Mandatory car equipment in Lithuania: extinguisher, first-aid kit, triangle, vest
In short: a car in Lithuania must carry a fire extinguisher (min. 1 kg, 2 kg recommended), a first-aid kit of the updated composition (from 2023-07-01), a warning triangle and a reflective vest. Missing equipment draws a fine under the Administrative Offences Code (from €10) and a defect note at the technical inspection. An expired extinguisher legally equals having none.
The mandatory equipment list
| Item | Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fire extinguisher | Min. 1 kg (2 kg recommended), certified, in date | Valid ~5 years from manufacture or service; expired = none |
| First-aid kit | Updated composition (from 2023-07-01) | Kits bought after 2019 — add 2 tourniquets; older kits must be replaced entirely |
| Warning triangle | Certified, reflective | Placed ~15 m behind the car in town, ~25 m outside built-up areas |
| Reflective vest | High-visibility with reflective strips | Keep it in the cabin, not the boot — put it on before getting out |
The requirement applies to motor vehicles except motorcycles without a sidecar. Missing or unfit equipment draws a fine (for the first-aid kit — €10–12 under Article 417(7)), and the technical inspection records a defect: a minor defect does not fail the inspection but must be fixed.
The first-aid kit: what changed
From 1 July 2023 a new mandatory composition applies, the key addition being two tourniquets (for stopping massive bleeding) and updated dressing requirements. Practical rule: a kit bought after 2019-01-01 only needs two tourniquets added; older kits must be replaced with a new compliant one. A non-compliant kit is marked as a minor defect at inspection. Review the kit annually — dressings and plasters have expiry dates.
Where to keep it and how to use it
- Extinguisher — in the boot in a solid (ideally metal) bracket or under a seat; a loose extinguisher becomes a projectile in a crash. Check the gauge and expiry once a year.
- First-aid kit — in the cabin or glovebox, reachable in seconds.
- Triangle — placed so others have time to react: ~15 m behind the car in town, ~25 m outside, and on a motorway considerably further (up to 100 m). Switch the hazard lights on as well.
- Vest — put it on before stepping onto the road, especially after dark or on a motorway. Worth having one per passenger.
Driving abroad: what to add
The Lithuanian set (extinguisher + kit + triangle + vest) covers nearly every EU country's requirements — in most of them the extinguisher is not even mandatory, so the Lithuanian standard puts you above the bar. Nuances: Germany and Austria require a first-aid kit to their own standard (the German DIN 13164 — our updated composition practically matches it), Italy requires wearing the vest when exiting outside built-up areas, and some countries have extra items on the list. Check the specific country before a longer trip.
Interesting facts about car equipment 🎯
- Lithuania records around 800–900 vehicle fires a year — most start in the engine bay, where 1 kg of agent lasts only seconds of spraying. Hence the 2 kg recommendation.
- The tourniquet entered the kit for a reason — stopping massive bleeding within the first minutes is the single biggest survival factor in severe crashes.
- Extinguisher type matters: powder is universal and cheap but coats the cabin; CO₂ is clean but heavier and can freeze your hands.
- The triangle's shape and reflectivity are standardised so it is recognisable in headlights from hundreds of metres, before the car itself appears from behind a bend.
- KET exam equipment questions usually test triangle distances and breakdown procedure rather than the list itself — drill the situational questions.
Frequently asked questions
What must a car carry in Lithuania?
Four items: a fire extinguisher (min. 1 kg, in date), a first-aid kit of the updated composition, a warning triangle and a reflective vest. The requirement covers motor vehicles except motorcycles without a sidecar.
What is the fine for a missing extinguisher or first-aid kit?
A fine under the Administrative Offences Code (for the kit — €10–12 under Article 417(7)), plus a defect note at the technical inspection. An expired extinguisher legally equals having none.
What must the first-aid kit contain in 2026?
The composition updated on 2023-07-01, whose key addition is two tourniquets. A kit bought after 2019 only needs the tourniquets added; older kits must be replaced entirely.
How far behind the car is the warning triangle placed?
About 15 m in built-up areas, about 25 m outside them, and on motorways considerably further (up to 100 m) because of the speeds. Hazard lights go on as well.
Does a fire extinguisher expire?
Yes — most car extinguishers are valid about 5 years from manufacture or the last service. An expired, unsealed or damaged extinguisher counts as unfit, i.e. the same as having none.