Everyone probably knows that you must carry safety vests in your vehicle. However, not everyone knows how many safety vests you need to have in your car.
High visibility vests in the car – how many must be in the vehicle
The requirement to wear high-visibility vests was introduced in Germany on July 1, 2014. This means that cars must have high-visibility vests as soon as they are in public spaces. The relevant paragraph states a lot of things, but interestingly it does not say how many high-visibility vests must be in the vehicle.
- According to Section 53a of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO), every driver is required to carry a warning triangle, warning light, hazard warning lights and a safety vest in their vehicle. There are also exact specifications as to what the safety vests should look like.
- Paragraph 53a, Section 1 of the StVZO stipulates that the warning vests “comply with the standard DIN EN 471:2003+A1:2007, edition March 2008 or the standard EN ISO 20471:2013.” In addition, all warning devices must be in “operational condition.”
- In plain language, this means that the Safety vests red, yellow or orange They may not be as stylish, but they are clearly visible even in poor visibility conditions. Since no other number is specified, you must only a safety vest in the car carry with you.
High visibility vests: A law with some oddities
It does not seem very well thought out that only one safety vest has to be in the vehicle. After all, it may be necessary for all passengers to leave the vehicle. Therefore, it is It makes sense to have at least four safety vests in the carEspecially since the safety vests hardly cost anything and last forever.
- But the relevant law contains even more exciting details: You must carry a safety vest in your car, but you do not have to wear the vest, it is only recommended.
- In short: If you are not able to produce a safety vest during a check, you will be fined 15 euros. However, there is no legal obligation to wear safety vests in Germany in the event of an emergency; it is sufficient if you can produce the vest if necessary.
- But there are even more oddities in the legal requirements. In Germany, the requirement to wear a high-visibility vest applies to all cars, trucks, tractors, semi-trailers and buses. What is interesting in this context, however, is who the requirement to wear a high-visibility vest does not apply to: namely, motorcycles and mobile homes. What the legislator actually had in mind or did not have in mind will probably remain one of its secrets.
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