Drivin' in Czechia
All you need to drive smart in the Czech Republic
Mandatory car equipment is not only important when preparing for a driving school exam or during a preventive police roadside inspection – in some cases, it can be genuinely useful and help you out of trouble while traveling around the Czech Republic. Do you know what items are required in your car’s mandatory equipment in the Czech Republic in year 2025? Read on to find out what you’re legally required to keep in your vehicle – and what you can safely leave in the garage.
Three mandatory items
These days, mandatory equipment is no longer the boogeyman it once was. Since 2018, the list has been much simpler than in the past. According to the current regulation on the technical eligibility of vehicles and the conditions for their operation on public roads (No. 341/2014 Coll.), the mandatory car kit in 2025 includes only three items:
- a reflective vest
- a warning triangle
- a first aid kit
The change in the regulation reflects the technical development of modern cars – light bulbs have been removed from the list of required items. With xenon lamps, LED modules, and laser headlights becoming standard, the requirement no longer made sense. A driver simply wouldn’t be able to replace such a modern headlight on their own while on the road.
For most vehicles, there’s also an obligation to carry a spare tire or at least a tire repair kit. In addition to the spare wheel, drivers must also have a wheel nut wrench (or bolt wrench) and a jack suitable for the car’s weight. Vehicles equipped with so-called run-flat tires, which allow for deflation warning and emergency driving, are exempt from this rule. The same applies to drivers whose roadside assistance includes 24/7 tire repair and replacement coverage throughout the Czech Republic.
Required contents of a first aid kit
The first aid kit for cars in th Czech Republic must contain the following seven items:
- a bandage with one dressing pad
- a bandage with two dressing pads
- adhesive tape on a spool
- a rubber tourniquet
- latex gloves
- scissors
- a thermal blanket (minimum size 200 x 140 cm)
Since 2018, a triangular scarf, adhesive bandage with pad, or plastic breathing mask are no longer mandatory, as required by the earlier regulation. Also, replacing the first aid kit after its expiration date is no longer required. However, if you use any item from the kit, it must be replaced with a new one.
Do I need a mandatory equipment as a foreignor?
It’s important to consider mandatory equipment requirements when traveling abroad. While the Vienna Convention of 1968 stipulates that vehicles should comply with the laws of their country of registration, in practice this is not always honored. Local police may ignore the convention and instead follow domestic laws. For example, the requirement to wear a reflective vest when exiting a vehicle on the motorway is based on local law, not the Vienna Convention. For this reason, it is advisable to equip your car with the appropriate compulsory equipment even if you are just passing through the Czech Republic or going on holiday.
Therefore, it’s a good idea to carry the following items as well, especially when driving around the Europe:
- tow rope
- European Accident Statement (recommended to keep in your car even in the Czech Republic)
- one reflective vest for each passenger
- a fire extinguisher (mandatory in countries like Bulgaria and Poland)
- a breathalyzer (required in France)
It’s also recommended to keep these items within easy reach – in the cabin rather than buried in the trunk. During the winter, remember to check local laws about winter tires. An ice scraper may also come in handy. In the summer, make sure to carry enough drinking water. And remember – radar detectors are completely banned in some countries.
FAQs: Mandatory car equipment in the Czech Republic
Three items: a reflective vest, a warning triangle, and a first aid kit.
For a passenger car, the reflective vest should be fluorescent yellow or orange-red, with retroreflective stripes.
Only one reflective vest is required – for the driver. However, for safety reasons, it is recommended to carry as many vests as there are occupants, so everyone can wear one in case of an emergency stop or accident.
Ideally under the front passenger seat – within easy reach and safely secured. Avoid keeping it in the trunk, as this could delay access during an emergency.
Yes, it is advisable to equip your car with the appropriate mandatory equipment even if you are just passing through the Czech Republic or going on holiday.
