Mandate for deficiency of a fire extinguisher in the car

Many drivers in Poland wonder what the consequences of their absence fire extinguishers in the car. Is it truly possible to lose driving licenceIs it just a ticket? In 2024, the provisions on mandatory equipment of the vehicle are inactive clear, but it is worth knowing details to avoid unpleasant consequences during the roadside inspection.

Is the fire extinguisher in the car mandatory?

According to the regulations Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure on method conditions of vehicles, any passenger car travelling on Polish roads must be equipped with fire extinguisher and informing triangle.

The fire extinguisher must meet certain conditions:

• should be easily accessible (e.g. placed under the passenger seat or in the trunk in a peculiar holder),
• should have valid approval – be fit and ready to use,
• Minimum fire extinguisher capacity for passenger cars is 1 kg extinguishing agentusually ABC powder.

Failure to comply with these rules may consequence in a mandate, but this does not automatically mean stopping a driving licence.

Mandate for deficiency of a fire extinguisher – how much will you pay?

In 2024 penalty for deficiency of a fire extinguisher is PLN 50But it's not the only consequence. If the fire extinguisher is found to be inoperable (e.g. expired), a police officer may besides impose a mandate.

In addition, if the driver does not have both fire extinguishers and informing trianglesThe punishment may be higher. It is so worth making certain that the equipment of the car meets the applicable standards.

Can the police halt their driver's licence for deficiency of a fire extinguisher?

Nope. The deficiency of a fire extinguisher in the car is not the basis for stopping the driving licence. However, a police officer may decide to detain registrationif it considers that the absence of a fire extinguisher constitutes a serious safety risk.

The retention of registration may happen in situations where:

• the vehicle does not meet the method requirements,
• the absence of a fire extinguisher is 1 of respective safety-related deficiencies (e.g. broken brakes, damaged lighting),
• the driver has no another mandatory equipment specified as the informing triangle.

In that case, the owner of the car must complete the deficiencies and go to Re-technical reviewto get the registration.

What about another mandatory equipment?

In Poland, mandatory car equipment includes only fire extinguisher and informing triangle. Unlike another European Union countries, in Poland there is no work to have a first aid kit, a retro-reflector vest or spare bulbs.

However, First aid kit and retro-reflector are recommendedBecause they can save lives in an accident. Furthermore, in the case of travel abroad, for example to Germany, the Czech Republic or Austria, any of these elements are required and for deficiency of them a mandate is threatened.

How to avoid problems during traffic control?

In order not to exposure yourself to a mandate or to hold registration, it is worth checking regularly:

• whether the fire extinguisher is functional and has an crucial shelf life,
• is the informing triangle in place?,
• whether another items of equipment (e.g. first aid kit, vest) are in the car, although not mandatory.

The deficiency of a fire extinguisher in the car may consequence in with a mandate of PLN 50but is not the basis for stopping a driving licence. The police can halt registration, if it finds another method deficiencies of the vehicle. Therefore, it is worth having an efficient and easy accessible fire extinguisher to avoid problems during the roadside inspection.