Car first-aid kits in Poland: a taxi driver’s checklist
Before starting work, open your first-aid kit: check its contents, the dates on the packaging and where you keep it. Polish taxis must carry one, and drivers should also know how to find the supplies quickly.
Start by checking the car
When collecting a car for work, locate the first-aid kit and take it out yourself. If you have to unload the boot to reach it, choose a more accessible place. Show the other driver where it is if you share the car.
- Find the kit and make sure it is secured and accessible.
- Compare the contents with the enclosed inventory and check the packaging for damage.
- Read the expiry dates on individual supplies, rather than only the date on the pouch.
- Report missing or damaged items to the car’s owner and replenish the kit before starting work.
Taxi requirements and news about private cars
Polish taxis must carry a first-aid kit. Section 24(1)(6) of the vehicle technical requirements provides for this equipment. The requirement applies to taxis, including those taking bookings through Uber, Bolt or FREENOW.
The Ministry of Infrastructure denied reports that first-aid kits would become compulsory in all passenger cars from 1 June 2026. That announcement does not remove the existing taxi requirement. Distinguish proposed changes from rules already in force; check current requirements before travelling in a private car.
What to include in a car first-aid kit
Choose a kit with a clear inventory and instructions in a language you understand. The table lists the main equipment groups, rather than the complete quantities required by any particular standard.
| Group | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Hand protection | Disposable medical gloves in a suitable size |
| Dressings | Sterile compresses and ready-made dressing packs in intact packaging |
| Securing dressings | Bandages, medical adhesive tape and adhesive plasters |
| Additional supplies | A triangular bandage, emergency thermal blanket and dressing scissors |
| Guidance | A short first-aid guide and an inventory |
You can add a rescue-breathing mask or face shield separately. An ordinary medical face mask serves a different purpose and does not replace a rescue-breathing barrier.
DIN 13164: a reference when buying
DIN 13164:2022-02 is a German standard for vehicle first-aid kits. It helps you compare their contents. The Polish provision requiring a kit in a taxi does not itself mandate compliance specifically with DIN 13164.
Ask the seller which edition the kit follows and compare the enclosed inventory. The 2022 edition includes two medical face masks. A promotional label on the packaging is no substitute for checking the contents and expiry dates.
Where to keep the kit and when to replenish it
Secure the kit in a dry place where you can reach it without searching under passengers’ suitcases. Follow the storage conditions on the packaging and keep it out of direct sunlight. Tell other users of the car if you move it.
Set a reminder to check it every six months. This is a convenient routine for the driver, rather than a legally prescribed interval. Replenish supplies straight after use; replace damp or expired materials and items with damaged packaging.
A car first-aid kit is unsuitable for permanently storing medicines. Cabin temperatures change, while medicines need particular storage conditions. Carry your own prescribed medicines separately according to the manufacturer’s instructions; do not turn the first-aid kit into a supply of tablets for passengers.
When someone needs help on the road
Assess whether the scene is safe first. For a life-threatening emergency or serious injury, call 112: give the location, explain what happened and say how many people need help. Follow the dispatcher’s instructions. Do not delay the call while looking for your kit.
Take a practical first-aid course and read the kit’s instructions in advance. The supplies help you prepare for an incident; practical skills help you use them.
Quick answers for drivers
Do I need to replace the whole kit after use? Check it and replace used or damaged items. You can keep the pouch if it remains in good condition.
What should I do when collecting a rental car? Include the kit in your handover checklist. Establish who replenishes supplies and record any missing or damaged items.
Is this kit sufficient for travelling abroad? Check the rules of each country on your route before departure, taking account of the car’s registration and use. A DIN label alone does not confirm compliance with every local requirement.
