After twenty years on international runs from Istanbul to Lisbon, I have thrown out a lot of gear that seemed useful in the shop. What follows is what actually stays in the cab — organised by category, not by brand. Use it as a working checklist before your next international departure.
Legally Required Items: Do Not Leave the Yard Without These
Laws differ by country. Some items are required everywhere in Europe. Others are required only in certain countries. Getting stopped without them means fines, and fines on international runs can be serious — typically ranging from €50 to several hundred euros depending on the country and the item missing.
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Warning triangles | One is standard in most countries. Spain, Turkey and several Eastern European countries require two. Carry two — it costs nothing extra and covers you everywhere. |
| Hi-vis vest | Must be inside the cab, reachable from the seat. Not in a locker behind the bunk. France and Spain are strict about this. |
| First aid kit | Contents are regulated differently by country. Check the Austrian and German standards — they are among the most detailed. Replace expired items every year. |
| Fire extinguisher | Required in most countries for trucks and coaches. Check the minimum rating required — some countries specify dry powder, others accept CO2. |
| Spare bulbs | Required in France, Spain and several others. Carry a full set. LED units in modern trucks complicate this — some countries still require the kit even if the truck has LEDs. |
| Breathalyser | France technically requires one per driver, though enforcement has been inconsistent. Carry one anyway. Single-use units are cheap and take up no space. |
| Snow chains | Required when signs indicate in Austria, Switzerland, France (mountain passes) and others. In season, no chains means you stop at the foot of the pass. More on this in the seasonal section below. |
Work Items: What You Need to Do the Job Properly
These are the tools that relate directly to the load and the vehicle. Not glamorous. Absolutely necessary.
Gloves
Carry two pairs. One heavy pair for load work — snow chains gloves are ideal because they protect your hands from sharp links and frozen metal. One lighter pair for general use. Wet, cold hands on a chain or a ratchet strap are how injuries happen at 02:00 in a service area off the A1.
Load Securing
Your straps, ratchets and edge protectors should be checked before every load. Carry at least two spare ratchet straps beyond what the load requires. Edge protectors get lost and damaged — keep a supply. A strap that fails at the German border costs you far more than the strap itself.
Torch
A good head torch leaves both hands free. Useful for pre-trip checks in the dark, finding a problem under the trailer, or reading CMR numbers in a dim warehouse. Keep a spare set of batteries in the same bag.
Basic Tools
You are not a mobile workshop. But a small set — adjustable wrench, screwdrivers, pliers, zip ties, duct tape, spare fuses — solves a surprising number of small problems that would otherwise mean a call to breakdown. Add a tyre pressure gauge. Check your tyres every morning. A slow puncture found in Nuremberg is manageable. One found on the Brenner at night is not.
Wheel Chocks
Required by some operators and loading sites. Useful everywhere. If you are on a slope and your handbrake fails, chocks are not optional. Keep them accessible, not buried under the bunk.
Cab and Comfort: Living in the Truck Without Destroying Yourself
Long international runs mean days or weeks in the cab. The right setup makes the difference between arriving functional and arriving worn out.
Power and Charging
A 12V or 24V USB charging hub is essential for phones, tablets and GPS units. Know your truck's voltage — most European trucks run 24V. Many cheap 12V accessories fail on a 24V system or need an adapter. A power inverter lets you run 230V devices from the battery, but use it carefully. Running a laptop or a small kettle with the engine off drains the battery faster than most drivers expect. If you use an inverter regularly, consider a secondary leisure battery — many drivers fit one. Do not run high-draw devices overnight without the engine running unless you have confirmed battery capacity.
Laundry
On a two-week run, laundry is a real problem. A small dry bag with a sealed lid and some detergent lets you hand-wash basics at a truck stop with a shower. Some drivers use a portable travel washing bag — a sealed bag you fill with water and detergent and shake. It works for underwear and socks. For anything heavier, most large truck stops in Germany, the Netherlands and France have laundry machines. Know where they are on your regular corridors.
Water Canister
A five-litre canister costs almost nothing and means you always have water for drinking, washing and topping up the screen wash. Fill it when you can. Do not rely on every truck stop having a working tap in the driver area.
Documents and Admin: The Folder System That Actually Works
Lost paperwork at a border crossing or a police check is avoidable. Use a simple folder system with labelled sections.
- CMR and delivery documents: Current load at the front. Previous loads behind it, in order. Never throw away a CMR until you are back at base and it is confirmed received.
- Permits: ECMT permits, bilateral permits, oversized load permits if applicable. Know which permit applies in which country. Carry the originals.
- Toll receipts: Some operators require these for reimbursement. Keep them in a dated envelope or photograph them immediately — thermal paper fades fast.
- Fuel cards and instructions: Keep a note of the PIN separately from the card. Know which networks your card covers in each country.
- Driver documents: Licence, CPC card, passport or ID, tachograph card. Check expiry dates before every international trip.
When you are planning an overnight stop and need to confirm parking availability ahead of time, checking a parking app like BusTruckPark before you leave your last waypoint lets you book a space rather than circling a full service area at midnight.
Security: Practical, Not Paranoid
Cab Door Locks
Additional security locks on cab doors are a worthwhile investment on runs through higher-risk corridors. This is not a comment on any country — it is a comment on the reality of parking in isolated spots with a high-value load. Talk to drivers who run your specific routes.
Valuables Discipline
Do not leave a laptop, phone or wallet visible in the cab when you leave it. This is basic but it is ignored constantly. A small lockable box bolted under the bunk costs very little and removes the temptation entirely.
Dashcam: Important Legal Note
A dashcam is useful evidence after an incident. But legality varies significantly across Europe. Germany permits dashcam footage in principle but has strict rules about continuous recording and data storage — legal advice has shifted over the years, so check current guidance. Austria is among the most restrictive countries in Europe for dashcam use, with privacy law making continuous recording of public roads legally problematic. Before you drive into a new country, know the rules. What is fine in Poland may create a problem in Austria.
Seasonal Swap List
Winter Additions
- Snow chains — correct size for your drive axle tyres, tested before the season starts
- Heavy gloves (chain-rated)
- Ice scraper and de-icer spray
- Extra warm layers stored accessibly, not in a sealed bag
- Jump leads or a battery booster pack
- Extra washer fluid — concentrated, rated to at least -20°C
Summer Swaps
- Sunshade for the windscreen — reduces cab temperature significantly when parked
- Extra water supply — heat increases your daily water need
- Insect screen for the roof hatch if you sleep with it open
- Check coolant level and condition before summer runs in southern Europe
FAQ
Is a fire extinguisher legally required in all European countries for trucks?
Most European countries require one for commercial vehicles, but the required type and size vary. Check the specific requirements for every country on your route before departure. Your operator's compliance team should have this information current.
Do I really need snow chains if my truck has good winter tyres?
Yes, in many cases. When road signs or local regulations require chains, winter tyres alone are not sufficient to comply. In Switzerland and Austria especially, chain requirements on mountain passes are enforced and the fines for non-compliance are significant. Carry chains from October through April on Alpine routes.
What is the simplest document folder system for a busy international driver?
A rigid A4 folder with tabbed dividers works well. Label sections: Current Load, Permits, Receipts, Driver Documents. Review it every time you cross a border. Replace completed CMRs with new ones at the front. Keep it on the passenger seat, not in a locker.
Is a dashcam worth having given the legal complications?
For most drivers on most routes, yes — but understand the rules before you cross into Austria or other restrictive jurisdictions. Some drivers use a cam that records only on impact rather than continuously, which reduces privacy concerns. Check current national laws or ask your operator's legal contact before fitting one.
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