Compulsory Equipment

What you should carry in your horsebox when driving on the Continent

Here are some items of equipment that are compulsory or recommended when traveling within areas of Europe.

Key:

  • C = Compulsory
  • R = Recommended
  • DL = Driving on the left 

Country

First Aid Kit(Note 1)

Fire Extinguisher

Warning Triangle

Spare Bulbs (Notes 1&2)

Headlamp Adjustment (Note 3)

Andorra

R

R

C

C

C

Austria

C

R

C

R

R

Belgium

R

R

C

R

C

Bosnia & Herzegovina

C

R

C (Note 4)

C

C

Bulgaria

C (Note 5)

C

C

R

R

Croatia

C (Note 5)

R

C (Note 4)

C (Note 5)

C

Cyprus (Rep of)

R

R

C (Note 6)

R

DL

Czech Rep

C

R

C

C

C

Denmark

R

R

C (Note 7)

R

C

Finland

R

R

C

R

C

France & Monaco

R

R

C (Note 8 and 8a)

R

C

Germany

R

R

C (Note 7)

R

C

Gibraltar

R

R

R

R

C

Greece

C (Note 5)

C

C

R

R

Hungary

C

R

C

R

R

Ireland (Rep of)

R

R

C

R

DL

Italy & San Marino

R

R

C

R

R

Luxembourg

R

R

C (Note 7)

R

R

Malta

R

R

R

R

DL

Netherlands

R

R

C (Note 8)

R

C

Norway

R

R

C

R

C

Poland

C

C

C

R

R

Portugal

R

R

C (Note 8)

R

R

Romania

C

C

C

R

C

Slovakia

C

R

C

C

C

Slovenia

R

R

C (Note 8)

R

R

Spain

R

R

C (Note 9)

C

C

Sweden

R

R

C

R

C

Switzerland & Liechtenstein

R

R

C

R

R

UK

R

R

R

R

DL

Notes

  1. Applies to all vehicles unless stated otherwise.
  2. A spare bulb kit will not avoid a fine if you are traveling with faulty lights, but replacing a bulb on the spot may avoid the cost and inconvenience of a garage call out. On some vehicles it is inadvisable or indeed impossible for anyone other than a qualified technician to change a headlamp bulb or lamp unit eg high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps, so carrying spare bulbs is not an option. However, carry spare bulbs for any lights which can be easily and/or safely changed.
  3. Regardless of local requirements, it is wise to adjust headlamp beam for driving on the right. Generally this can be done for most vehicles using headlamp beam converters but for newer vehicles with high-intensity discharge (HID), xenon or many halogen headlamps it is not so easy. Check out what you must do well before your intended departure by contacting a dealer for your make of vehicle. Without adjustment, dipped beams will dazzle oncoming drivers and you could be fined. This adjustment is not required for two-wheeled vehicles as the beam pattern is more symmetrical, but check that any extra loading has not affected the beam height.
  4. Two warning triangles required if towing trailer.
  5. Recommended for motorcycles.
  6. Two warning triangles compulsory.
  7. Although visitors don't have to carry warning triangles, it is compulsory to use them in an accident or breakdown situation.
  8. Hazard warning lights or a warning triangle are compulsory in an accident or breakdown situation. However, a warning triangle should always be carried as hazard warning lights have no effect at bends or rises in the road and may, of course, become damaged or inoperative.

      9. 8.a Warning triangle compulsory for trailers with total authorised laden weight exceeding 500kg.

  9. One warning triangle compulsory for non-Spanish registered vehicles; two for Spanish registered vehicles. Note Drivers of non-Spanish registered vehicles should consider carrying two triangles as regardless of regulations, local officials may impose on-the-spot fines if only one is available.