The year 2025 brings further changes to the regulations on mandatory car equipment. The introduction of new regulations is the result of the efforts of the European Union and Member States - including Poland - to increase road safety and reduce the number of accidents. In this article, we explain what is mandatory passenger car equipment, what elements should be included in every vehicle, what is changing in 2025 and what we can expect during a road check and at a vehicle inspection station.

What does mandatory car equipment include?

Mandatory car equipment is a set of elements that - according to Polish regulations - every vehicle must have in order to be able to drive on public roads. This applies not only mandatory car equipment new, but also cars already in use. According to by the regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure, mandatory vehicle equipment is crucial for your own safety and protection other road users.

The most important ones mandatory elements of passenger car equipment in Poland include:

• Warning triangle – used in the event of a vehicle breakdown or accident to warn other drivers of the presence of a disabled vehicle.
• Fire extinguisher – intended for extinguishing operating fluids, stored in an easily accessible place and with a current inspection.
• License plates – compliant with regulations, secured in the appropriate place.
• Vehicle odometer – enabling control of vehicle operation.
• Seat belts – mandatory for all passengers, including each outer front seat.

Car equipment that is not mandatory

Polish regulations do not require, for example, reflective vest, first aid kits or spare wheel, but in many situations they can be extremely useful. For safety and comfort, it is also recommended to equip the vehicle with:

• functional spare wheel or repair kit,
• reflective vest – especially if we travel at night or outside built-up areas,
• protective gloves – helpful, for example, when changing a wheel,
• first aid kit – especially when driving in rural areas or travelling abroad.

New mandatory car equipment in 2025

The year 2025 brings a number of changes resulting from European homologation regulations aimed at increased security and adapting cars to new technologies. New mandatory car equipment applies mainly to newly manufactured cars after 6 July 2024, but some requirements will also cover vehicles registered for the first time after import.

To the new one mandatory passenger car equipment in 2025 they belong among others.:

• Speed Assist (ISA) – a system informing the driver about applicable speed limits and any exceeding of them.
• Emergency Braking System (AEB) – automatic activation of the brakes in the event of a collision hazard.
• Lane keeping system - warns the driver and may intervene steering system in case of unintentional change driving track.
• Driver Fatigue Detection System – monitors your driving style and informs you when a break is needed.
• Road Sign Recognition System – identifies limitations and warnings based on the image from windshield.
• Reversing cameras and parking sensors – supporting safe maneuvers.
• Blind spot sensors - warning of presence other road users in invisible zones.

It all has a common goal – reducing the risk of accidents and improvement sufficient driver's field of vision, which is in line with the EU strategy Vision Zero, aiming to completely eliminate road traffic fatalities.

Roadside inspections and vehicle inspection stations – what do they pay attention to?

Road checks and periodic technical inspections on vehicle inspection stations they take into account both mandatory car equipment, as well as its general technical condition. Missing a required element – e.g. fire extinguisher or warning triangle – may result in a fine, and in the case of more serious infringements, also in the seizure of the registration certificate.

No mandatory car equipment may also be an obstacle to obtaining a positive review result. The following are particularly important:

• exhaust muffler – must be functional and tight,
• seat belt anchor points – they cannot be damaged,
• automatic windshield wipers – they must function properly,
• sufficient driver's field of vision – no objects can limit it.

Company vehicles and cars from abroad – different requirements?

In case of company cars and vehicles registered abroad may apply different requirements, however, every vehicle driving on Polish roads must meet national regulations regarding mandatory car equipmentThis means that it is necessary to adapt to the rules in force in country of registration of the vehicle, but also taking into account local regulations, e.g. regarding possession Third Party Liability Insurance, registration certificate, Whether confirmation of policy validity.

It is also worth remembering that road control police can be carried out at any time, and lack of car equipment may result not only in a fine but also in problems with border insurance or civil liability in the event of road accident.

Safety First – Systems That Save Lives

Although for many drivers obligation to have additional systems may seem burdensome, it is worth looking at them as an investment in your own safety. Statistics show that advanced security systems can significantly reduce the number of road accidents. The most common of these are:

• lane assistant - prevents unintentional leaving the lane,
• lane change assistant - supports with changing lanes, analyzing the road situation,
• blind spot monitoring - protects against collision with another vehicle in the invisible zone,
• automatic emergency braking – reacts faster than humans in emergency situations,
• adaptive cruise control - That is active cruise control, which adjusts the speed to the surroundings.

These are solutions that, although sometimes expensive, bring real benefits in terms of improving safety and driving comfort.

ZENBOX PRO – intelligent vehicle safety management

In the era of advanced technology, many drivers are looking for a way to better adapt the operation of electronic systems to their needs. The answer to these expectations is ZENBOX PRO – an innovative device that allows the driver to make conscious and individual decisions function management safety in the car.

ZENBOX PRO this:

• the ability to temporarily or permanently disable selected functions, such as fatigue detection system, lane assistant, automatic emergency braking,
• better adjustment of the operation of systems to driving style user,
• seamless integration with vehicle electronics without losing warranty,
• quick activation and deactivation of functions depending on conditions – e.g. unfavorable weather conditions,
• a solution for people who value control and at the same time care about a number of safety standards.

ZENBOX PRO is not just technology – it is a way to consciously and comfortably use modern solutions, while maintaining full control over what happens to our vehicle. In 2025, when the requirements for car equipment in Poland become more and more complex, this tool can prove to be an invaluable support for every driver.

See also:

• Active vs. Passive Safety – What You Need to Know
• Start stop system - operation
• Character recognition system – how does it work?
• ISA System - How the Intelligent Speed Assistant Works
• ADAS system – what is it and how does it work
• Lane Assistant – How It Works
• Driver Fatigue Detection System – Does It Really Work?
• The most important safety systems in cars