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• The AA Emergency Breakdown and Touring Kit

Compulsory equipment tips and guidelines

• 1 GB Stickers are compulsory within the EU unless your UK registration plates display the GB Euro-symbol (Europlates), a legal option since 21 March 2001. The Europlate must comply with the new British Standard (BS AU 145d). The Europlate is only legally recognised in the EU; it is still a requirement to display a GB sticker when travelling outside the EU.
• 2 Not required for two-wheeled vehicles.
• 3 Although not compulsory for visiting motorists to carry a warning triangle, its use is compulsory in an accident or breakdown situation.
• 4

  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 fine if only one is available. In Switzerland the warning triangle must be kept within easy reach (i.e not in boot).

• 5 The use of hazard warning lights or a warning triangle is compulsory in an accident/breakdown situation. However, a warning triangle should always be carried as hazard-warning lights have no effect at bends or rises in the road, or may become damaged or inoperative.
• 6

  Wearing, compulsory if driver and/or passenger(s) exits vehicle immobilised on carriageway, inItaly at night or in poor visibility, in Spain on all motorways and busy roads. In Portugal, the actual law applies to residents; however, regardless of the regulations local officials may impose on-the-spot fine. In Belgium the wearing of the reflective jacket only applies to the driver, it must be worn should you be stranded on a Belgian motorway or on a major road or should you stop at a place where parking is not allowed. In Austria and France the wearing of the reflective jacket applies only to the drivers. When travelling in Spain the high visibility jackets need to be carried within the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

   

  New regulation – motorcycles – effective from 1^st January 2013

   

  All drivers and passengers of a motorcycle over 125cc or a motor tricycle over 15 KW/h must wear reflective clothing when riding their vehicles. In the event of an emergency stop, the reflective clothing still needs to be worn.

   

  The ‘reflective clothing’ must have a minimum reflective surface of 150 sq. cm (approx 23 sq. in.) in total either in one piece or in several pieces, and must be worn in the upper part of the body (between the neck and the waist). A fine will be imposed for non compliance.

   

• 7 Compulsory for vehicles with an unladen weight exceeding 1524kgs.
• 8

  Italy: Police will collect a quarter of the maximum fine amount from drivers of foreign registered vehicles.

  Portugal:

  Some traffic police carry ATMs

• 9 Must be kept within easy reach i.e. not in the boot.
• 10

  The legal requirement is to ‘not dazzle oncoming drivers’ rather than specifically to adjust/convert the headlamp beam pattern. Without adjustment the dipped beam will dazzle oncoming drivers and this could result in a fine. Headlamp beam converter kits are widely available but may not be suitable for all types of headlights. The AA shop sell beam converters suitable for all vehicles and individual fitting diagrams are included for the latest ‘clear glass’, ‘projector and xenon’ headlamps inside the packaging. In some countries it is compulsory to use dipped headlights at all times when driving during the day. Note: 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. On some cars it is inadvisable or impossible for anyone other than a qualified technician to change a headlamp bulb unit e.g. high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps and carrying spares is not an option. However, it is recommended that spare bulbs are carried for any lights that may be easily and/or safely replaced by the owner/driver.

• 11 Police are not authorised to actually collect fines, they will issue a notice which must be paid within 21 days.
• 12 Recommended as their carriage is compulsory for vehicles registered in that country.
• 13

  Must be carried within the passenger compartment of the vehichle.

All-in-one packs

Get everything you need, together with our European Driver's Handbook and a Universal bulb kit, in the AA Euro Travel Kit. For a more comprehensive pack, choose our Emergency Breakdown and Touring Kit.

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