The only mandatory car equipment in Poland is a fire extinguisher and a warning triangle. A first-aid kit and a reflective vest are not required today, although the government has drafted a rule making a first-aid kit mandatory in cars first registered after 31 March 2027. Abroad the list is longer: the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Austria and Croatia also require a first-aid kit, and most of them a vest. Below is a table for 7 countries, the fines in Poland and what you get in the car when you rent a car in Warsaw.
Mandatory car equipment in Poland in 2026
The Polish regulation on vehicle technical conditions requires two items in a passenger car (§ 11(1) points 13 and 14, Dz.U. 2024 item 502):
- a warning triangle with type approval,
- a fire extinguisher kept within easy reach.
You set up the triangle when you have to stop because of a breakdown. On a motorway or expressway it goes 100 m behind the car, together with your hazard lights; on other roads outside built-up areas 30-50 m behind. In built-up areas hazard lights are enough, and you place the triangle behind or on the car only if you have none (Art. 50 of the Road Traffic Act).
Driving without the required equipment can cost a 50-200 zł fine. Not marking a breakdown stop costs 150 zł, or 300 zł on a motorway or expressway.
New mandatory car equipment: a first-aid kit from 2027
Poland's Ministry of Infrastructure has drafted an amendment that adds a first-aid kit to the list. Under the draft, it will apply only to passenger cars first registered after 31 March 2027. Cars registered earlier will not need one. It is still a draft, and the final wording and date will be set only when it is published in the Journal of Laws. You can follow its progress on the draft regulation page of the Government Legislation Centre (in Polish).
Mandatory car equipment abroad: a table for 7 countries
| Country | Warning triangle | Reflective vest | First-aid kit | Fire extinguisher | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | yes | no | no (draft: cars first registered after 31.03.2027) | yes | - |
| Czech Republic | yes | driver must wear one during an emergency stop | yes | no | spare wheel with tools or a repair kit |
| Slovakia | yes | yes, 1 within the driver's reach | yes | no | spare wheel with wrench and jack (the law allows exceptions) |
| Germany | yes | yes, 1 | yes | no | - |
| Austria | yes | yes, 1 for the driver | yes | no | - |
| Croatia | yes | yes | yes, with an expiry date | no (private cars) | spare bulbs (not for LED or xenon), spare wheel or repair kit |
| Ukraine | yes | no | yes | yes | - |
In the Czech Republic a fire extinguisher is not required in a passenger car, but a first-aid kit and a spare wheel or repair kit are. Vignettes and toll roads are covered in our guide to the Czech vignette. In Slovakia the vest must be within the driver's reach. Road charges are explained in our guides to the Slovakia vignette and the Austria vignette.
In Croatia the first-aid kit must show an expiry date, and an expired kit counts as missing. The drive to Croatia crosses several of these countries, so check our guide to the Poland to Croatia road trip before you go. In Ukraine a fire extinguisher, first-aid kit and warning sign are mandatory, and you may not drive without them.
Do you need a reflective vest for every passenger?
No. Germany, Austria and Slovakia require one vest, and in the Czech Republic and Austria the duty to wear it applies to the driver. Still, it is worth having a vest for everyone who may step out onto the hard shoulder, especially on a motorway and after dark.
Mandatory equipment in a BLS rental car
Every car in our fleet has a fire extinguisher, a warning triangle, one reflective vest and a first-aid kit. That covers Poland and the list in the table for Germany and Austria. If you travel with passengers, bring your own vests for them. We do not supply snow chains, spare bulbs or extra winter equipment, except for business clients or by prior arrangement. When winter tyres are required in Austria and the Czech Republic is covered in our guide to winter tyres in Poland, the Czech Republic and Austria.
Before driving to the Czech Republic, Slovakia or Croatia, check at pick-up whether the car has a spare wheel or a repair kit. For a trip to Ukraine you can also rent a car in Poland with return in Ukraine.
Frequently asked questions
Is a first-aid kit mandatory in Poland in 2026?
No. Under the Ministry of Infrastructure draft it will be required only in cars first registered after 31 March 2027.
Is a reflective vest mandatory in Poland?
Not as car equipment. It is required in Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Croatia, and in the Czech Republic the driver must wear one during an emergency stop.
What is the fine for not having an extinguisher or triangle?
50 to 200 zł for driving without the required equipment.
What do you need in your car in Slovakia?
A warning triangle, a vest within the driver's reach, a first-aid kit, and a spare wheel with a wrench and jack. A fire extinguisher is not required in a passenger car.