First aid in the car – what female and male drivers should know.

Since 2022, an updated DIN standard (13164) has applied. It prescribes, among other things, two medical masks. At the same time, some contents were reduced: fewer triangular bandages and one less bandage cloth. If you still have an older kit in the car, you do not need to replace it immediately, but you should supplement missing materials. The expiration date is important – many sterile products such as gauze bandages or compresses must be replaced after expiry.

Fine for missing equipment

An incomplete or expired first-aid kit can incur a warning fine of up to ten euros. The completeness is also checked during the main inspection. For motorcycles there is no mandatory requirement, yet the ACE Auto Club Europa still recommends taking a small first-aid kit along here as well.

High-visibility vests: More than the minimum

One high-visibility vest per vehicle is legally required. However, experts recommend having a vest for every seat. This way, all occupants can exit safely in the event of a breakdown.
Motorists should pay attention to the DIN EN 20471 standard – it guarantees the necessary brightness and reflective strips. A simple test with a flash shows whether the vest reflects well. Additionally, a proper size is crucial so the vest fits over a winter jacket.

Using the warning triangle correctly

The warning triangle is mandatory and serves to warn other road users early. It must be portable, stable on the ground, and reflective and must comply with ECE R27. ACE recommends practicing setting it up once calmly so as not to lose time in an emergency.

Modern addition: V16 warning light

The V16 warning light is a suitable addition. It is mounted on the vehicle roof and makes the car visible from a great distance. In Germany it may be used, but it does not replace the warning triangle. In Spain, however, it is set to become mandatory from 2026 and replace the triangle.

Additional emergency aids in the car

In addition to the mandatory equipment, experts advise keeping further aids in the vehicle:

• Emergency hammer: for breaking panes of tempered safety glass (ESG).
• Seatbelt cutter: useful when a seat belt can no longer be released after an accident.
• Fire extinguisher: to contain smaller fires until help arrives. It should, however, be securely stored so that it does not become a hazard itself. Fire extinguishers are recommended for vehicles intended to carry passengers and are required in some places.
• Additional high-visibility vests for passengers