Vie Hachés: The Euro Car Kit You Actually Need (France + Europe) — What to pack, what’s optional, and one-bag kits you can buy

on

Bonjour, boot organizers and glovebox goblins 🧤👋. If you’re bringing a UK-registered car across la Manche, here’s the calm, de-faffed guide to what you must carry in France (and the “cover-most-countries” kit for wider Europe), plus trusted one-bag kits you can just… buy.

France: the non-negotiables (by law)

  • High-visibility vest (gilet jaune) — keep it within reach of the cabin. One per car is the legal minimum; having one per occupant is smart. (Service-Public)

  • Warning triangle — homologated; use if stopped in a dangerous spot (don’t endanger yourself on motorways). (Service-Public)

  • Adjusted headlights — RHD cars must avoid dazzling oncoming traffic: use headlamp beam converters or your car’s built-in “tourist”/left-drive setting. (RAC)

  • UK identifier — Display a UK sticker unless your number plate already shows the UK mark with the Union Flag. In Spain, Cyprus and Malta a UK sticker is needed whatever’s on your plate. (No sticker needed for Ireland.) (GOV.UK)

Documents to carry (don’t wing this)

  • Driving licence, proof of insurance, and V5C (or VE103 if it’s a lease/finance/hire). Paper-licence holders may need an IDP for some countries; photocard holders generally don’t for France. (GOV.UK)

  • French police can also check that your vest/triangle are on board. (Service-Public)

France extras you might need depending on where/when you go

  • Crit’Air sticker (clean-air vignette) — required to enter many French low-emission zones (Paris, Lyon, etc.). Order only from the official site before you travel. (certificat-air.gouv.fr)

  • Winter equipment (“Loi Montagne”) — in set mountain areas 1 Nov–31 Mar, you must have winter tyres (3PMSF) or carry chains/snow socks. Check your route if you’re heading to the Alps/Massif Central/Vosges/Jura/Pyrenees. (Securité Routière)

  • Speed-camera gear — detectors and camera-location alerts are illegal in France; disable those app features. (The AA)

  • Breathalyser? Once “a thing”, it’s no longer mandatory (scrapped by decree in 2020). Carry one if you like, but you won’t be fined for not having it. (legifrance.gouv.fr)

The “covers-most-of-Europe” car kit (so you’re ready beyond France)

Pack this and you’ll meet kit rules in France and most nearby countries you’ll likely drive through:

  1. Warning triangle (some countries ask for two; Spain switches to V16 beacons from 1 Jan 2026) (European Road Safety Charter)

  2. Hi-vis vest for each occupant (handy everywhere; mandatory in many countries) (RAC)

  3. Headlamp beam converters or built-in headlight adjustment for RHD → LHD driving (RAC)

  4. First-aid kit (DIN 13164) — compulsory in Germany/Austria; widely recommended elsewhere (en.cebia.com)

  5. UK sticker (even if you have UK on your plate, you’ll still need a sticker in Spain/Cyprus/Malta) (GOV.UK)

  6. Spare bulb kit (not always mandatory, but a practical fix if one blows) (Euro Car Parts)

  7. Fire extinguisher (not required for foreign cars in Belgium, but it is for Belgian-registered vehicles; Poland requires one) — carry a small ABC if you’re touring widely. (RAC)

Quick Spain note: until 31 Dec 2025, a warning triangle is fine. From 1 Jan 2026, Spain replaces triangles with V16 connected roof beacons. If you’re planning 2026+ Iberian road trips, just buy a DGT-approved V16 and be done. (European Road Safety Charter)

One-bag solutions: European Driving Kits you can buy (UK sellers)

These bundles save time and usually include triangle, vest(s), beam deflectors, UK sticker, bulbs, first aid, etc. Always check the contents vs your route.

  • Halfords European Driving Kit (This is the one I bought!)— popular, well-specced bundle; check product page for current contents. Available in-store/online. (Halfords)

  • AA Euro Travel Kit (and “Plus”) — AA-branded kits sold by Halfords/Amazon; compact bag with the usual legal bits. (Halfords)

  • RAC Premium/Family European Driving Kit — includes beam deflectors; various sizes/vest counts. (RAC Shop)

  • Euro Car Parts – Sakura EU Travel Kit (7-pc) — triangle, first aid, magnetic UK plate, beam benders, hi-vis, breathalyser, bulb kit. (Euro Car Parts)

  • Snowchains.com Travel Kit Bundle — modular kits; add extra vests for more passengers. (Snowchains.com)

  • Amazon UK “European Driving Kit” picks — wide choice including AA/RAC bundles. (Check reviews and that it includes beam deflectors + UK sticker.) (Amazon UK)

Renting instead of bringing your own car? Avis has a clear France rules page and most big rental firms include the legal triangle/vest as standard. Always check before leaving the lot. (Avis)

Order/prepare checklist (5-minute pre-ferry sanity saver)

  1. Docs: Licence, insurance, V5C (or VE103 for lease/hire), and breakdown cover details. (GOV.UK)

  2. Buy a kit (or assemble from the list above).

  3. Headlights: Fit beam deflectors or enable “tourist mode.” (RAC)

  4. Stick on “UK”. Even with UK plates, you’ll still need the sticker in Spain/Cyprus/Malta. (GOV.UK)

  5. Crit’Air: If you might enter French LEZ cities, order from the official site only. (certificat-air.gouv.fr)

  6. Winter route? Check if you cross a Loi Montagne zone (chains or winter tyres). (Securité Routière)

  7. Disable camera alerts on sat-nav/apps in France. (TomTom Support)

Tiny country cheat-sheet (very short, very useful)

  • Germany — triangle, hi-vis vest (at least one), first-aid kit (DIN 13164) compulsory. (en.cebia.com)

  • Belgium — triangle + vest everywhere; fire extinguisher & first-aid kit compulsory for Belgian-registered cars (not for foreign cars, but handy to carry). (RAC)

  • Spain — triangle OK through 2025; V16 beacon required from 2026. UK sticker always required. (European Road Safety Charter)

  • Austria — triangle, vest, first-aid kit (DIN) expected; winter tyres in wintry conditions. (Pack the core kit above.) (en.cebia.com)

  • Switzerland — triangle compulsory; vest/first-aid recommended. (Carry them anyway.) (en.cebia.com)

A1–C2 French-learner mini-tips (for the car & the road)

  • A1–A2: Learn these: le gilet de sécurité, le triangle (de présignalisation), la vignette Crit’Air, les chaînes neige.

  • B1: Practice: “J’ai un pneu crevé.” (I’ve got a flat.) “Où puis-je acheter une vignette Crit’Air ?”

  • B2: Phone a garage: explain a headlight/tyre issue and ask if they sell kit Europe and can fit chaînes.

  • C1–C2: Skim the official Service-Public page and summarise the obligations to a friend (in French). It’s excellent prep. (Service-Public)

Your turn

What’s in your Europe kit? Any “wish-I’d-known” moments at the border or a lifesaver item you recommend? Drop a tip for the next driver below! 🚗💬

Location: England, UK

Comments

Post a Comment