First Aid Kit and Essential Information for Truck Drivers – What You Need to Know!

Do you remember when, in April 2012, a fake news story triggered the “first aid kit panic”? Well, there’s no reason to panic this year either, but as any decent truck driver knows, it’s better to be safe than sorry. That’s why today we’ve gathered the most important information about first aid kits, so that the tens-of-thousands-forint on-the-spot fine — fake news or not — remains something you only read about here.

First aid kit reloaded

Whether you’re just getting to know the perks of a truck driving job, or you’re already so seasoned that others only dare to overtake you quietly at night so you can sleep undisturbed, a first aid kit is an essential part of your truck. However, there’s no need to pay attention to fake news. If you don’t recall one of the most well-known stories: 8 years ago, for months everyone was talking about increased police checks of first aid kits.

According to the rumor, drivers without a proper or existing kit could be fined 30,000–50,000 forints on the spot. As a result, supplies disappeared from store shelves as quickly as long-life milk before a public holiday.

So what does a standard first aid kit contain?

The contents of first aid kits haven’t changed since 2019. Let’s get straight to the point and see what the 6/1990. (IV. 12.) KöHÉM regulation (which defines the technical conditions for putting road vehicles into service and keeping them in operation) requires a standard kit to include.

The first paragraph of the section “Operational technical conditions for first aid equipment” states:

(1) Vehicles must carry first aid equipment kept ready for use, with the following contents:

• b) for passenger cars, trucks, motorcycles with sidecars, agricultural tractors and slow-moving vehicles, as well as buses operating exclusively on scheduled local routes:
• ba) sterile quick bandage (10 cm x 5 m): 4 pcs
• bb) sterile quick bandage (5 cm x 5 m): 2 pcs
• bc) sterile gauze pads (6 x 6 cm/100 pcs): 2 packs
• bd) individually wrapped cut gauze bandage (10 x 5 m): 4 pcs
• be) sterile gauze sheet (50 cm x 80 cm): 3 pcs
• bf) hand cleaning/disinfectant wipes: 4 pcs
• bg) disposable gloves: 1 pair
• bh) triangular bandage: 2 pcs
• bi) safety pins (40 mm): 4 pcs
• bk) adhesive tape (1.25 cm x 5 m): 1 roll
• bl) scissors (stainless steel, 110–150 mm): 1 pc
• bm) wound disinfectant solution containing povidone-iodine (30 ml): 1 pc
• bn) cuttable adhesive bandage (6 x 10 cm): 2 pcs
• bo) hygienic face mask (for resuscitation): 1 pc
• bp) surgical face mask with elastic: 1 pc
• bq) first aid instructions with illustrations: 1 pc
• br) contents list: 1 pc

According to the regulation, for buses not exclusively operating on scheduled routes, as well as other vehicles carrying 10 or more people, and for fire engines, the quantities listed in point b) must be multiplied by four. Also, if your purchased kit does not include the povidone-iodine disinfectant mentioned in point bm), don’t panic — it can be replaced with 6 ampoules of 1 ml iodine pads.

Is a first aid kit bought abroad acceptable?

Here’s some good news: if you bought your kit in another country, you don’t have to throw it away. Section 106 (2) of the KöHÉM regulation allows the use of equipment from the European Economic Area (meeting DIN standards) as follows:

“(2) The first aid equipment specified in paragraph (1) — within its expiry period — may be replaced by first aid equipment approved by a member state of the European Economic Area for the given vehicle category, provided it includes instructions in Hungarian or pictorial first aid guidance.”

This provision was added during the 2010 amendment of the regulation, as previous requirements lagged behind European standards in several respects. Additionally, the legal status of equipment from EU countries had not been clearly regulated before.

What about expiry dates?

After reading the rules above, you might rightly ask: how long is a sterile dressing valid? Do you even need to pay attention to this?

Well, you’d probably be upset in a restaurant if the waiter served you expired mushroom stew saying “it’s still fine!” First aid kit contents are no different — they have expiry dates, after which they can no longer be used properly. Sterile dressings remain sterile for 5 years. Disinfectant solution can be used for 3 years from the manufacturing date. Non-sterile items do not have expiry dates. Other components can be used until the date specified by the manufacturer.

And if you’re wondering where to store your kit, here’s another good piece of news: the regulation covers that too. The first aid kit must be kept in dust- and water-resistant packaging, in a place easily accessible to the driver.

A, B or C?

You’ve surely seen A, B or C type first aid kits. But what’s the difference? Which one do you need?

Type A kits are required for motorcycles without sidecars and motorized tricycles. Type B kits are for passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, trucks, lorries, motorcycles with sidecars, agricultural tractors, and slow vehicles. They are also required for buses and trolleybuses operating on scheduled local routes. Type C kits are mandatory for vehicles carrying 10 or more people, as well as for vehicles transporting hazardous materials and fire engines — regardless of passenger capacity.

Never hit the road without a first aid kit!

A first aid kit — just like snow chains in winter — is an essential part of your truck. By having a kit that complies with the regulations discussed above, you not only avoid potential fines but could even save lives — maybe even your own.

If you want to be sure you meet legal requirements, and value both good pricing and quality, it’s worth getting your first aid kit from an online store that has stood for safety and reliability for over 30 years. Once you’re all set, there’s only one thing left to say: we wish you a safe journey!