Winter Car Kit UK: Emergency Checklist
The GOV.UK winter car kit list: torch, charger, warm clothes, blankets, hi-vis, jump leads, food, drink, snow shovel and first aid kit.
If you get stuck in snow or break down on a cold night, help can take hours to arrive. GOV.UK recommends keeping a winter car kit in your boot so you can stay warm, safe and in contact while you wait.
Based on official GOV.UK Be Ready guidance.
The GOV.UK winter car kit
- A torch.
- An in-car phone charger.
- Warm clothes.
- Blankets.
- High-visibility clothing.
- Jump leads.
- Food and drink.
- A snow shovel.
- A first aid kit.
Useful extras
- An ice scraper and de-icer. The Highway Code says you must be able to see clearly out of every window before you drive.
- A portable jump starter, which works without a second car.
- Hand warmers and a foil blanket for each passenger.
- A warning triangle and a tow rope.
- Spare screenwash rated for low temperatures.
Before you set off in bad weather
- Check the Met Office forecast and any warnings.
- Keep at least a quarter of a tank of fuel, or a good charge in an electric car.
- Tell someone your route and when you expect to arrive.
- If you get stuck, stay with your car unless it’s unsafe, keep the exhaust clear of snow and run the engine only in short bursts.
Frequently asked questions
What should be in a winter car kit UK?
GOV.UK lists a torch, in-car charger, warm clothes, blankets, high-visibility clothing, jump leads, food and drink, a snow shovel and a first aid kit.
What emergency supplies should I keep in my car?
All year round: a first aid kit, hi-vis vest, torch, phone charger, water and a blanket. In winter add a snow shovel, ice scraper, de-icer, warm clothes and food.
Is it a legal requirement to clear snow from my car?
The Highway Code says you must be able to see out of every glass panel, and lights and number plates must be clean, so clear the whole windscreen and windows before driving.
If anyone is in immediate danger, call 999.