Drivers warned they must carry 5 items in their car or face up to £18k in fines

With autumn settling in and the colder months approaching, drivers have been urged to prepare for the new weather conditions. Brits can be caught out if they don't have five items in their car, leading to a possible fine of up to £18,500.

UK law requires certain weather-related items to be available in your vehicle during particular conditions, and failing to comply can result in fines, penalty points and other legal consequences. It's vital for drivers not to get caught out because these requirements aren't widely publicised, leaving them facing penalties they never saw coming.

Car expert Kazimieras Urbonas, supplier excellence manager at online car part marketplace Ovoko, has revealed the five weather essentials that drivers should keep in their cars to comply with UK law. Urbonas said "the most fundamental legal requirement" during winter weather is having the means to clear your windscreen and windows properly (e.g., using an ice scraper or de-icer).

Under the Highway Code, driving with snow or ice obstructing your view is illegal and can result in a £60 fixed fine and three penalty points. Driving with only a small section of your windscreen cleared carries fines up to £2,500 and potential disqualification. Another must-have is working windscreen wipers and washer fluid in adverse weather conditions.

Using wipers with worn blades, which can lead to more reckless driving, can result in a fine of up to £100 and three penalty points, or up to £5,000 if taken to court. Driving with an empty washer bottle can result in a £30 fine.

During winter months, ensure your washer fluid contains antifreeze to prevent freezing in the system. Standard water will freeze and potentially damage your washer pump.

Urbonas also urged drivers to ensure they have functioning lights. Driving with defective lights during poor visibility can result in a £60 to £100 on-the-spot fine per faulty bulb, with three penalty points. The fine can go up to £1000 if taken to court.

Additionally, if you break down in poor weather conditions, you're legally required to make your vehicle visible to other drivers. A reflective warning triangle becomes a legal necessity if you need to stop during adverse conditions. To comply with regulations, place it 45 metres behind your vehicle on the same side of the road. Failure to properly warn other drivers of your broken-down vehicle can result in fines and potential charges if an accident occurs.

Another important thing to carry is a spare tyre. Driving on tyres below 3mm during winter weather (1.6mm is the legal minimum) significantly increases stopping distances and can be considered dangerous driving.

Fines for inadequate tyres start at £100 and three penalty points per tyre, potentially reaching £400 and 12 points if all four tyres are defective. If a tyre is deemed illegal, fines can reach £2,500 per tyre.

The final things recommended to keep in your car are an emergency phone and high-visibility clothing, which, while not required by law, become a practical legal necessity during emergencies.

If you break down during winter weather, you must be able to call for help and remain visible to other road users. If you can't call for help or make yourself visible during a winter breakdown, you could face charges related to endangering other road users.

The maximum fine for not having these items and breaking the law is £18,500 - £2,500 for uncleared windscreens, £5,000 for faulty windscreen wipers, £1,000 for defective lights, and £10,000 for tyres without enough tread.

The five items drivers should keep in their car, and the fines they can help you avoid

Ice-scraper or de-icer - £60 to £2,500

Windscreen wipers and fluid - £30 to £5,000

Working bulbs and a reflective warning triangle - £60 to £1,000

Replacement tyres - £100 to £10,000

Emergency phone and high-visibility clothing - no fine