List: What you must carry in your car in France in 2025
French law stipulates equipment and vehicle standards that drivers must abide by year-round
A yellow fluorescent vest with a CE marking is one of the required items you must carry
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Drivers in France must carry some essential equipment in their vehicle for safety reasons, on pain of sanctions if police discover they do not have them.
In 2025, the rules have become even stricter, and are outlined by article R416-19 of the Code de la Route (road laws).
Safety equipment
The two main pieces of equipment needed are:
A warning triangle. This must be placed on the road 30 metres behind your vehicle in the event that it is stationary due to a breakdown, accident, or any other issue. This is mandatory, unless placing it in the road would put you at greater risk.
A yellow fluorescent vest with a CE marking. This must be worn whenever you are not in your vehicle, to ensure your visibility at all times. This must be within reach in the car, not kept in the boot.
Drivers found to be driving without these items in their vehicle risk a €135 fine.
Read more: Five things they do not tell you about driving in France
Read also: Drivers will need new equipment soon to visit Spain from France
Vehicle standards
Drivers must also ensure that their vehicle is in good working order before they take to the road.
For example, article R313-33 states:
All lights (high beam, dipped beam, etc.) must be working
The horn must be working, and must be audible at a distance of at least 50 metres
Issues with these risk landing the driver a fine of €68, rising to €180 if not paid on time.
Read also: Police warn drivers of car headlights rules in France
It comes after police in Corsica warned drivers of the dangers of driving with only one working headlamp in December 2024.
Further rules on headlamps in France are detailed in the articles R313-2 and R313-3 of the Code de la route, including the stipulation of the correct colour of the lights and their required strength.
To summarise, headlamps must have two main beam lights (that can project 100 metres in clear weather at night), and two dipped-beam lights (that project 30 metres in clear weather at night without dazzling other drivers). The lamps must be yellow or white.
If one of the bulbs stops working “you must replace it immediately”, states the Sécurité Routière website, meaning it is a good idea to keep replacement bulbs in your car so that you can replace a bulb if it breaks en route.
You must fix this to avoid driving with only one working headlamp.
Drivers who are stopped for the offence (a non-working headlight) have seven days to fix it and avoid a ‘third category’ fine of €68, which can rise to as much as €450 if unpaid or if a repeat offence.
If both lights are found to be faulty, drivers are liable to a ‘fourth category’ fine of €135 (which can rise to €750). Police can even confiscate a vehicle if they discover a serious offence (such as the absence of all lights at night).
Drivers do not have to carry a spare tyre by law but it is highly recommended to do so to enable easier repair at the side of the road if you develop an issue.
Read more: Prefect calls headlight flashing a security risk: when is it legal (and when not) in France?
Weather rules
In some departments, mainly those that receive considerable snowfall in the colder months, drivers must also carry equipment designed for winter conditions, from November 1 until March 31. The dates and exact rules can vary by department.
However, in general:
