In a private car that is not serving as an escort vehicle, must an additional reflective vest be carried for each passenger?

No. No. The general equipment requirement in Annex XII of the General Vehicle Regulations includes one vest, rather than one per occupant. Carrying vests for everyone and wearing them when entering a hazardous area is recommended, without exposing anyone to danger to retrieve them. Distinguish this general requirement from specific duties for escort-vehicle drivers and auxiliary personnel.

A car uses a spare wheel as its provision for a puncture, with no alternative system. What must it carry to enable a wheel change?

carry the tools necessary for changing wheels. The tools needed to change the wheel, under Annex XII of the General Vehicle Regulations. The spare may be full-size or temporary; it need not be exclusively temporary or immune to punctures. Follow the manual and do not change it in a dangerous location: request assistance if you cannot do it safely. The obligation should not be applied indiscriminately to every vehicle type.

Which date is normally used to calculate the next periodic ITV inspection, and what exception applies when it is brought forward by up to 30 days?

The favourable-result date; if brought forward within those 30 days, the previous expiry date. The interval is added to the date of the favourable result. If obtained within the 30 calendar days preceding the previous inspection’s expiry, the interval is added to that expiry date under Article 6.5 of Royal Decree 920/2017. An unfavourable result is not equivalent to a favourable inspection.

What does this sign indicate?

The location of a vehicle roadworthiness testing station. S-102 indicates a vehicle roadworthiness testing station (ITV). It does not indicate a repair garage or a fuel station, which use different signs. Inspections check the technical requirements applying to the vehicle; this sign does not itself specify how often it must be inspected.

A non-historic N1 goods van is over ten years old from its first registration. What is its ordinary periodic roadworthiness-test frequency?

Half-yearly. Every six months. Article 6 of Royal Decree 920/2017 sets that frequency for N1 vehicles over ten years old. Category and use matter: not every van necessarily follows the N1 regime, and an ordinary M1 vehicle of that age has a different interval. Age is counted from the recorded first registration or entry into service.

Accessories, spare parts, tools and periodic inspections - B Licence

Step 1. The big picture

A green passenger car is secured on an orange recovery truck’s flatbed outside a vehicle inspection station, with an inspector in the bay and an empty road in the foreground. — Failed inspection with dangerous defects: vehicle recovery

In one sentence…

Road safety combines prevention, occupant protection and the correct reaction to an emergency. The theory exam usually mixes active safety, passive safety and the PAS response within the same question, so always study cause, consequence and safe conduct together.

What you'll cover

1.Active safety
2.Passive safety
3.Seatbelt and posture
4.Child restraint systems
5.The PAS response
6.Breakdown and immobilisation
7.Exam preparation

Step 2. The syllabus

2.1Active safety

Active safety helps to avoid the accident: brakes, steering, tyres, suspension, lighting and electronic aids all work before the impact.

These elements only work well if the driver maintains the vehicle and adapts their driving. A poor tyre or badly used light reduces your margin before danger strikes.
In the exam, a question may mention rain, a bend or braking to check whether you know active safety also depends on grip and anticipation.
Don't confuse electronic aids with permission to take risks. Their role is to support, not to compensate for inadequate speed or insufficient distance.

2.2Passive safety

Passive safety reduces injuries once the accident can no longer be avoided: seatbelt, headrest, airbags, the vehicle's structure and child restraint systems.

A badly adjusted headrest or a loose seatbelt can turn an apparently minor rear-end collision into a serious injury for any occupant.
The airbag does not replace the seatbelt. In questions about occupants, the correct answer usually requires both systems to work together.
Passive protection starts before you set off: seat, backrest, headrest, seatbelts and loose objects must all be under control so as not to increase harm.

2.3Seatbelt and posture

The seatbelt must be used whenever the vehicle is fitted with one, and it must be well adjusted, without slack or twists.

Correct posture lets you control the pedals, steering wheel, mirrors and controls without stretching. It also helps the seatbelt, headrest and airbag protect you as they should.
Don't fit clips, cushions or thick clothing that leave dangerous slack. In an impact, these details change how effective the system really is.
In tests, be wary of answers that accept wearing the seatbelt any old way for short trips, low speed or rear seats.

2.4Child restraint systems

Minors must travel in the child restraint system suited to their height, weight and type approval, following the seating positions and conditions set out in law.

The driver must make sure the system is installed and used correctly. It's not enough for the minor to be sitting in just any device.
The question may not ask for a figure: it may ask for the principle. A minor travels protected when the system matches their characteristics and is fitted correctly.
If in doubt between comfort and safety, choose safety. The rule aims to reduce injuries even if the trip is short or the minor complains.

2.5The PAS response

The safe sequence follows the PAS principle: protect the area, alert the emergency services and assist without worsening injuries or creating another danger.

Protecting means preventing further collisions before helping. Park safely, make yourself visible and assess the traffic so you don't become another victim.
Alerting requires clearly conveying where you are and what has happened. Don't improvise rescue manoeuvres that could worsen injuries unless they are essential.
Assisting doesn't always mean moving the injured person. In the exam, the cautious answer is usually to stay with them, avoid additional risks and wait for qualified help when appropriate.

2.6Breakdown and immobilisation

Since 1 January 2026, the connected V16 light is the official reference for pre-signalling an immobilised vehicle for those vehicles required to carry the device.

Before helping, avoid becoming a new victim: park safely, use visibility items and don't step onto the carriageway without controlling the risk.
In a breakdown, the priority is not to get the vehicle moving quickly again, but to reduce your own exposure and that of other road users.
Questions often pit haste against safety. Always choose the orderly response: protect first, alert next, and only assist if you don't worsen the danger.

2.7Exam preparation

Classify each element as active or passive and say what risk it reduces. This method stops you learning lists without understanding why they appear together in a question.

Practise cases: rear-end collision, rollover, rain, a night-time breakdown and a child occupant. In each one, decide which system prevents and which protects.
The B theory test is 30 questions with a maximum of 3 errors in 30 minutes. It pays to master these topics because they tend to appear with very everyday scenarios.
When an answer plays down a measure because the trip is short, it's usually suspect. Road safety applies whenever you're driving.

Step 3. Key points

If you only have a minute before the exam, revise this.

1.Tell active and passive safety apart with real examples.
2.Adjust the seat, seatbelt and headrest before setting off.
3.Use the seatbelt, airbag and child restraint systems correctly.
4.Apply PAS without putting yourself in danger or worsening injuries.
5.Know the official reference for the connected V16 light in 2026.
6.Link basic maintenance to the effectiveness of brakes, lights and tyres.
7.Be wary of answers that justify skipping measures on short trips.

Step 4. Exam traps

Mistakes the DGT uses again and again on this topic.

Thinking that wearing the seatbelt any old way is enough.
Confusing an active safety element with a passive one.
Getting out of the vehicle without assessing the road's risk during a breakdown or accident.
Believing the airbag replaces the seatbelt.
Moving an injured person unnecessarily and without assessing whether you might worsen their injuries.
Forgetting that the connected V16 is the official reference from 1 January 2026.

Step 5. Quick check

Four real exam questions on what you have just read.

Question 1/4

For a vehicle without a registered long-term lessee, who bears responsibility for its documentation and periodic inspections?

Practise more accessories, spare parts, tools and periodic inspections questions

Step 6. Frequently asked questions about accessories, spare parts, tools and periodic inspections

In a private car that is not serving as an escort vehicle, must an additional reflective vest be carried for each passenger?: No. No. The general equipment requirement in Annex XII of the General Vehicle Regulations includes one vest, rather than one per occupant. Carrying vests for everyone and wearing them when entering a hazardous area is recommended, without exposing anyone to danger to retrieve them. Distinguish this general requirement from specific duties for escort-vehicle drivers and auxiliary personnel.See full question
A car uses a spare wheel as its provision for a puncture, with no alternative system. What must it carry to enable a wheel change?: carry the tools necessary for changing wheels. The tools needed to change the wheel, under Annex XII of the General Vehicle Regulations. The spare may be full-size or temporary; it need not be exclusively temporary or immune to punctures. Follow the manual and do not change it in a dangerous location: request assistance if you cannot do it safely. The obligation should not be applied indiscriminately to every vehicle type.See full question
Which date is normally used to calculate the next periodic ITV inspection, and what exception applies when it is brought forward by up to 30 days?: The favourable-result date; if brought forward within those 30 days, the previous expiry date. The interval is added to the date of the favourable result. If obtained within the 30 calendar days preceding the previous inspection’s expiry, the interval is added to that expiry date under Article 6.5 of Royal Decree 920/2017. An unfavourable result is not equivalent to a favourable inspection.See full question
What does this sign indicate?: The location of a vehicle roadworthiness testing station. S-102 indicates a vehicle roadworthiness testing station (ITV). It does not indicate a repair garage or a fuel station, which use different signs. Inspections check the technical requirements applying to the vehicle; this sign does not itself specify how often it must be inspected.See full question
A non-historic N1 goods van is over ten years old from its first registration. What is its ordinary periodic roadworthiness-test frequency?: Half-yearly. Every six months. Article 6 of Royal Decree 920/2017 sets that frequency for N1 vehicles over ten years old. Category and use matter: not every van necessarily follows the N1 regime, and an ordinary M1 vehicle of that age has a different interval. Age is counted from the recorded first registration or entry into service.See full question

See all accessories, spare parts, tools and periodic inspections questions

Accessories, spare parts, tools and periodic inspections