Car winter kit: what to carry and what to do if you get stuck

Should you go at all?

Rule 228 of the Highway Code says that in icy or snowy weather you should not drive unless your journey is essential. If it is, allow extra time, tell someone your route and when you expect to arrive, and check the weather and traffic first. The Met Office issues weather warnings; for roads, use National Highways (England), Traffic Scotland or Traffic Wales.

The kit in the boot

The Highway Code (rule 228) lists what to carry in winter:

Item	Why it helps
Ice scraper and de-icer	You must be able to see out of every window before you drive.
Torch	For checking the car and being seen in the dark. Keep spare batteries.
Warm clothing and boots	A stopped car gets cold quickly. Boots matter if you have to walk.
First aid kit	For minor injuries while you wait for help.
Jump leads	Batteries struggle in the cold.
A shovel	To clear snow from around the wheels and the exhaust.
A warm drink and emergency food	A flask and snacks make a long wait easier.

Be Ready also suggests an in-car phone charger, blankets and high-visibility clothing. The AA suggests sunglasses, because low winter sun on snow can be dazzling.

Before you set off

Clear all snow and ice. Rule 229 says you must be able to see out of every window, your lights must be clean and your number plates readable. Clear the roof too, so snow does not fall into the path of others.
Check your tyres. The legal minimum tread for cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread, all the way round (Highway Code Annex 6). Check pressures as well.
Fuel or charge. Keep the tank well filled, or an electric car well charged, in case of delays.
Phone charged, and breakdown cover details to hand.

Driving on ice and snow

The Highway Code says stopping distances can be ten times greater than on dry roads, so leave a much bigger gap. Drive slowly, in as high a gear as possible, and accelerate, steer and brake gently (rule 231).

If you get stuck in snow

This advice comes from Ceredigion County Council and similar council guidance:

Stay with the car unless there are buildings close by where you can get help. A car is shelter and is easier for rescuers to spot.
Keep warm. Run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes every hour.
Keep the exhaust clear of snow, and open a window slightly while the engine runs.
Make yourself visible: hazard lights on, and tie something brightly coloured to the car if you can.
Call for help and tell them where you are.

Carbon monoxide

A blocked exhaust can let carbon monoxide build up inside the car. You cannot see or smell it. If anyone gets a headache, feels dizzy, sick or drowsy, turn off the engine, get fresh air, and call 999 if they seem unwell. Never run the engine inside a garage.

If you break down on a motorway

National Highways’ advice is go left, get safe, get help:

Go left. Get to an emergency area, a lay-by, the hard shoulder or off at the next junction if you can. Turn on your hazard lights.
Get safe. If it is safe to do so, get out on the side away from traffic and wait behind the safety barrier. Do not go back to your vehicle. Do not put a warning triangle on the carriageway.
If you cannot get out safely, or you are stopped in a live lane, stay in the vehicle with your seatbelt on and hazard lights on, and call 999 straight away. Ask for the police.
Get help. Call your breakdown provider. In an emergency area, use the emergency phone. On England’s motorways and major A roads you can also call National Highways on 0300 123 5000.

Electric cars

The AA advises keeping an electric car well charged before a winter journey, in case of delays, and planning where you will charge. The same rules about clearing windows, tyres and the kit in the boot apply.

Quick reference

Emergency, or stopped in a live lane: 999
National Highways (England): 0300 123 5000
Minimum tread depth (cars): 1.6 mm
Run engine when stuck: ~10 min per hour

Highway Code rules are summarised from GOV.UK, Crown copyright, under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Kit for this guide

The Highway Code kit list, plus two items from Be Ready. Every item is research-based; we have not tested products and list no brands or prices.

Ice scraper and de-icer Research-based
Torch with spare batteries Research-based
Warm clothing, boots and a blanket Research-based
First aid kit Research-based
Jump leads Research-based
Shovel Research-based
Warm drink in a flask and emergency food Research-based
In-car phone charger Research-based
High-visibility clothing Research-based

No products, brands or prices yet, and no affiliate links. What “Research-based” and “Tested by us” mean.

Official sources we used

The Highway Code: driving in adverse weather conditions (rules 226 to 237) (GOV.UK)
The Highway Code: Annex 6, vehicle maintenance, safety and security (GOV.UK)
Breakdowns (National Highways)
Snow and ice (Ceredigion County Council)
Cold weather and driving (Met Office)
How to drive in snow (The AA)
Traffic Scotland (Transport Scotland)
Traffic Wales (Welsh Government)
Be ready for emergencies (Be Ready, UK Government)

We link to official pages so you can check the latest advice yourself. If something here differs from what an official source says now, follow the official source. Where we quote or adapt official text, it contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.