Cart is empty What safety products do you need when driving in Europe?
Which countries require Fire Extinguishers and other safety products according to their rules and regulations.
Are you thinking about doing any driving in Europe? You might be thinking – “What safety products do you need when driving in Europe?” Here is your guide to what products you need in different countries.
First off, most importantly almost all the other countries in Europeย drive on the right hand side of the road. That is a costly one to forget when making the transition from the UK to the rest of Europe.ย
First Aid Kit and Fire Extinguisher
A car first aid kit and fire extinguisher is required by law in most Nordic, Eastern European, Baltic and Soviet countries.
A vehicle first aid kit and fire extinguisher is not legally required when driving in France, Spain, Italy, Germany and other Central European countries however it is still recommended.
Choosing the correct fire extinguisher is also important. Here is our Guide to the Best Fire Extinguishers for Cars.
Spare Light Bulbs
You are required to carry spare light bulbs when driving in France, the Czech Republic and some Yugosphere countries.
Reflective Jacket
The majority of European countries require aย reflective jacketย or vest for either just the driver or every passenger in the car. The notable exception is for driving in the Netherlands and the likes of Albania and Ireland. You are still recommended to have these reflective jackets. Even in countries where they are not required by law.ย
Emergency Triangle
Aside from the UK, almost all European countries require the vehicle to be equipped with anย emergency triangle to be used in accidents or breakdowns (Some countries such as Spain, Cyprus, Estonia and Bosnia even require 2). Even if the country does not require an emergency triangle by law, it is still recommended to carry one.
European Driving Safety Requirements
| Countries | First Aid Kit | Fire Extinguisher | Spare Light Bulbs | Reflective Jacket | Emergency Triangle |
| Albania | Y | Y | Y | N | One |
| Andorra | N | Y | Y | Y | Two |
| Austria | Y | N | N | Y | One |
| Belarus | Y | Y | Y | Y | One |
| Belgium | Y | Y | N | Y | One |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | Y | N | N | Y | Two |
| Bulgaria | Y | Y | N | Y | One |
| Croatia | N | N | N | Y | One |
| Czech Republic | Y | N | Y | Y | One |
| Denmark | Y | Y | Y | Y | One |
| Estonia | Y | Y | Y | Y | Two |
| Finland | Y | Y | Y | Y | One |
| France | N | N | Y | Y | One |
| Germany | Y | N | N | Y | One |
| Greece | Y | Y | N | N | One |
| Hungary | Y | N | N | Y | One |
| Iceland | Y | Y | Y | Y | One |
| Ireland | Y | Y | Y | N | One |
| Italy | N | N | N | Y | One |
| Latvia | Y | Y | Y | Y | One |
| Liechtenstein | Y | Y | Y | Y | One |
| Lithuania | Y | Y | Y | Y | One |
| Luxembourg | Y | Y | Y | Y | One |
| Malta | Y | Y | Y | Y | One |
| Moldova | Y | Y | Y | Y | One |
| Monaco | Y | Y | Y | Y | One |
| Montenegro | Y | Y | Y | Y | One |
| Netherlands | N | N | N | N | One |
| North Macedonia | Y | Y | Y | Y | One |
| Norway | Y | Y | Y | Y | One |
| Poland | N | Y | N | Y | One |
| Portugal | N | N | N | Y | One |
| Romania | Y | Y | N | Y | One |
| Russia | Y | Y | Y | Y | One |
| San Marino | Y | Y | Y | Y | One |
| Serbia | Y | Y | Y | Y | One |
| Slovakia | Y | Y | Y | Y | One |
| Slovenia | Y | Y | Y | Y | One |
| Spain | N | N | N | Y | Two |
| Sweden | Y | Y | Y | Y | One |
| Switzerland | N | N | N | N | One |
| Ukraine | Y | Y | Y | Y | One |
| United Kingdom | N | N | N | N | None |
| Vatican City | N | N | N | Y | One |