What Must Be in a Car in Germany
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In Germany, the driver of a passenger car must carry at least three mandatory items: a car first-aid kit, a warning triangle, and a high-visibility vest. These items are not just a formality: in the event of an accident or breakdown, the driver must secure the scene and, if necessary, provide first aid.
Mandatory kit in the car
The requirements are set out in the German road-vehicle regulations, StVZO. For a normal trip around Germany, make sure your car has:
| What must be in the car | What to pay attention to |
|---|---|
| First-aid kit | The kit must comply with the current DIN 13164 standard and be fit for use. |
| Warning triangle | It must be accessible and in working order so you can place it quickly in the event of an accident or breakdown. |
| High-visibility vest | In Germany, a passenger car must have at least one vest; in practice, it is better to keep one vest per person in the car. |
Motorcycles and scooters have separate exceptions, so this checklist mainly applies to passenger cars and other multi-wheel vehicles.
Car first-aid kit
Getting a driver’s license in Germany is connected to a first-aid course: that is where they explain how to act before rescuers arrive and how to use the materials from the first-aid kit.
German car first-aid kit in sealed packaging.
For the driver, three practical checks matter:
- the packaging or insert states DIN 13164;
- the expiration date of sterile materials has not passed;
- the kit is complete, including medical masks, dressings, gloves, scissors, a rescue blanket, and first-aid instructions.
It is not worth putting together a first-aid kit from random medical items. A ready-made kit with DIN 13164 marking is easier to verify when buying it and during a police check. If the expiration date has passed or some of the contents have been used, it is better to replace the kit or refill it with original materials.
Warning triangle
The triangle is needed to warn other drivers about a stopped vehicle in advance. It complements the hazard lights, but does not replace them.
An emergency triangle with reflective elements is placed to warn other drivers.
If you break down or have an accident, act in this order:
- Turn on the hazard lights.
- Put on the high-visibility vest before stepping onto the roadway.
- Exit from the safe side, if possible.
- Unfold and place the triangle so approaching drivers have time to react.
- Return to a safe place and call for help.
Distance guidelines depend on the road and visibility:
- in the city, about 50 meters;
- on a country road, about 100 meters;
- on the Autobahn, around 150-400 meters, and even farther if traffic is fast or visibility is poor.
If the accident site was not properly marked, it can affect not only the fine but also the assessment of responsibility after a crash. The insurance company may check whether the driver followed what to do after a breakdown or accident in Germany.
High-visibility vest
Under §53a StVZO, a high-visibility vest must be in the car. In Germany, one mandatory vest per vehicle is enough, but for a real trip it is more sensible to keep a separate vest for each passenger.
Standard orange vest for use in the event of an accident or breakdown.
When buying one, look for EN ISO 20471 or the older EN 471 marking. Permitted signal colors are usually yellow, orange, or red-orange. The vest should not be in the trunk under suitcases, but somewhere you can reach it before getting out of the car: in a door pocket, glove compartment, or under the seat.
Fines for missing mandatory items
During a roadside check, the driver must be able to show the mandatory items. If the item is there but stored in a way that the driver cannot find or reach it, that can be almost as unpleasant as not having it at all.
| Violation | Approximate Verwarnungsgeld |
|---|---|
| No usable first-aid kit | 5 euros |
| No high-visibility vest | 15 euros |
| No warning triangle | 15 euros |
The fines are small, but saving money on the kit makes no sense: in an accident, these items matter more than during a normal document check.
What else is useful to carry
The law requires only the minimum, but for trips around Germany it is more convenient to keep an expanded kit in the car:
- an ice scraper and snow brush;
- a parking disc;
- a flashlight;
- gloves;
- a cloth or towel for fogged windows;
- a tow rope;
- tie-down straps for luggage;
- a blanket or warm cover for winter trips;
- a spare wheel, repair kit, or tire sealant;
- a jack and wheel wrench, if they fit your car;
- a compressor or pump;
- a jump starter for the battery;
- a reserve of drinking water;
- engine oil, if your car uses it.
A fire extinguisher is usually not part of the mandatory kit in a normal passenger car in Germany, but it can be useful if the driver knows how to use it and stores it securely.
Documents for the trip
Besides the equipment, the driver should carry:
- a driver’s license of the appropriate category;
- vehicle documents;
- details of car insurance, including the policy number and the insurer’s phone number.
Before a long trip, it helps to do a quick check: the first-aid kit is not expired, the triangle is in place, the vest is within reach, the documents are in the car, and the phone is charged. It takes only a couple of minutes and can save you trouble during a roadside check or on the shoulder.
