat), so you can put it on before getting out. The triangle and the first aid kit go in the boot. The window breaker must be reachable with the seatbelt on: never in the boot or at the back of the glovebox.
The piece often missing from the kit
SafeCore Pro completes your car safety kit: a spring-loaded window breaker and a seatbelt cutter with a protected blade, fixed in the console with the supplied mount.
