Are there special requirements for safety vests in motorhomes?
As a rule, the same regulations for safety vests apply to motorhomes as to cars in the individual countries, especially if they weigh less than 3.5 tonnes. For larger motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes, special rules may apply, similar to those for lorries. The high-visibility waistcoats must usually be red, yellow or orange and comply with ‘DIN EN 471:2003+A1:2007’ or the European standard ‘EN ISO 20 471:2013’.
Safety vests requirements for motorhomes in Great Britain
In the Highway Code, the Department for Transport merely recommends to have high-visibility-clothing for emergency use. There are no specific regulations for motorhomes.
Mandatory high-visibility vests for motorhomes abroad
The safety vest requirement distinguishes between the obligation to carry and the obligation to wear. The obligation to carry means the driver must have a safety vest in the car. The obligation to wear states that in the event of an accident or breakdown, the driver and passengers must wear a safety vest when outside the vehicle. This obligation to wear applies in most European countries, but surprisingly, it is not always linked to the obligation to carry. Therefore, it's best to always have a vest ready for all passengers.
| Country | Details | Obligation to Carry | Obligation to Wear | Fine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | Drivers of cars and motorhomes must carry a safety vest and put it on before leaving the vehicle in the event of an accident or breakdown on the motorway or country road. | yes | yes | from 14 € |
| Belgium | Drivers of a motor vehicle (including motorhome drivers) must wear a safety vest when leaving the vehicle after an accident or breakdown on the motorway or on a dual carriageway. Failure to wear the safety vest will result in a fine. Simply not wearing a high-visibility waistcoat is not penalised. | no | yes | from 50 € |
| Bulgaria | Drivers of a motor vehicle who leave the vehicle outside built-up areas in the event of a breakdown or accident must wear a safety vest. | no | yes | from 25 € |
| Croatia | All occupants of a motor vehicle must carry a safety vest and wear it if they are on the carriageway after an accident. This regulation applies both in urban and rural areas. | yes | yes | - |
| Cyprus | Drivers must carry and wear a safety vest when leaving their vehicle outside built-up areas in the event of a breakdown or accident. | no | yes | - |
| Czech Republic | Drivers must carry a high-visibility waistcoat and wear it when they leave the vehicle outside built-up areas and on motorways in the event of an accident or breakdown and stay on the carriageway or hard shoulder. | yes | yes | up to 100 € |
| Denmark | No specific regulations. | |||
| Estonia | When leaving the vehicle after a breakdown out of town at night, high-visibility waistcoats must be worn. However, there is no general obligation to wear them. | no | yes | - |
| Finland | Drivers who leave the vehicle in the event of a breakdown or damage must wear a high-visibility waistcoat. Pedestrians must also wear reflective strips at night. | no | yes | no fine |
| France | Drivers of a motor vehicle who leave their vehicle outside built-up areas in the event of a breakdown or accident must wear a safety vest and put it on before leaving the vehicle. | yes | yes | from 90 € |
| Germany | In Germany, it is mandatory to carry reflective high-visibility waistcoats in motor vehicles. There must be one safety vest per vehicle for the driver. The driver should wear it when leaving the vehicle on public roads, for example after a breakdown or an accident. Motor caravans in Germany are currently exempt from this requirement; they are not explicitly mentioned in the regulations. | yes | no | |
| Great Britain | It is only recommended that you wear a high-visibility waistcoat | no | no | |
| Greece | Obligation to carry applies to all occupants | yes | no | |
| Hungary | All road users (especially cyclists and pedestrians) who are on the road outside built-up areas at night or in poor visibility must wear a high-visibility waistcoat. Cars and motorcyclists are also obliged to wear a high-visibility vest if they leave their vehicle outside built-up areas and on motorways in the event of an accident or breakdown and remain on the carriageway or hard shoulder. | no | yes | up to 135 € |
| Iceland | Safety vests are only compulsory for the driver | yes | yes | |
| Republic of Ireland | No specific regulations | |||
| Italy | Drivers of motor vehicles outside built-up areas must wear a safety vest if they leave their vehicle and remain on the carriageway in order to secure the accident site with a warning triangle. This obligation also applies to any other person who sets up the warning triangle. | yes | yes | from 42 € |
| Latvia | Motorists and cyclists must wear a safety vest if they are on the road at night or during the day when visibility is poor. | yes | yes | |
| Lithuania | Carrying is compulsory for all occupants of a motor vehicle and for cyclists, even during the day | no | yes | |
| Luxembourg | Drivers of motor vehicles must wear a safety vest when leaving the vehicle on motorways and dual carriageways. | no | yes | from 74 € |
| Montenegro | Mandatory for drivers. The safety vest must hang visibly over the backrest. | yes | no | |
| Netherlands | No specific regulations | |||
| Norway | Drivers of motor vehicles registered in Norway must wear a high-visibility waistcoat when leaving their vehicle outside built-up areas or on motorways. Foreign drivers are only affected if they drive a vehicle registered in Norway (e.g. hire cars). | yes | yes | - |
| Poland | Wearing a safety vest is compulsory for drivers and all passengers. Pedestrians and cyclists must also wear a high-visibility waistcoat when it is dark outside built-up areas. | yes | yes | |
| Portugal | Drivers of vehicles registered in Portugal must carry a high-visibility waistcoat and wear it when leaving the vehicle outside built-up areas or on motorways. Foreign drivers are only affected if they drive a vehicle registered in Portugal (e.g. rented motorhome). | yes | yes | from 60 € |
| Romania | Drivers of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of over 3.5 tonnes must carry a safety vest and wear it when leaving the vehicle in the event of a breakdown or accident. | yes | yes | from 120 € |
| Serbia | Drivers must carry a safety vest and wear it when leaving the vehicle on the open road. | yes | yes | from 25 € |
| Slovakia | Drivers must carry a high-visibility waistcoat and wear it when leaving the vehicle outside built-up areas or on motorways. | yes | yes | |
| Slowenia | All occupants must carry and wear a safety vest when leaving their vehicle on motorways or dual carriageways. | yes | yes | from 100 € |
| Spain | Drivers must wear a safety vest if they leave their vehicle on motorways or country roads in the event of a breakdown or accident. | no | yes | up to 200 € |
| Sweden | No specific regulations | |||
| Switzerland | No specific regulations |
Sources: ACE, ADAC, own research
All information without guarantee.
