Equipment you must carry, including the V16 beacon

Key rules

• Warning triangles: Triangles no longer count as your warning device, so a car with only triangles is not properly equipped.
• Approved beacon: Only a V16 model on the DGT approved list is safe to rely on.
• Vest: Keep the vest within reach of the driver, not in the boot.
• Not required: Spare bulbs, a first-aid kit and a fire extinguisher are not compulsory in private cars.

What you must carry

Since 1 January 2026 you must carry a connected V16 beacon, and warning triangles can no longer be used. Besides the beacon, a private car needs:

• A reflective vest.
• A spare wheel, or a repair kit with a compressor, depending on how the car was approved.
• A jack and wheel wrench if the car carries a spare wheel.
• Glasses, if your driving licence says you need them.

Spare bulbs are not required by law. A first-aid kit and a fire extinguisher are not compulsory in private cars either. Some equipment depends on what the car was supplied with, so look at what yours came with.

The V16 beacon

The beacon goes on the roof of your car when you are stopped on the road. To count, it must be an approved model. Check it against the DGT list of approved models before you buy.

An approved beacon has:

• A flashing light visible from 1 km.
• A magnetic base.
• Automatic location sending to the DGT's traffic platform, with a connection service that needs no SIM card from you and runs for at least 12 years.
• A battery that lasts at least 18 months in storage and gives at least 30 minutes of use.

Approved units cost about 20 to 50 euros. Cheaper units may not be approved, so do not buy on price alone.

The reflective vest

Keep the vest inside the passenger compartment, within reach of the driver, not in the boot. Put it on before you get out of the car on a road outside built-up areas after a breakdown or stop.

Spare wheel or repair kit

Your car must be able to carry on after a puncture. Many new cars come with a repair kit or a temporary spare instead of a full spare wheel, and that is accepted. Carry whichever your car was approved with.

Penalties

Missing or non-compliant equipment is a traffic offence and is punished with a fine. Not wearing the vest when you leave the car on the road is usually treated as a minor offence. Equipment problems can also make the car fail the ITV, the roadworthiness inspection. A reduced payment is available if you pay promptly after you are notified. Check the exact current amount with the DGT.

The checklist, warnings and questions below cover the practical details.

Checklist

• Check that the V16 beacon model is on the DGT list of approved models before you buy it.

• Buy an approved connected V16 beacon, which costs about 20 to 50 euros, and avoid cheaper units that may not be approved.

• Check that the beacon has a magnetic base and a flashing light visible from 1 km.

• Check that the beacon sends its location automatically and that its connection service runs at least 12 years without a SIM card fee.

• Check that the car has a spare wheel or a repair kit with a compressor, plus the jack and wheel wrench if you carry a spare wheel.

Prices vary by shop and the approved list changes, so check the model on the DGT list before you buy.

What to watch out for

• Missing equipment is a fine: Missing or non-compliant equipment, such as the vest, a warning device or a spare wheel or repair kit, is a traffic offence and gets a fixed fine. Not wearing the vest when you leave the car on the road is usually a minor offence. Check the vest, beacon and spare wheel or repair kit before you drive. If you get a fine, paying promptly after notification gives a reduced amount.

• Equipment problems can fail the ITV: Not meeting the vehicle conditions can also make the car fail its ITV, the roadworthiness inspection. Fix any missing equipment before your inspection appointment.

• An unapproved V16 beacon may not count: A cheap beacon that is not approved may not meet the legal requirement, and triangles can no longer replace it. Buy only a model that appears on the DGT list of approved models.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to carry a first-aid kit or a fire extinguisher in my car?

No, a private car does not need a first-aid kit or a fire extinguisher by law. Spare bulbs are not required either. Glasses are the exception: you must carry them if your licence says you need them.

Can I carry a repair kit instead of a spare wheel?

Yes, a tyre repair kit with a compressor is accepted if that is what your car was supplied with.

How much does an approved V16 beacon cost?

An approved V16 beacon costs about 20 to 50 euros. Much cheaper units may not be approved, so check the exact model against the DGT list of approved models, the traffic authority's list, before you pay.