Travelling abroad by car often starts with navigation, vignettes and insurance. But just as important is the compulsory equipment of the car, which varies among our neighbours. What is sufficient in the Czech Republic may be insufficient abroad and lead to a fine, document detention or even a ban on further driving. What is the mandatory car equipment in Austria, Slovakia, Poland and Germany?
Many Czech drivers assume that mandatory car equipment is the same throughout the European Union. But this is not true. Although the basic rules of the road are based on common European principles, the specific compulsory car equipment is always regulated by the national rules of each country. Police abroad assess the equipment during road checks according to local law, not according to Czech regulations. Therefore, if you do not have the mandatory equipment to the required extent, you run the risk of being sanctioned, even if everything would be fine in the Czech Republic.
Especially in touristy areas of Austria, Germany or Poland, road checks target foreign drivers very strictly. Fines are often paid on the spot and may be accompanied by a deposit. In some cases, the police may not allow you to continue driving until the fault has been rectified. That’s why it’s important to know the specific requirements for mandatory car equipment in each country and not to underestimate the preparation before you travel.
Mandatory car equipment in Austria is one of the most common sources of problems for Czech drivers, as Austrian regulations are in some respects stricter than Czech ones. Every motor vehicle must be equipped with a warning triangle, which must meet European homologations and be usable in the event of an accident or breakdown. A reflective vest is also mandatory. Although Austrian law does not explicitly stipulate the number of vests, in practice it is required that a reflective vest is available to anyone exiting a vehicle on the roadway or shoulder. Thus, having only one vest may be assessed as insufficient compliance with the obligation during an inspection.
Another compulsory item of car equipment in Austria is a car first aid kit. This must be complete, not leaky and conform to normal European standards. Austrian regulations do not require a specific Austrian standard, but the contents and expiry date are checked. A compulsory first aid kit is also required for motorcycles. Fire extinguishers are not compulsory, but their presence is recommended, especially when travelling in the Alps or in winter.
Winter tyres are a specific area. Although these are not part of the car’s compulsory equipment in the strict sense, they are compulsory in winter conditions between 1 November and 15 April. Their absence can lead to heavy fines and vicarious liability in the event of an accident. Austria is known for its strict enforcement of traffic regulations, so it pays to have your mandatory car equipment in full order in Austria.
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Compulsory car equipment in Slovakia is relatively similar to Czech drivers, but differs in some details. Every motor vehicle must be equipped with a warning triangle, which must be used in the event of an accident or when standing in a dangerous place. A reflective vest is also a compulsory part of the equipment. Slovak regulations require the driver to have it available and use it when exiting the vehicle on the road or roadside outside the municipality. In practice, it is recommended to have more reflective vests, especially if you are travelling with your family.
Another mandatory item is a car first aid kit. Unlike in Austria, Slovak law stipulates quite specific contents of the first aid kit. It must correspond to the Slovak decree that regulates medical supplies for first aid. Not only is the presence of the first aid kit checked, but also its completeness and the shelf life of the individual components. A missing or expired first aid kit is a common reason for fines.
A fire extinguisher or spare bulbs are not compulsory equipment in Slovakia, but their presence is considered a reasonable precaution. As in Austria, winter tyres are compulsory in winter if there is a continuous layer of snow, ice or frost on the road. The Slovak police are entitled to impose a fine on the spot and, in the event of a serious violation, to prohibit further driving.
Compulsory car equipment in Poland is often considered one of the simplest, but this is what can be tricky. Polish regulations stipulate only two mandatory equipment items. The first is a warning triangle, which must be used in the event of an accident or vehicle breakdown on the road. The second mandatory item is a fire extinguisher. This must be functional, easily accessible and regularly checked. The absence of a fire extinguisher is one of the most common reasons for fining foreign drivers in Poland.
Unlike in most other countries, a reflective vest or a car first aid kit is not compulsory in Poland. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t come in handy. In the event of an accident or vehicle breakdown, the absence of a reflective vest can significantly increase the risk of health hazards. Moreover, Polish police often assess the overall preparedness of the driver in practice, and although there is no penalty for a missing first aid kit, its absence can be perceived negatively when dealing with a traffic accident.
Tip: A traffic accident doesn’t have to have only one culprit. Very often, police, insurance companies and courts assess whether the mistakes of multiple parties contributed to the damage. This situation is called contributory negligence in a car accident. Learn how contributory negligence is determined and when it may apply to you.
Poland is known for its relatively strict approach to traffic offences and road checks are common, especially on main routes and in border areas. Fines can be imposed on the spot and in some cases immediate payment is required. Although mandatory car equipment in Poland is minimal, the obligation to have a fire extinguisher often comes as a surprise to Czech drivers. It is therefore worth checking the equipment carefully before travelling to Poland.
Compulsory equipment in Germany is one of those that have been developed and tightened in recent years. Every passenger vehicle must be equipped with a warning triangle. In addition, a reflective vest is mandatory. German regulations now require at least one reflective vest to be provided in the vehicle, but it is recommended that all crew members have vests, as the person must be visibly marked when exiting the vehicle on a motorway or expressway.
Another compulsory item of equipment in Germany is a first aid kit. This must comply with the German DIN standard, which lays down the exact contents of medical supplies. Not only is the presence of the first aid kit checked, but also its currency and completeness. An outdated or incomplete first aid kit is considered a breach of duty. A fire extinguisher is not compulsory, but its presence is welcomed, especially in vehicles with a higher risk of technical defects.
Germany is specific in its severity in traffic accidents. If you do not have the mandatory equipment in order and an accident occurs, this can affect not only the fine but also the liability for the damage caused. Mandatory equipment in Germany is therefore an area that no driver should underestimate, especially when using motorways without speed limits.
Tip: From January 2026, cars that drive themselves in certain situations can legally drive on Czech roads. The new legislation has made it possible to operate vehicles with so-called conditional automation, but at the same time clearly sets their limits, liability for accidents and the role of the driver. What lies ahead for self-driving cars?
A fine for missing or incomplete compulsory car equipment abroad may not always be justified. In practice, we see cases where the police have misinterpreted the rules or where the penalty imposed on the driver is disproportionate to the seriousness of the offence. If you are not sure whether you have actually broken local rules, it is worth consulting a lawyer. Fines imposed abroad can also be enforced in the Czech Republic and ignoring them usually does not pay off.
Proper mandatory car equipment is the best prevention, but if a problem does arise, legal help can save time, money and unnecessary worry.
Compulsory car equipment is one of the most often underestimated obligations of Czech drivers when travelling abroad. However, as the overview of Austria, Slovakia, Poland and Germany shows, individual countries have different requirements and relying solely on Czech mandatory equipment may not be worthwhile. While in Austria and Germany the emphasis is mainly on reflective vests and a complete first aid kit, Poland surprises with the obligation to carry a fire extinguisher in the vehicle. Slovakia is the closest to the Czech rules, but has its own regulation on the contents of a first aid kit, failure to comply with which can lead to a fine.
The biggest risk is not just the financial penalty itself, but also the possibility of being banned from driving, having to pay a deposit or being involved in a traffic accident. In such situations, it is no longer just a matter of missing equipment, but of the driver’s legal liability, which can manifest itself retrospectively upon return to the Czech Republic.
In most cases, it is not enough. Czech mandatory equipment does not always correspond to the requirements of neighbouring countries. A typical problem is, for example, the number of reflective vests or the contents of the first aid kit. The police abroad assess equipment solely according to local regulations, not according to Czech law.
The statutory scheme varies from state to state. In Austria and Germany, it is in practice required that everyone who leaves a vehicle on the road or roadside must wear a reflective vest. Thus, having only one vest may be considered as insufficient compliance, especially in the event of a traffic accident.
No. A first aid kit is compulsory in Austria, Slovakia and Germany, and Germany in particular requires a DIN-compliant first aid kit. In Poland, a first aid kit is not compulsory, but its absence can complicate the handling of an accident.
Polish law emphasises the immediate response to a vehicle fire, so a fire extinguisher is one of the few, but essential, mandatory items of equipment. Its absence is a frequent reason for fines imposed on foreign drivers.
Yes. If you do not pay the fine on the spot or it is dealt with in administrative proceedings, it can be subsequently enforced in the Czech Republic. Ignoring a demand for payment is usually not worthwhile and can lead to further costs.
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