The year 2025 brings further changes to the regulations regarding mandatory vehicle equipment. The introduction of these new regulations is a result of the efforts of the European Union and its member states – including Poland – to improve road safety and reduce the number of accidents. In this article, we explain what mandatory passenger car equipment is, what components every vehicle should include, what changes in 2025, and what to expect during roadside inspections and at vehicle inspection stations.

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. In accordance with regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure, mandatory vehicle equipment items are crucial for your own safety and protection other road users.

The most important ones mandatory 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, mounted in the appropriate place.
• Vehicle odometer – enabling control of the operation of the car.
• Seat belts – mandatory for all passengers, including each outer front seat.

Car equipment that is not mandatory

Polish regulations do not require possession of e.g. reflective vest, first aid kits or spare wheel, but in many situations they can prove extremely useful. For safety and convenience, 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 e.g. when changing a wheel,
• first aid kit – especially when driving in rural areas or traveling abroad.

New mandatory car equipment in 2025

The year 2025 brings a number of changes resulting from European homologation regulations, the aim of which is increased security and adapting cars to new technologies. New mandatory car equipment It mainly applies to cars newly manufactured after 6 July 2024, but some requirements will also apply to vehicles undergoing first registration after import.

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

• Speed Assist (ISA) – a system informing the driver about applicable speed limits and possible exceeding 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 interfere with steering system in case of unintentional change driving track.
• Driver Fatigue Detection System – monitors driving style and informs when a break is necessary.
• 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 the presence other road users in invisible zones.

It all has a common goal – reducing the risk of accidents and improvement sufficient field of view for the driver, 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 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 violations, 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 field of view for the driver – no objects can limit it.

Company vehicles and cars from abroad – different requirements?

In the 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 the validity of the policy.

It is also worth remembering that police road check 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 include:

• 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 this age of advanced technology, many drivers are looking for ways to better tailor 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 feature management security 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 voiding the 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 Assist – How it works
• Driver Fatigue Detection System – Does it Really Work?
• The most important safety systems in cars