Q: Why are there red triangles in the boot and the yellow jackets in the glove compartments in cars that you hire in Tenerife?

Ken Wood 

A: Hi Ken, thanks for your question. There are a number of things that should always be either carried by yourself or in your Tenerife hire car when you are out and about driving around Tenerife.

When you pick up you car at the airport in Tenerife or at your local car rental office you should be presented with a set of documents that include your insurance details and details of the ownership of the vehicle and the car. 

These documents should always be carried with you when you are in the car along with either your passport or NIE papers (if you have one) and your Driving Licence (Copies are not allowed). If you are unlucky and get stopped by the police then you will be required to present these papers to the officer there and then, failure to do so will almost certainly incur you a €60 fixed fine as unike the UK, Tenerife does not allow you to present your documents to a Police station at a later date.

Along with ALL the documents you are legally required to carry when you are driving in Tenerife there are certain objects that must always be carried in the car as well.

Every car (not just a hire car) must carry:

2 Red warning triangles.
At least 1 Yellow vest.
A set of spare light bulbs (every car in Tenerife has to carry these by law.)

If you are unfortunate enough to breakdown, you should wear the Yellow vest and place one of the red triangles 100m - 150m behind the vehicle, the second triangle should be placed between 100m - 150m in front of the car BUT on the opposite side of the road warning oncoming traffic of the problem ahead.

If you check for these at the point of collection of your Tenerife hire car then you will save yourself a great deal of trouble if you are unfortunate enough to have an accident.