Winter car emergency kit: the checklist for your boot

Car Tips/Hacks11/13/2026
Winter car emergency kit checklist (UK) | Rooster

Most winter journeys go fine. But if you break down on a cold evening or get stuck behind a closed road in snow, a few basic items in the boot can turn a miserable wait into a manageable one, and in rare cases keep you safe.

Here is a practical checklist of what to keep in your car from November to March, split into what everyone should carry and the extras worth adding if you drive in rural areas or bad weather.

Last updated 9 November 2026.

Key takeaways

  • A winter kit is not a legal requirement in the UK, but it is strongly recommended.
  • The essentials are a charged phone and power bank, a torch, an ice scraper, de-icer, warm clothing, a blanket, water and snacks.
  • Add a shovel, something for grip under the wheels, a hi-vis vest and jump leads if you drive in rural or hilly areas.
  • Keep at least a quarter of a tank of fuel, or a good charge, in winter.
  • If you are stranded, it is usually safer to stay with your car.

In this guide

The essential winter kit

These are worth keeping in every car through the winter:

  • Ice scraper and de-icer. For clearing every window before you set off, not just a hole in the windscreen.
  • Phone charger and power bank. A dead phone is the biggest problem if you break down.
  • Torch with spare batteries, or a wind-up torch. Useful for checking under the bonnet or signalling for help.
  • Warm clothes and a blanket. A coat, hat, gloves and a spare jumper. A foil emergency blanket takes almost no space.
  • Sturdy boots. Driving shoes are useless if you have to walk in snow.
  • Water and snacks. Bottled water and non-perishable snacks such as cereal bars.
  • Screenwash rated for low temperatures, and a spare bottle.
  • First aid kit.
  • Breakdown cover details and your insurance policy number, saved in your phone and written down.

Extras for rural roads and bad weather

If you live somewhere snow is likely, drive on untreated roads, or travel long distances in winter, add:

  • A small shovel for clearing snow from around the wheels.
  • Something for grip: a bag of grit, sand or cat litter, or a pair of traction mats.
  • Snow socks for getting moving in snow.
  • Jump leads or a portable jump starter. Batteries fail more often in the cold.
  • Hi-vis vest and a warning triangle. Only use the triangle where it is safe; never on a motorway.
  • Tow rope.
  • A flask with a hot drink if you are setting off on a long journey in bad weather.
  • Sunglasses for low winter sun and glare off snow.

Before every winter journey

  • Check the forecast and traffic news.
  • Check your fuel or charge. Aim for at least a quarter of a tank.
  • Make sure your lights work and are clean.
  • Check your tyres for tread and pressure.
  • Top up screenwash.
  • Tell someone your route and when you expect to arrive if conditions are bad.

Our winter car prep checklist covers the car checks in more detail.

What to do if you get stranded

  1. Stay with your car unless help is visible and very close. A car is easier for rescuers to find than a person walking.
  2. Call for help. Use your breakdown provider, or 999 if you are in danger.
  3. Keep warm. Put on extra layers and use your blanket.
  4. Run the engine sparingly for heat, for about ten minutes in every hour, and only if the exhaust pipe is completely clear of snow. A blocked exhaust can fill the car with carbon monoxide.
  5. Open a window slightly when the engine is running.
  6. Make yourself visible. Use hazard lights for short periods to save the battery, and tie something bright to the aerial or door.
  7. Save your phone battery by turning down the brightness and closing apps.

For general advice on breakdowns, read what to do when your car breaks down.

Frequently asked questions

Is a winter emergency kit a legal requirement?

Not in the UK. Some European countries require items such as a warning triangle, hi-vis vests or snow chains, so check the rules if you are driving abroad.

Where should I keep my winter kit?

A small box or bag in the boot is ideal. Keep a scraper and torch in the door pocket or glovebox so you can reach them easily.

Do I need breakdown cover in winter?

It is not compulsory, but breakdowns are more common in cold weather, especially battery problems. See is breakdown cover worth it?

Sources and further reading