Germany: first aid kits in vehicles will have to include face masks

The requirement will come into effect from February 1, 2023.

The Federal Association of Medical Technology has announced an update of the rules regarding mandatory equipment to be included in first aid kits carried in vehicles, which has to comply with the DIN 13164:2022 standard, introduced in 2022. The requirement will be enforced starting from February next year.

In addition tot he equipment required so far, a first-aid kit will have to include two face masks, at least of type I - i.e. standard surgical masks.

Foreigner drivers should remember that in Germany a first aid kit is a mandatory element of equipment of motor vehicles with a maximum speed exceeding 6 km/h, with the exception of wheelchairs, motorcycles, tractors or machines used in agriculture or forestry and other tractors or working machines if they are single-axle. A fine for non-compliance is 5 euros.