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It's not just safe and sensible, in some European countries it’s the law to carry certain items when driving. To avoid the risk of receiving an on the spot fine when driving in popular European destinations, make sure you have all the compulsory or recommended equipment (detailed in the table below), many of which are already contained in the AA Emergency Breakdown and Touring Kit.


How to use this checklist
Choose a country on the left, then look across the row to see what equipment you need. Here's what the symbols mean:

  • Compulsory  Compulsory
  • Recommended by the AA or the respective country  Recommended by the AA or the respective country
  • Click to view tips and guidelines  Click to view tips and guidelines

 

Country GB Sticker
GB Sticker
Tips
Headlamp Beam Converters
Headlamp Beam Converters
Tips
Warning Triangle
Warning Triangle
High Visibility Jacket
High Visibility Jacket
First Aid Kit
First Aid Kit
Fire Extinguisher
Fire Extinguisher
On the spot fines issued
On the Spot Fines issued
Austria Tick Tick Tick Tips Tick Tips Tick   YES
Belgium Tick Tick Tick Tips Tick Tips Recommended Tips Recommended Tips YES
France Tick Tick Tick Tips Tick Tips     YES
Germany Tick Tick Recommended Tips   Recommended Tips   YES
Ireland Tick   Tick Tips       YES Tips
Italy Tick Tick Tick Tips Tick Tips     YES Tips
Netherlands Tick Tick Recommended Tips       YES
Portugal Tick Tick Recommended Tips Recommended Tips     YES
Switzerland Tick Tick Tick Tips       YES
Spain Tick Tick Tick Tips Tick Tips     YES

» Compulsory equipment tips and guidelines

All-in-one-kits

The AA has bundled the key essentials for driving abroad into handy all in-one-kits. The Emergency Breakdown and Touring Kit is our most comprehensive kit containing many of the breakdown essentials for driving in the UK and abroad.


Emergency Breakdown and Touring Kit now including"NF" Approved Breathalyser Twin Pack

Emergency Breakdown and Touring Kit now including"NF" Approved Breathalyser Twin Pack†

£44.99 (RRP £49.99) Includes "NF" approved breathalyser twin pack!

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From 1st July 2012 all vehicles travelling in France must carry a breathalyser "NF" (Norme Française) approved. The AA recommend that two are carried and this handy twin pack fulfils our recommendation. This product carries the “NF” French certification mark and is therefore designed to meet the obligation under French law that anyone driving in France carries a NF standard breathalyser from 1st July 2012. It is important that you read and comply with the manufacturer’s instructions. AA Media Limited and Associated Companies cannot accept liability for any losses suffered or caused by you or any third party arising from use or reliance on this product where such losses are not foreseeable at the time of your purchase and are not a direct result of a breach of a legal duty of care owed by us or a direct result of a breach by us of the terms and conditions of sale. Nothing set out above reduces your statutory rights regarding defective or mis-described goods or limits liability for death/personal injury caused by negligence.


Driving in France Kit including "NF" Approved Breathalyser Twin Pack

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Driving in France Kit including "NF" Approved Breathalyser Twin Pack†

£ 39.99 (RRP £49.99) Worth £71.89 (RRP) if purchased individually!

Will you be driving in France this summer? The AA's handy and comprehensive Driving in France Kit contains many of the essential driving requirements, including an "NF" approved breathalyser twin pack†, together with a handy French Phrasebook, Glovebox atlas and Travel Guide, all packaged in a convenient travel bag. This invaluable kit is specifically designed for the British motorist in France.

Contents include:

Car Essentials

Atlas and Guides

From 1st July 2012 all vehicles travelling in France must carry a breathalyser "NF" (Norme Française) approved.  The AA recommend that two are carried and this handy twin pack fulfils our recommendation. This product carries the “NF” French certification mark and is therefore designed to meet the obligation under French law that anyone driving in France carries a NF standard breathalyser from 1st July 2012. It is important that you read and comply with the manufacturer’s instructions. AA Media Limited and Associated Companies cannot accept liability for any losses suffered or caused by you or any third party arising from use or reliance on this product where such losses are not foreseeable at the time of your purchase and are not a direct result of a breach of a legal duty of care owed by us or a direct result of a breach by us of the terms and conditions of sale. Nothing set out above reduces your statutory rights regarding defective or mis-described goods or limits liability for death/personal injury caused by negligence.

Advice on Driving in France

Click here for further advice and information on what you will need to drive in Europe


European Travel Kit: European Driver's Handbook Edition

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European Travel Kit: European Driver's Handbook Edition

£29.99 (RRP £40.00)

  • Set of Beam Converters
  • Hazard Warning Triangle
  • Magnetic GB Plate (Height: 135mm, Width:180mm)
  • Reflective Emergency Jacket (Meets EN 471 Standard)
  • First Aid Kit
  • AA European Driver's Handbook
  • Universal Bulb Kit (compact). Contains All 3 halogens 1 X H1, 1 x H4 (472), H7 (499). Includes selection of bulbs and fuses.

This European Breakdown Kit is packaged in a sturdy canvas style storage bag with zip. The European Driver's Handbook is a must-have guide for anyone driving in Europe, with detailed motoring information for each European country and guidance on the different rules of the road in each country including road signs and legal requirements.

View our alternative European Travel Kit: Atlas Edition


» Click here to find out how to recycle your old electrical items

» Browse individual items in our Driving in Europe department

A The list above is not an exhaustive list of compulsory items. Compulsory or required items could vary or change and fines may be imposed for failure to carry compulsory items. Please do check the latest motoring laws in the countries you are visiting before you visit.

B The AA recommends that each vehicle carries at least two high visibility jackets in the passenger compartment. Requirements vary from country to country.


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