Unofficial translation for learning purposes. Only the Polish text published in Dziennik Ustaw is legally binding — open the Polish original. Source: Act of 20 June 1997 – Prawo o ruchu drogowym (Road Traffic Act), consolidated text published by the Chancellery of the Sejm.
Art. 38.
1. The driver of a vehicle is obliged to carry and to produce, at the request of an authorised authority, the following documents required for the given type of vehicle or driver:
1) a document confirming the entitlement to drive a vehicle other than a driving licence issued in Poland, a tram driving permit or the temporary electronic driving licence referred to in Art. 4(1a) of the Act of 5 January 2011 on drivers of vehicles, if the driver does not hold a driving licence, a tram driving permit or a temporary electronic driving licence issued in Poland;
2) (repealed)
3) (repealed)
3a) a certificate of a technical inspection completed with a positive result as regards the fitting of the vehicle with an alcohol interlock, in the case referred to in Art. 13(5) point 7 of the Act of 5 January 2011 on drivers of vehicles;
3b) the report of the most recent technical roadside inspection, if one was carried out - in the case of a vehicle of category M2, M3, N2 and N3, a trailer of category O3 and O4 and a wheeled tractor of category T1b, T2b, T3b, T4.1b, T4.2b, T4.3b and T5 used on a public road for the carriage of goods for hire or reward;
4) the authorisation referred to in Art. 106(1) point 5 of the Act of 5 January 2011 on drivers of vehicles;
4a) a document confirming the calibration of the alcohol interlock, issued by the manufacturer of the device or its authorised representative;
4b) a receipt for the retention of:
a) a driving licence or a tram driving permit,
b) a registration certificate or a temporary permit,
c) a professional registration certificate - during the period in which it authorises the driving or the use of the vehicle;
4c) the driver qualification card, if required;
4d) a printout from the IT system of the competent Polish sports association within the meaning of the Act of 25 June 2010 on sport (Dz. U. z 2023 r. poz. 2048) containing information on holding a motor sport licence issued by that association, in the case of driving a passenger car intended for sports competitions;
4e) the sports car logbook issued by the competent Polish sports association within the meaning of the Act of 25 June 2010 on sport, in the case of a passenger car intended for sports competitions;
5) other documents, where such an obligation arises from a separate Act.
2. The driver of a vehicle registered abroad participating in traffic on the territory of the Republic of Poland is obliged to carry and to produce, at the request of an authorised authority, the documents referred to in para. 1 points 1 and 3a-5, as well as a document confirming that the vehicle is admitted to traffic and a document confirming the conclusion of a compulsory third-party liability insurance contract of the vehicle holder or proof of payment of the premium for that insurance.
2a. In the case referred to in para. 2, with regard to a vehicle of category M2, M3, N2 and N3, a trailer of category O3 and O4 and a wheeled tractor of category T1b, T2b, T3b, T4.1b, T4.2b, T4.3b and T5 used on a public road for the carriage of goods for hire or reward, the driver of the vehicle is also obliged to carry and to produce, at the request of an authorised authority, a document confirming that a technical inspection has been carried out, containing at least:
1) the VIN number or the number of the body, chassis or frame of the vehicle;
2) the registration number and the country of registration of the vehicle;
3) the place and date of the technical inspection carried out;
4) the defects found and their categories;
5) the result of the technical inspection;
6) the current expiry date of the technical inspection;
7) the name of the inspection authority or of the vehicle inspection station and the signature or identification number of the diagnostician who carried out the technical inspection.
2b. The obligation referred to in para. 2a does not apply to the driver of a new vehicle in the period from the date of its first registration abroad until the date of the first periodic technical inspection.
2c. The driver of a vehicle referred to in Art. 73(3) is obliged to carry and to produce, at the request of an authorised authority, the documents referred to in para. 1 points 1, 4 and 5, as well as a document confirming that the vehicle is admitted to traffic.
3. Where a test drive is performed with a vehicle using a professional registration certificate and professional registration plate(s), the authorised entity referred to in Art. 80s(2), or its employee, having regard to Art. 80w(3), is obliged to carry and to produce, at the request of an authorised authority, a document confirming that the vehicle is admitted to traffic.
Art. 39.
1. The driver of an automotive vehicle and a person carried in such a vehicle fitted with seat belts are obliged to use those belts while driving, subject to paras. 3, 3b and 3c.
2. The obligation to use seat belts does not apply to:
1) a person holding a medical certificate of a contraindication to the use of seat belts;
2) a woman with a visible pregnancy;
3) a taxi driver while carrying a passenger;
4) an instructor or examiner during training or examination;
5) a police officer, an officer of the Internal Security Agency, the Foreign Intelligence Agency, the Military Counterintelligence Service, the Military Intelligence Service, the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau, the Border Guard, the Customs and Tax Service and the Prison Service, a soldier of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland - while carrying a detained person (persons);
6) an officer of the State Protection Service while performing official duties;
6a) a soldier of the Military Police while performing protective duties;
7) a medical team while providing medical assistance;
8) a cash-in-transit escort while transporting cash valuables;
9) a sick or disabled person carried on a stretcher or in a wheelchair;
10) a child under 3 years of age carried in a vehicle of category M2 and M3;
11) a child carried under the terms provided for in Art. 2(2) of the Act of 20 June 1992 on entitlements to reduced-fare travel by means of public collective transport (Dz. U. z 2024 r. poz. 380).
2a. The driver of a vehicle of category M2 and M3, referred to in Annex No. 2 to the Act, fitted with seat belts is obliged to inform the persons carried in the vehicle of the obligation to use those belts while driving, unless they have been informed of that obligation:
1) by a person present in the vehicle who is in charge of the group being carried, or
2) by means of an audiovisual device, or
3) by means of a sign placed in a visible manner at each seat, conforming to the model specified in the annex to the Council Directive of 16 December 1991 relating to the compulsory use of safety belts and child-restraint systems in vehicles (91/671/EEC) (Dz. Urz. WE L 373 z 31.12.1991, str. 26, z późn. zm.; Dz. Urz. UE Polskie wydanie specjalne, rozdz. 7, t. 1, str. 353, z późn. zm.), hereinafter referred to as "Directive No. 91/671/EEC".
3. In a vehicle of category M1, N1, N2 and N3, referred to in Annex No. 2 to the Act, fitted with seat belts or child restraint systems, a child less than 150 cm tall is carried, except in the case referred to in para. 3b, in a child safety seat or another child restraint system conforming to:
1) the weight and height of the child, and
2) the relevant technical requirements laid down in European Union law or in the UNECE regulations on child restraint systems in vehicles.
3a. Child safety seats and other child restraint systems are installed in the vehicle in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer of the device, indicating how the device can be used safely.
3b. It is permitted to carry, in a vehicle of category M1, N1, N2 and N3, referred to in Annex No. 2 to the Act, on the rear seat of the vehicle, a child at least 135 cm tall restrained by seat belts in cases where, on account of the weight and height of the child, it is not possible to provide a child safety seat or another child restraint system conforming to the requirements referred to in para. 3.
3c. It is permitted to carry, in a vehicle of category M1 and N1, referred to in Annex No. 2 to the Act, on the rear seat of the vehicle, a third child at least 3 years of age restrained by seat belts, where two children are carried in child safety seats or other child restraint systems installed on the rear seats of the vehicle and it is not possible to install a third child safety seat or another child restraint system.
4. The provision of para. 3 does not apply to carrying a child:
1) by taxi;
2) by a specialist means of sanitary transport referred to in Art. 36(2) of the Act of 8 September 2006 on the National Medical Emergency Service (Dz. U. z 2024 r. poz. 652);
3) in a vehicle of the Police, the Border Guard or the municipal guard;
4) holding a medical certificate of a contraindication to being carried in a child safety seat or another child restraint system.
5. The medical certificates referred to in para. 2 point 1 and para. 4 point 4 contain:
1) the given name and surname;
2) the identification number of the Universal Electronic System for Registration of the Population (PESEL) and, in the case of a person who does not have a PESEL number - the series, number and name of the document confirming identity and the name of the state which issued that document;
3) the period of validity;
4) a graphic symbol conforming to the model specified in Art. 5 of Directive No. 91/671/EEC.
6. The minister responsible for health, in consultation with the minister responsible for transport, shall specify, by way of a regulation, the models of the medical certificates referred to in para. 2 point 1 and para. 4 point 4, guided by the European Union provisions on the compulsory use of seat belts and child restraint systems in vehicles and bearing in mind the need to standardise the documents used.
Art. 40.
1. The driver of a motorcycle, a quadricycle or a moped and a person carried on such vehicles are obliged to wear, while riding, protective helmets conforming to the relevant technical requirements.
2. The provision of para. 1 does not apply to motorcycles fitted as standard with seat belts.
3. The provision of para. 1 does not apply to quadricycles fitted as standard with a closed body and seat belts.
Art. 41.
A person carrying out works or other activities on the road is obliged to wear, in a manner visible to other road users, reflective elements conforming to the relevant technical requirements.
Art. 42.
A blind person moving independently along a road is obliged to carry a white cane in a manner visible to other road users.
Art. 43.
1. A child up to 7 years of age may use the road only under the supervision of a person who has reached at least 10 years of age. This does not apply to a residential zone.
3. The provision of para. 1 does not apply to a footway (pedestrian way).
Art. 44.
1. The driver of a vehicle who is involved in a road accident is obliged to:
1) stop the vehicle without thereby creating a hazard to road traffic safety;
2) take appropriate measures to ensure traffic safety at the scene of the accident;
3) immediately remove the vehicle from the scene of the accident so that it does not cause a hazard or obstruct traffic, if no one has been killed or injured;
4) give his or her personal details, the personal details of the owner or holder of the vehicle and the details of the insurance company with which the compulsory third-party liability insurance contract has been concluded, at the request of a person involved in the accident.
2. If a person has been killed or injured in the accident, the driver of the vehicle is additionally obliged to:
1) provide the necessary assistance to the victims of the accident and call a medical emergency team and the Police;
2) refrain from any action that could make it difficult to establish the course of the accident;
2a) until the Police arrive at the scene of the accident and he or she is tested to determine the alcohol content in the body or the presence of a substance acting similarly to alcohol, refrain from consuming alcohol and substances acting similarly to alcohol;
3) remain at the scene of the accident and, if calling a medical emergency team or the Police requires leaving it - return to that place immediately.
3. The provisions of paras. 1 and 2 apply accordingly to other persons involved in the accident.
Art. 45.
1) for a person in a state of intoxication, in a state after the consumption of alcohol or of a substance acting similarly to alcohol, to drive a vehicle, lead a column of pedestrians, ride on horseback or drive animals;
2) to tow a vehicle driven by a person referred to in point 1;
3) to open a vehicle door, to leave the doors open or to get out without making sure that this will not create a hazard to traffic safety or obstruct it;
4) to use the road or its individual parts in a manner inconsistent with their intended purpose, unless specific provisions provide otherwise;
5) to drive onto the strip between carriageways;
6) to leave on the road objects that could endanger traffic safety; however, if it is not possible to remove them, they must be marked in a manner visible by day and by night;
7) to place on the road or in its vicinity devices emitting or reflecting light in a manner that dazzles or misleads road users;
8) to place or switch on, or to remove or switch off, road signs and signals and warning, protective or monitoring devices on the road without authorisation, as well as to change their position or to obscure them;
9) to litter or pollute the road;
10) to place any signs, inscriptions or symbols on the road without authorisation.
2. The driver of a vehicle is prohibited from:
1) using, while driving, a telephone that requires the handset or microphone to be held in the hand;
2) carrying a person referred to in para. 1 point 1 on a bicycle or moped or on a motorcycle, unless that person is carried in a sidecar;
3) carrying a passenger in a manner inconsistent with Art. 39, 40 or 63(1);
4) carrying, in a child safety seat or another child restraint system, a child seated facing rearwards in the front seat of an automotive vehicle fitted with a passenger airbag that is active while the child is being carried;
5) carrying a child under 3 years of age in a vehicle of category M1, N1, N2 and N3, referred to in Annex No. 2 to the Act, not fitted with seat belts and a child safety seat or with seat belts and another child restraint system;
6) carrying in the front seat of an automotive vehicle, otherwise than in a child safety seat or another child restraint system, a child less than 150 cm tall.
Art. 46.
1. Stopping and parking a vehicle are permitted only in a place and in conditions in which it is visible from a sufficient distance to other drivers and does not create a hazard to road traffic safety or obstruct it.
2. A driver who stops a vehicle on the carriageway is obliged to position it as close as possible to its edge and parallel to it.
3. While parked on a road outside a built-up area, a vehicle should, if at all possible, be off the carriageway.
4. The driver of a vehicle is obliged to use the manner of stopping or parking indicated by road signs.
5. While the vehicle is parked, the driver is obliged to secure it against the possibility of being started by an unauthorised person and to take the other precautions necessary to avoid an accident.
Art. 47.
1. Stopping or parking on a footway (pedestrian way) with the wheels of one side or the front axle of an automotive vehicle with a maximum permissible mass not exceeding 2.5 t is permitted, provided that:
1) no stopping or parking prohibition applies on the given section of the carriageway;
2) the width of the pavement is not less than 1.5 m and pedestrian traffic will not be obstructed;
3) a vehicle placed with its front axle on the footway does not obstruct the traffic of vehicles on the carriageway.
2. Subject to the conditions specified in para. 1 points 1 and 2, it is permitted to stop or park a whole passenger car, motorcycle, moped or cycle cart (wózek rowerowy) on the footway at the edge of the carriageway. Another vehicle with a maximum permissible mass not exceeding 2.5 t may be placed entirely on the footway only in a place designated by the appropriate road signs.
3. Parking a bicycle, an e-scooter or a personal mobility device on the footway is permitted in a place designated for that purpose and, in the absence of such a place - as close as possible to the outer edge of the footway furthest from the carriageway and parallel to that edge, subject to the conditions specified in para. 1 point 2.
Art. 47a.
The driver of a vehicle in a tunnel, when stopping as a result of traffic conditions or traffic rules, is obliged to keep a distance from the preceding vehicle of not less than 5 m.
Art. 49.
1. It is prohibited to stop a vehicle:
1) on a level crossing, on a tram crossing, at an intersection and at a distance of less than 10 m from a crossing or an intersection;
2) on a pedestrian crossing, on a cycle crossing and at a distance of less than 10 m before that pedestrian crossing or cycle crossing; on a two-way road with two traffic lanes this prohibition also applies beyond that pedestrian crossing or cycle crossing;
3) in a tunnel, on a bridge or on a viaduct;
4) on the carriageway along a solid line and in the vicinity of its end points, if this would force other drivers of multi-track vehicles to drive over that line;
5) on the carriageway next to a broken line marking the edge of the carriageway and on the carriageway and on the shoulder next to a solid line marking the edge of the carriageway;
6) at a distance of less than 10 m from the front face of a road sign or signal, if it would be obscured by the vehicle;
7) on the carriageway at its left edge, except for stopping or parking a vehicle in a built-up area on a one-way road or on a two-way carriageway with light traffic;
8) on the strip between carriageways;
9) at a distance of less than 15 m from a post or plate marking a stop and, at a stop with a lay-by - along its entire length;
10) at a distance of less than 15 m from the end points of a traffic island, if the carriageway on its right-hand side has only one traffic lane;
11) on a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists, a cycle path, a cycle lane and in a cycle box, except for a bicycle.
1) in a place that obstructs entry or exit, in particular to and from a gateway, a garage, a car park or a parking bay;
2) in a place that obstructs access to another properly parked vehicle or the departure of that vehicle;
3) before and after a level crossing, on both sides of the road, on the section from the level crossing to the marker post with one bar;
4) in a residential zone, in a place other than one designated for that purpose;
5) in a built-up area, a vehicle or combination of vehicles with a maximum permissible mass exceeding 16 t or a length exceeding 12 m, outside the car parks designated for that purpose.
3. It is prohibited to stop or park a vehicle on a motorway or expressway in a place other than one designated for that purpose. If the vehicle has become immobilised for technical reasons, the driver of the vehicle is obliged to remove the vehicle from the carriageway and to warn other road users.
4. The prohibition on stopping or parking a vehicle does not apply to the immobilisation of a vehicle resulting from traffic conditions or traffic rules.
Art. 50.
1. The driver of a vehicle is obliged to signal the standing of a motor vehicle or trailer due to damage or an accident:
1) on a motorway or expressway - in every case;
2) on other roads with a hard surface:
a) outside a built-up area - in the case of standing on the carriageway in a place where this is prohibited, and on the shoulder, if the vehicle is not visible from a sufficient distance,
b) in a built-up area - in the case of standing on the carriageway in a place where stopping is prohibited.
2. The standing of a vehicle referred to in para. 1 must be signalled in the following manner:
1) on a motorway or expressway - by:
a) switching on the vehicle's hazard warning lights and, if the vehicle is not fitted with them, the position lights must be switched on,
b) placing a warning reflective triangle at a distance of 100 m behind the vehicle; the triangle is placed on the carriageway or on the shoulder, according to the place where the vehicle became immobilised;
2) on other roads:
a) outside a built-up area - by placing a warning reflective triangle at a distance of 30-50 m behind the vehicle and switching on the hazard warning lights; where the vehicle is not fitted with hazard warning lights, the position lights must be switched on,
b) in a built-up area - by switching on the hazard warning lights and, if the vehicle is not fitted with them, the position lights must be switched on and a warning reflective triangle placed behind the vehicle or on it, at a height of not more than 1 m.
3. The signalling referred to in paras. 1 and 2 is required for the entire duration of the vehicle's standing.
Art. 50a.
1. A vehicle left without registration plates, or a vehicle whose condition indicates that it is not in use, may be removed from the road by the municipal guard or the Police at the expense of the owner or holder.
2. A vehicle removed under the procedure specified in para. 1 which is not collected by an authorised person, upon the municipality's request, within 6 months from the date of removal is deemed to have been abandoned with the intention of disposing of it. That vehicle becomes the property of the municipality by operation of law.
3. The provision of para. 2 does not apply where the failure to collect the vehicle occurred for reasons beyond the control of the person obliged.
4. The provision of para. 2 applies accordingly where, within 6 months from the date of removal of the vehicle, the person entitled to collect it has not been established.
5. The minister responsible for internal affairs, guided by the principle of respect for the right of ownership and the need to ensure order on public roads, shall specify, by way of a regulation:
1) the detailed procedure and the units and the conditions of their cooperation as regards the removal of vehicles without registration plates or whose condition indicates that they are not in use;
2) the procedure for the transfer of ownership of a vehicle to the municipality.
Art. 51.
1. The driver of a vehicle is obliged to use dipped-beam headlights while driving in conditions of normal air transparency.
2. During the period from dawn to dusk in conditions of normal air transparency, the driver of a vehicle may use daytime running lights instead of dipped-beam headlights.
3. During the period from dusk to dawn, on unlit roads, the driver of a vehicle may use main-beam headlights instead of dipped-beam headlights or together with them, provided that they do not dazzle other drivers or pedestrians moving in a column. A driver using main-beam headlights is obliged to switch them to dipped-beam headlights when the following are approaching:
1) a vehicle coming from the opposite direction, whereby if one of the drivers has switched off the main-beam headlights - the other is obliged to do the same;
2) a preceding vehicle, if its driver may be dazzled;
3) a rail vehicle or a water transport vessel, if they are moving at such a distance that there is a possibility of dazzling the drivers of those vehicles.
5. On a winding road marked with the appropriate road signs, the driver of a vehicle may use front fog lights from dusk to dawn, also in conditions of normal air transparency.
6. The provisions of paras. 1-3 do not apply to the driver of a vehicle that is not fitted with dipped-beam headlights, main-beam headlights or daytime running lights. The driver of such a vehicle is obliged, during the period from dusk to dawn or in a tunnel, to use the lights that are the mandatory equipment of the vehicle.
7. The provisions of paras. 1-5 apply accordingly while the vehicle is stopped as a result of traffic conditions or traffic rules. If the stop lasts more than 1 minute, the vehicle's external lights may be switched off, provided that other vehicles are standing in the same traffic lane in front of and behind that vehicle.
Art. 52.
1. The driver of a motor vehicle or a rail vehicle is obliged, in conditions of insufficient visibility, while stopped otherwise than as a result of traffic conditions or traffic rules and while parked, to use the front and rear position lights or the parking lights. In a vehicle not coupled with a trailer and in a combination of vehicles with a length not exceeding 6 m, the parking lights may be switched on only on the side facing the centre of the carriageway.
2. While stopped or parked in a place lit to a degree ensuring the visibility of the vehicle or located off the carriageway and the shoulder, all the vehicle's lights may be switched off. This provision does not apply to a rail vehicle or to a vehicle carrying a device or load that projects beyond the vehicle and requires marking with separate lights.
3. A light illuminating roadside objects (a searchlight) may be switched on only while stopped or parked, provided that it does not dazzle other road users. This restriction does not apply to an emergency vehicle.
Art. 53.
1. An emergency vehicle in road traffic may be an automotive vehicle, or an agricultural tractor, belonging to:
1) fire protection units;
2) a medical emergency team;
3) the Police;
4) a chemical rescue unit;
5) the Border Guard;
5a) the Internal Supervision Bureau;
6) the Internal Security Agency;
7) the Foreign Intelligence Agency;
7a) the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau;
7b) the Military Counterintelligence Service;
7c) the Military Intelligence Service;
8) the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland;
9) the Prison Service;
10) the State Protection Service;
10a) (repealed)
10b) (repealed)
10c) municipal guards;
10d) entities authorised to perform mountain rescue;
10e) the National Park Service;
10f) entities authorised to perform water rescue;
10g) the National Revenue Administration, used by the Customs and Tax Service;
11) the Road Transport Inspectorate;
12) a unit not listed in points 1-11, if it is used in connection with the rescue of human life or health - on the basis of an authorisation of the minister responsible for internal affairs.
1a. The minister responsible for internal affairs shall declare the expiry of the authorisation referred to in para. 1 point 12 when the circumstances justifying the use of the vehicle as an emergency vehicle cease.
2. The driver of an emergency vehicle may, provided that particular care is exercised, disregard the provisions on the movement of vehicles, on stopping and parking and the road signs and signals only where:
1) he is taking part:
a) in an operation connected with rescuing life, human health or property or with the need to ensure safety or public order, or
b) in the passage of a column of emergency vehicles,
c) in the performance of tasks connected directly with ensuring the safety of persons holding senior State positions who are entitled to protection under separate provisions;
2) the vehicle is emitting a light signal and an audible signal simultaneously; after the vehicle has stopped, the use of the audible signal is not required;
3) the vehicle has its main-beam or dipped-beam headlights switched on.
3. The driver of an emergency vehicle is obliged to comply with the orders and signals given by persons directing traffic or authorised to control it.
4. The minister responsible for internal affairs, taking into account in particular the need to ensure order, efficiency and safety of road traffic, shall specify, by way of a regulation, the circumstances in which emergency vehicles are used in columns.
Art. 53a.
A vehicle of a medical emergency team is permitted to travel on the traffic lanes for buses designated by the road administrator.
Art. 54.
1. A vehicle carrying out cleaning, repair or modernisation works on the road should emit yellow flashing signals.
2. The driver of a vehicle referred to in para. 1 may, provided that particular care is exercised, not comply with the provisions on the obligation to drive on the carriageway or at its right edge and on stopping and parking, except that:
1) on a one-way carriageway and outside a built-up area, while the road is being cleared of snow, driving at the left edge of the carriageway is also permitted;
2) driving on a footway is permitted only where the safety of pedestrians is maintained.
2a. The driver of a vehicle referred to in para. 1 may use a motorway or expressway even where that vehicle is not an automotive vehicle or its design makes it impossible to reach a speed of at least 40 km/h.
3. A vehicle which, on account of its design, load or unusual behaviour on the road, may endanger road traffic safety should emit yellow flashing signals.
4. It is prohibited, subject to Art. 31(1) point 5, to use yellow flashing signals for purposes other than those specified in paras. 1 and 3.
Art. 55.
1. A vehicle used for driving instruction or for conducting the state examination is marked with a square blue plate bearing the white letter "L", placed on the vehicle. In conditions of insufficient visibility, the plate placed on the vehicle, with the exception of a plate on a motorcycle, should be illuminated. The plate with which a motorcycle is marked should be made of reflective material.
2. While a vehicle used for driving instruction is being driven by a person other than a person applying for an entitlement to drive a vehicle, the plate referred to in para. 1 should be covered or folded.
3. The driver of a vehicle, when passing a vehicle referred to in para. 1 or driving behind it, is obliged to exercise particular care.
Art. 57.
1. A vehicle carrying an organised group of children or young people up to 18 years of age is marked at the front and at the rear with square yellow plates bearing a black symbol of children. In conditions of insufficient visibility, the plates should be illuminated, unless they are made of reflective material. The driver of that vehicle is obliged to switch on the hazard warning lights while the children or young people are getting on or off.
2. The driver of a vehicle, when passing a vehicle referred to in para. 1, is obliged, while the children or young people are getting on or off, to exercise particular care and, if necessary, to stop.
3. It is prohibited to mark a vehicle with the plates referred to in para. 1 at a time when children or young people are not being carried.
Art. 57a.
1. The driver of a school bus is obliged to switch on the hazard warning lights while the children are getting on or off.
2. The driver of a vehicle, when passing a school bus, is obliged to exercise particular care.
3. If the school bus is carrying other persons or is not carrying any persons, the plates bearing the inscription "autobus szkolny" (school bus) should be removed, covered or folded.
Art. 58.
1. A vehicle structurally designed to carry disabled persons is marked at the front and at the rear with blue plates bearing the international wheelchair symbol in white. Those plates should be made of reflective material. The driver of that vehicle is obliged to switch on the hazard warning lights while a disabled person is getting on or off.
2. The driver of a vehicle, when passing a vehicle referred to in para. 1, is obliged, while a disabled person is getting on or off, to exercise particular care and, if necessary, to stop.
Art. 59.
1. A vehicle registered in the Republic of Poland which is to be used in international traffic should be marked with a sign bearing the letters "PL".
2. A vehicle registered abroad participating in traffic on the territory of the Republic of Poland should be marked with a sign specifying the state in which it is registered.
3. The obligation referred to in paras. 1 and 2 is deemed to have been fulfilled if the registration plate bears a sign specifying the state in which the vehicle was registered.
Art. 60.
1) to use a vehicle in a manner that endangers the safety of a person inside or outside the vehicle;
2) to cover the lights and signalling devices, the registration plates or other required plates or signs that should be visible;
3) to decorate the registration plates and to place at the front or at the rear of the vehicle signs, inscriptions or objects that reduce the legibility of those plates;
3a) to place the registration plate(s) on the vehicle in a place other than that structurally intended for that purpose;
3b) to place single-row reduced-size registration plates on the vehicle if the vehicle does not have reduced dimensions of the space structurally intended for placing the registration plate;
4) to place on the vehicle a sign specifying a state other than that in which the vehicle was registered.
1a. Keeping the registration plate(s) and other required markings of the vehicle in a proper condition and ensuring their legibility is the obligation of the driver of the vehicle.
2. The driver is prohibited from:
1) moving away from the vehicle while the engine is running;
2) using the vehicle in a manner that causes nuisance connected with excessive emission of exhaust gases into the environment or excessive noise;
3) leaving the engine running while parked in a built-up area; this does not apply to a vehicle carrying out activities on the road;
4) towing behind the vehicle a person riding an e-scooter or a personal mobility device, a person moving with the use of a mobility aid, a person on a sledge or another similar device, an animal or a load;
5) using tyres with permanently fitted anti-skid elements.
3. The use of anti-skid chains on tyres is permitted only on a road covered with snow.
4. The prohibition referred to in para. 2 point 5 does not apply to:
1) automotive vehicles taking part in winter rallies and winter races with the consent of the road manager, given under the procedure specified in Art. 65a(3) point 7a;
2) bicycles.
5. It is prohibited to drive a motor vehicle or a moped in a manner:
1) that causes intentional skidding of the wheels (drift);
2) that causes an intentional loss of contact with the road surface of even one of the vehicle's wheels; this does not apply to wheels on liftable axles in vehicles of category N2, N3 and M3.
Art. 61.
1. The load must not cause the maximum permissible mass or the permissible load capacity of the vehicle to be exceeded.
2. The load is placed on the vehicle in such a way that it:
1) does not cause the permissible axle loads of the vehicle on the road to be exceeded;
2) does not impair the stability of the vehicle;
3) does not make the vehicle difficult to drive;
4) does not restrict the view of the road or obscure the lights, signalling devices, registration plates or other plates or signs with which the vehicle is equipped.
3. A load placed on a vehicle should be secured against a change of position or the generation of excessive noise. It must not have a repulsive appearance or emit a repulsive odour.
4. The devices used to secure the load should be protected against loosening, hanging freely or falling off while driving.
5. A bulk load may be placed only in a sealed load box, additionally secured with appropriate covers preventing the load from spilling onto the road.
6. A load projecting beyond the outline planes of the vehicle may be placed on it only subject to the following conditions:
1) a load projecting beyond the side outline planes of the vehicle may be placed only in such a way that the total width of the vehicle with the load does not exceed 2.55 m and, where the width of the vehicle is 2.55 m, does not exceed 3 m, provided, however, that the load is placed so that on one side it does not project by more than 23 cm;
2) the load must not project from the rear of the vehicle by more than 2 m from the rear outline plane of the vehicle or combination of vehicles; in the case of a pole trailer, that distance is measured from the axle of the trailer;
3) the load must not project from the front of the vehicle by more than 0.5 m from the front outline plane and by more than 1.5 m from the driver's seat.
7. In the carriage of long timber, the load is permitted to project from the rear beyond the pole trailer by not more than 5 m.
8. A load projecting beyond the front or side outline planes of the vehicle should be marked. This also applies to a load projecting beyond the rear outline plane of the vehicle by more than 0.5 m.
9. The following marking of the load is established:
1) a load projecting from the front of the vehicle is marked with an orange flag or with two white and two red stripes, so that they are visible from the sides and from the front of the vehicle and, in the period of insufficient visibility, additionally with a white light placed on the most forward-projecting part of the load;
2) a load projecting from the side of the vehicle is marked with an orange flag measuring at least 50 x 50 cm, placed at the most projecting edge of the load and, in addition, in the period of insufficient visibility, with a white reflective light facing forwards and a red light and a red reflective light facing rearwards; those lights should not be more than 40 cm from the most projecting edge of the load; if the length of the load projecting from the side, measured along the vehicle, exceeds 3 m, the flag and the lights are placed at the front and rear parts of the load respectively;
3) a load projecting from the rear of the vehicle is marked with white and red stripes placed directly on the load or on a board on its rear plane, or on a geometric solid (e.g. a cone, a pyramid) suspended at the end of the load; the total area of the stripes visible from the rear should be at least 1000 cm2, whereby there must be not fewer than two stripes of each colour; in addition, in the period of insufficient visibility, a red light and a red reflective light are placed on the most rearward-projecting edge of the load; in the carriage of long timber, instead of marking with white and red stripes, it is permitted to mark the end of the load with an orange flag or board;
4) a load projecting from the rear of a passenger car or of a trailer towed by a passenger car may be marked with a red flag measuring at least 50 x 50 cm, placed at the most projecting edge of the load.
10. The height of the vehicle with the load must not exceed 4 m.
15. In the carriage of timber, its actual mass is determined as the product of the volume of the load and the standard density established for the given species of timber.
16. The minister responsible for the environment and the minister responsible for the economy, in consultation with the minister responsible for transport, shall specify, by way of a regulation, the density of timber, taking into account in particular the species of timber used in industry and construction, its type and the form in which it is carried, bearing in mind the need to determine the mass of the timber carried in order to avoid exceeding the axle loads of vehicles and to limit the negative impact on the technical condition of roads.
17. The minister responsible for transport may specify, by way of a regulation, the manner of carrying a load, having regard to the manner of its distribution and the effect of securing the load on the vehicle, as well as to ensuring road traffic safety and protection of the environment.
Art. 62.
1. The actual total mass of a trailer towed by:
1) a passenger car, a lorry with a maximum permissible mass not exceeding 3.5 t or a bus - must not exceed the actual total mass of the towing vehicle;
2) a lorry with a maximum permissible mass exceeding 3.5 t - must not exceed the actual total mass of that lorry increased by 40 %;
3) a motorcycle or a moped - must not exceed the unladen mass of the motorcycle or moped, and in any case must not exceed 100 kg.
2. The provision of para. 1 does not apply to semi-trailers.
3. The provisions of paras. 1 and 2 do not apply to vehicles of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland, the Police, the Border Guard and fire protection units.
4. A combination of vehicles may consist of no more than 3 vehicles, and a combination towed by a motor vehicle other than an agricultural tractor or a slow-moving vehicle - of 2 vehicles.
4a. The length of a combination of 2 vehicles must not exceed 18.75 m, and of 3 vehicles - 22 m, with the exception of a combination of vehicles consisting of:
1) an automotive vehicle and a semi-trailer, whose length must not exceed 16.5 m;
2) a motorcycle and a trailer, a moped and a trailer, a bicycle and a trailer, a cycle cart and a trailer, whose length must not exceed 4 m.
4b. The passage of a combination of vehicles:
1) consisting of a number of vehicles greater than that specified in para. 4 requires the permit referred to in Art. 64d;
2) with a length greater than that specified in para. 4a requires the permit referred to in Art. 64c or Art. 64d respectively.
5. The lengths of combinations of vehicles specified in para. 4a do not apply to trams.
Art. 63.
1. Persons may be carried only in a vehicle intended or adapted for that purpose. The number of persons carried may not exceed the number of seats specified in the registration certificate, subject to para. 4. In a vehicle not subject to registration, the number of persons carried follows from the design purpose of the vehicle.
2. The carriage of persons in a lorry outside the driver's cab is permitted provided that:
1) the vehicle meets the technical conditions required for the carriage of persons;
2) the persons are not between the load and the driver's cab;
3) the persons are carried in seats;
4) the vehicle does not exceed a speed of 50 km/h.
3. The carriage of persons in a trailer is prohibited, except that the following are permitted:
1) the carriage of children to and from schools or kindergartens in a trailer adapted for the carriage of persons and towed by an agricultural tractor;
2) the carriage of escorts, work crews and persons performing loading operations in a trailer towed by an agricultural tractor, provided that:
a) the number of persons carried does not exceed 5,
b) standing persons hold on to the handholds,
c) the persons are not between the load and the front wall of the trailer,
d) the speed of the combination of vehicles does not exceed 20 km/h;
3) the carriage of persons in the trailer (trailers) of a tourist train, provided that those persons are carried exclusively in seats;
4) the carriage of children in a trailer structurally adapted for the carriage of persons and towed by a bicycle or a cycle cart.
4. The provisions of paras 1-3 do not apply to carriage in vehicles of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland, the Police, the Border Guard, the Prison Service and fire protection units.
5. A driver of a motor vehicle who is carrying a person is prohibited from smoking tobacco or consuming food while driving. This does not apply to the driver of a lorry carrying a person in the driver's cab or to the driver of a passenger car, with the exception of a taxi.
6. The Minister of National Defence shall determine, by way of a regulation, the conditions for the carriage of persons in vehicles of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland, having regard to the safety of the persons carried.
7. The minister responsible for internal affairs and the Minister of Justice shall determine, by way of a regulation, the conditions for the carriage of persons in vehicles of the Police, the Border Guard, the Prison Service and fire protection units, having regard to the safety of the persons carried.
Art. 64.
1. The movement of an oversize vehicle (pojazd nienormatywny) is permitted provided that:
1) a permit for the movement of an oversize vehicle of the appropriate category is obtained, issued by way of an administrative decision by the competent authority, and in the case of an oversize vehicle belonging to the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland, provided that a military permit for road movement is obtained, issued by the competent military authority;
2) the conditions of movement specified in the permit referred to in point 1 are complied with;
3) the movement of the oversize vehicle is escorted on the terms and in the manner specified in the provisions issued pursuant to Art. 64i(2), including by the required number of vehicles equipped and marked in accordance with those provisions;
4) the driver of the oversize vehicle exercises particular care.
2. It is prohibited to carry in an oversize vehicle loads other than an indivisible load, with the exception of oversize vehicles authorised to travel on the basis of a category I permit.
3. The dimensions, mass and axle loads of oversize vehicles authorised to travel on the basis of category I-V permits, and the roads on which those vehicles may travel, are specified in the table constituting Annex No. 1 to the Act.
4. The driver of an oversize vehicle is obliged to carry the permit referred to in para. 1 point 1 and to produce it to authorised persons.
5. The authority issuing a permit for the movement of an oversize vehicle keeps a register of the permits issued. The following data are entered in the register:
1) the number of the permit;
2) the date of issue of the permit;
3) the category of the permit;
4) of the entity to which the permit was issued;
5) of the vehicle or combination of vehicles, if they were specified in the permit.
Art. 64b.
1. A category I permit is issued for the movement of an oversize slow-moving vehicle, an agricultural tractor or a combination of vehicles consisting of a slow-moving vehicle or an agricultural tractor and a special trailer.
2. The permit is issued at the request of the entity carrying out the movement. Proof of payment of the fee for issuing the permit shall be attached to the application.
3. The permit is issued by the district governor (starosta) competent for the applicant's registered office or for the place where the movement begins. The permit is issued once the fee has been paid, within 3 working days from the date on which the application for its issue was submitted.
4. The permit is issued for a period of 12 months and indicates in it:
1) the entity carrying out the movement;
2) the vehicle with which the movement will be carried out.
5. The provision of Art. 64(1) point 3 does not apply to the movement of an oversize vehicle referred to in para. 1.
Art. 64c.
1. Category II-IV permits for the movement of an oversize vehicle are issued for the period indicated in the application: one month, 6 months, 12 months or 24 months.
2. The permit is issued at the request of the interested entity. Proof of payment of the fee for issuing the permit shall be attached to the application.
1) the district governor (starosta) competent for the applicant's registered office or for the place where the movement begins - for category II permits;
2) the General Director for National Roads and Motorways - for category III and IV permits.
4. Category II and III permits are also issued, on entry into the territory of the Republic of Poland, by the head of the customs and tax office.
5. A category III permit entitles the holder to travel with the vehicles and on the roads specified for a category II permit.
7. The permit is issued once the fee has been paid, within 3 working days from the date on which the application for its issue was submitted. If the permit is not issued, the fee paid is refunded.
8. The permit is issued for the entity carrying out the movement, without indicating the vehicle with which the movement will be carried out.
9. An entity holding a category IV permit which plans to cross a bridge or viaduct on roads other than national roads with a vehicle whose actual total mass is greater than the permissible mass is obliged to notify in writing the road administrator competent for that bridge or viaduct of the date and route of the planned journey, 7 working days before the date of the planned journey, whereby the 7th day of that period is the final day on which the notification must reach the authority.
10. In the case referred to in para. 9, the road administrator shall, no later than 3 days before the date of the planned journey, confirm receipt of the notification and may specify the conditions for crossing the bridge or viaduct or lodge a justified objection.
11. The conditions for the movement of an oversize vehicle across a bridge or viaduct are specified by the road administrator, who determines, as required, traffic restrictions, the manner of the crossing and the adaptation of the structure to the crossing.
12. The road administrator may lodge the objection referred to in para. 10 if the technical condition of the bridge or viaduct over which the oversize vehicle is planned to travel, determined on the basis of the provisions of the Construction Law, makes that crossing impossible.
13. It is prohibited to cross a bridge or viaduct where an objection has been lodged, or to cross it contrary to the conditions for crossing that structure.
Art. 64d.
1. A category V permit for the movement of an oversize vehicle is issued for a single journey or for multiple journeys on public roads within a designated time, along the route designated in the permit. The permit is issued for a vehicle whose movement, because of its dimensions, mass or axle loads, is not possible on the basis of category I-IV permits.
2. The permit may be issued provided that:
1) the load is indivisible;
2) the consent to the journey has been obtained from the road administrator competent for the route of the journey;
3) it is possible to designate a route of the journey that ensures the safety and efficiency of road traffic, and in particular:
a) the traffic volume allows the oversize vehicle to travel safely,
b) the technical condition of the structures situated along the route of the journey under consideration, determined on the basis of the provisions of the Construction Law, allows the journey to be made,
c) the journey does not create a threat to the technical condition of the building structures situated near the route of the journey.
3. The permit is issued at the request of the interested entity. Proof of payment of the fee for issuing the permit shall be attached to the application. If the permit is not issued, the fee paid is refunded.
4. The permit is issued, after consultation with the other road administrators and once the fee has been paid, by the General Director for National Roads and Motorways, within 14 working days from the date on which the application was submitted, subject to para. 5. If the route of the oversize vehicle's journey runs within the administrative boundaries of a city with county rights and does not run along a motorway or an expressway, the permit is issued by the mayor of the city.
5. The road administrator competent for the category of road along which the journey is planned shall agree the route of the journey within 7 working days from the date of receipt of the written enquiry from the authority issuing the permit, taking into account the conditions of the journey and the technical condition of the road. If no reply to the enquiry is given, the route is deemed to have been agreed.
6. If the movement of the oversize vehicle requires the scope of adaptation of the road infrastructure situated along the route of the journey to be determined, the time limit for issuing the permit may be extended to 30 days, whereby the authority issuing the permit is obliged to notify the entity submitting the application of this within 7 days from the date on which the application was submitted.
7. The costs connected with adapting sections of roads for the movement of an oversize vehicle are borne by the entity carrying out that journey.
8. The costs referred to in para. 7 include the costs of adapting the road infrastructure along the route of the oversize vehicle's journey and of the supplies, services or works indicated in the permit for the movement of the oversize vehicle, including the costs of:
1) carrying out the necessary expert opinions and examinations of sections of roads and of road engineering structures;
2) preparing the necessary design and cost-estimate documentation;
3) temporarily removing restrictions of the road clearance gauge;
4) strengthening sections of roads and road engineering structures;
5) carrying out protective works along the route of the vehicle's journey;
6) making geometric corrections to the route of the journey or to the intersections along it;
7) constructing or adapting local diversions occurring along the route of the vehicle's journey;
8) carrying out work connected with restoring sections of roads to their previous condition or to the condition agreed with the competent road administrator;
9) making changes to the traffic organisation or restoring it to its previous condition or to the condition agreed with the competent road administrator.
9. The permit is issued for the entity carrying out the journey with an oversize vehicle and indicates in it:
1) the period of validity of the permit;
2) the route of the journey;
3) the number of journeys;
4) the vehicle with which the journey will be carried out;
5) the conditions of the journey, including the scope of adaptation of the road infrastructure along the route of the journey;
6) the manner of escorting, in so far as it is required.
10. The permit is valid for a period of:
1) 14 days - in the case of a permit for a single journey,
2) 30 days - in the case of a permit for multiple journeys - counted from the day indicated in the application for the issue of the permit.
11. The fee for issuing the permit is determined in accordance with the formula: On = pj + (n - 1) × 0.7 × pj, in which the individual symbols mean: - On - the amount of the fee for issuing the permit, - n - the number of journeys of the oversize vehicle, - pj - the rate of the fee for issuing a permit for a single journey of an oversize vehicle.
Art. 64e.
1. The provisions of Art. 64(1) points 1 and 2 and of Art. 64(2) and (3) and of Art. 64b-64d do not apply to:
1) a bus - as regards axle loads;
2) a vehicle whose width and length without a load are not greater than the permissible ones and which carries a load on the terms specified in Art. 61(6), (8) and (9);
3) a vehicle taking part in rescue operations and in the direct removal of the effects of natural disasters;
3a) a vehicle delivering to hospitals the equipment and supplies necessary to combat infections and infectious diseases during a state of epidemic threat or a state of epidemic declared on the basis of the Act of 5 December 2008 on preventing and combating infections and infectious diseases in humans (Dz. U. of 2023, items 1284, 909 and 1938);
4) a vehicle of the road administration;
5) a vehicle of the Police, the Road Transport Inspectorate, the State Protection Service, the Internal Security Agency, the Foreign Intelligence Agency, the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau, the Border Guard, the Prison Service, the National Revenue Administration used by the Customs and Fiscal Service and of fire protection units, performing the tasks of those services.
1a. In the case of a journey by a vehicle referred to in para. 1 point 3a, the entity carrying out the journey shall inform of it the road administrators competent for the route of the journey.
2. The minister responsible for transport may, by way of an administrative decision, exempt from the obligation to obtain a permit for the movement of an oversize vehicle a vehicle carrying out a journey as part of humanitarian or medical aid, provided that the consent to the journey is obtained from the road administrators competent for the route of the journey.
3. The exemption referred to in para. 2 is granted at the request of the interested entity carrying out the journey and of the competent state or local government authority or humanitarian organisation.
Art. 64ea.
Where a journey with an oversize vehicle is carried out on the basis of a permit referred to in Art. 64(1) point 1 of a category other than the one required, or on the basis of a category V permit with the technical parameters of the vehicle or combination of vehicles indicated in that permit exceeded, the movement of the oversize vehicle is deemed to be carried out without a permit.
Art. 64f.
1. The maximum rates of the fees for issuing a permit for the movement of an oversize vehicle are set at:
1) category I - 120 zł;
2) category II - 2400 zł;
3) category III - 3600 zł;
4) category IV - 5800 zł;
5) category V for a single journey:
a) of a vehicle whose dimensions exceed the values set for categories II and III and whose axle loads and mass are not greater than the permissible ones - 600 zł,
b) in the remaining cases - 2000 zł.
2. The maximum fee rates are changed each year for the following calendar year to the extent corresponding to the average annual index of prices of consumer goods and services in total, announced by the President of the Central Statistical Office in the Official Journal of the Republic of Poland "Monitor Polski".
3. The minister responsible for transport shall determine, by way of a regulation, the amount of the fees for issuing a permit for the movement of an oversize vehicle in the individual categories of permits, taking into account the period for which they are to be issued, the costs of issuing the permit and the degree of impact of the movement of the oversize vehicle on the road infrastructure.
Art. 64g.
1. The fees for issuing a permit for the movement of an oversize vehicle are transferred by:
1) the district governor (starosta) - to the budgets of the competent local government units, for category I and II permits;
2) the head of the customs and tax office - to the budget of the county competent for the registered office of the head of the customs and tax office, for category II permits;
3) the head of the customs and tax office and the General Director for National Roads and Motorways - to a separate bank account of the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways, for category III-V permits;
4) the mayor of a city with county rights - to the city budget, for category V permits.
2. The funds from the fees collected in the separate bank account of the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways are transferred, within the first 2 working days following the week in which the permit was issued, to the account of the National Road Fund, to be used for the construction or reconstruction of national roads, road engineering structures and ferry crossings and for the purchase of vehicle weighing devices.
3. Customs and tax offices receive a commission on the fees collected for issuing a permit amounting to 12 % of the fee collected.
4. The commission referred to in para. 3 constitutes income of the state budget.
5. Customs and tax offices deduct the commission from the fees for issuing a permit and transfer the remaining part of the fee, within 4 days after each successive 10 days of the month, to the entities listed in para. 1 points 2 and 3 respectively.
Art. 64h.
The minister responsible for transport shall select the producer of the blank forms of permits for the movement of an oversize vehicle.
Art. 64i.
1. The minister responsible for transport shall determine, by way of a regulation:
1) the conditions for distributing the blank forms of permits for the movement of an oversize vehicle,
2) the manner and procedure for issuing permits for the movement of an oversize vehicle,
3) the conditions for designating the route of the journey and the criteria for establishing the conditions for the movement of an oversize vehicle, including the crossing of a bridge or viaduct,
4) the templates of permits for the movement of an oversize vehicle and the templates of the documents connected with issuing those permits - having regard to the need to standardise the permits and to facilitate their identification, to the efficiency of the distribution of the blank permit forms, and to the need to ensure the efficiency and transparency of the administrative procedure for issuing permits and the safety of the road infrastructure and the safety of the movement of the oversize vehicle.
2. The minister responsible for transport, in agreement with the minister responsible for internal affairs, shall determine, by way of a regulation, the detailed conditions and manner of escorting oversize vehicles and the equipment and marking of the escorting vehicles, having regard to the need to ensure that the movement of an oversize vehicle is recognisable and to road traffic safety during such a journey.
3. The minister responsible for internal affairs and the Minister of Justice, in agreement with the minister responsible for transport, shall determine, by way of a regulation, the conditions for the movement on roads of the oversize vehicles referred to in Art. 64e(1) point 5, having regard to the need to ensure order, efficiency and safety of road traffic.
4. The Minister of National Defence shall determine, by way of a regulation:
1) the military authorities competent to issue military permits for road journeys,
2) the manner and procedure for issuing military permits for road journeys,
3) the templates of military permits for road journeys and the templates of the documents connected with their issue,
4) the manner of organising and marking columns of vehicles,
5) the conditions and manner of escorting vehicles of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland and the marking and equipment of the escorting vehicle - having regard to the need to standardise the procedure for issuing military permits for road journeys, to the efficiency of issuing military permits for road journeys and to ensuring road traffic safety during the movement of vehicles of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland.
Art. 65.
Sporting competitions, rallies, races, the carriage of persons by tourist train and other events which cause obstructions to traffic or require a special use of the road may take place provided that safety and order are ensured for the duration of the event and that a permit for holding it is obtained.
Art. 65a.
1. The organiser of the event is obliged to ensure the safety of the persons present at the event and order for the duration of the event.
2. The organiser of the event is obliged to ensure:
1) compliance with the requirements laid down in particular in the provisions of construction law, sanitary provisions and provisions on fire protection and environmental protection;
2) an order and information service distinguished by elements of clothing;
3) medical and pre-medical assistance appropriate to the number of participants in the event, as well as adequate hygiene and sanitary facilities;
4) evacuation routes and roads enabling access by the rescue services and the Police, the Border Guard and the Military Police;
5) conditions for organising communication between the entities taking part in securing the event;
6) rescue and firefighting equipment and extinguishing agents necessary to secure rescue and firefighting operations;
7) where necessary, a room for the services managing the securing of the event;
8) the technical means necessary to secure the event, and in particular:
a) warning and information signs or boards,
b) ropes, tapes or ribbons used to mark out the route or the place of the event,
c) barriers, fences or partitions used to fence off the place of the event.
3. The organiser of the event is obliged to:
1) agree with the authorities managing traffic on the roads the course of the route on which the event is to take place;
2) cooperate with the Police and, if the event takes place in the border zone or on roads running through or adjacent to areas administered by organisational units subordinate to or supervised by the Minister of National Defence, or on roads adjacent to those areas, with the Border Guard or the Military Police respectively:
a) by agreeing the course of the route or the place of the event,
b) by applying the instructions concerning the proper securing of the event,
c) by making a joint inspection tour of the route or the place of the event;
3) draw up a plan specifying the ways of ensuring safety and public order during the event in the area of the individual voivodeships, covering:
a) a list of the persons forming the order service, their deployment and the elements of clothing distinguishing those persons,
b) written instructions specifying the tasks of the order services, drawn up in agreement with the Police,
c) the type and quantity of the technical means referred to in para. 2 point 8 and the place where they are to be deployed,
d) the types, scope and manner of the rescue cover for the event, in agreement with the competent county commander of the State Fire Service and with other rescue services, including with the competent unit operator within the meaning of the provisions of the Act of 8 September 2006 on the State Medical Rescue Service,
e) the manner of marking places dangerous for the participants in the event,
f) the marking of the vehicles taking part in the event and accompanying that event,
g) the types of permits enabling persons or vehicles to move in places excluded from public traffic,
h) the organisation of wireless communication between the organiser of the event and the Police during the event,
i) the manner of providing information about the road traffic restrictions resulting from the course of the event - before the event and during it,
j) the course of the route of the event and of the roads enabling access to the individual stages of the event, along which the passenger cars intended for sporting competitions taking part in the event will travel;
4) draw up the rules and the programme of the event;
5) establish with the Police and, if the event takes place in the border zone or on roads running through or adjacent to areas administered by organisational units subordinate to or supervised by the Minister of National Defence, with the Border Guard or the Military Police respectively, the dates of joint meetings organised in order to agree matters connected with securing the event;
6) ensure the implementation of the plan referred to in point 3;
7) agree with the road administrator the area of use of the road lane and the manner and date of restoring it to its previous condition;
7a) obtain the consent of the road administrator for the participation in the event of automotive vehicles fitted with tyres containing permanently embedded anti-skid elements;
8) notify public transport undertakings of the expected time of the obstructions to road traffic;
9) at the instruction of the authority managing traffic on the road, draw up a traffic organisation design in agreement with the Police;
10) provide precise information concerning the event, at the request of the Police or of the other entities listed in points 1, 2, 7 and 8, as well as of the voivode competent for the place where the event is held, if that information is necessary for the performance of their tasks in order to ensure safety and public order;
11) make public information about the obstructions to traffic resulting from the planned event.
4. Safety and order during events are ensured by the Police, except that if the event takes place in the border zone or is held on roads running through or adjacent to areas administered by organisational units subordinate to or supervised by the Minister of National Defence, in cooperation with the Border Guard, the Military Police or the military order authorities respectively:
1) while the event is being prepared - by drawing up its own plan for securing the event;
2) during the event:
a) by posting traffic direction points and traffic blocks,
b) by escorting, where necessary, the passage or the march of the participants in the event,
c) by organising the diversions resulting from the event held on the road;
3) after the event has ended - by restoring the smooth flow of traffic on the road.
Art. 65b.
1. The permit referred to in Art. 65 is issued, by way of an administrative decision, at the written request of the organiser of the event, hereinafter referred to as the "application", submitted at least 30 days before the planned date of its commencement, by the authority managing traffic on the road on which the event is held, except that if the event is held on roads subordinate to several authorities, the competent authority is:
1) in the case of roads of different categories - the authority managing traffic on the road of the higher category;
2) in the case of roads of the same category - the authority competent for the place where the event begins.
2. The organiser of the event shall send, within the time limit specified in para. 1, a copy of the application together with the required documents to:
1) the voivodeship police commander competent for the place where the event begins, and also
2) the commander of the Border Guard division - if the event is held in the border zone, or
3) the commander of the Military Police unit - if the event is held on roads running through or adjacent to areas administered by organisational units subordinate to or supervised by the Minister of National Defence.
3. The application should contain in particular:
1) the first name, surname or name and the address of residence or registered office of the organiser of the event;
2) the type and name of the event;
3) information about the place and date of the commencement, the course and the end of the event;
4) information about the expected number of participants in the event;
5) a list of the persons representing the organiser in matters concerning the securing of the route or the place of the event in the area of the individual voivodeships;
6) the signature of the organiser or of the organiser's representative.
4. The following shall be attached to the application:
1) detailed rules of the event, specifying in particular the rules of conduct of the participants in the event that are relevant to road traffic safety;
2) a list of the persons responsible for the proper course and the securing of the event in the area of the individual voivodeships and in the places where each section begins and ends, as well as in the places requiring special securing;
3) the programme of the event with a detailed description of the route and an indication of the distances between its individual sections, and the schedule, specified in minutes and kilometres, of the passage or the march of the participants through the individual localities and across the voivodeship boundaries;
4) the plan for securing the route or the place specified in Art. 65a(3) point 3;
5) an undertaking by the organiser to restore to its previous condition the road lane along the route of the passage, the march or the place where the participants in the event stay, and, in the event of damage to the road lane or to road devices resulting from the event - to repair them without delay or to cover the costs of those repairs;
6) the written consent of the owner of the forest to holding the event, where it is held in forest areas.
5. The authority referred to in para. 1 issues the permit after:
1) obtaining the opinion of the voivodeship police commander competent for the place of the event, and in the case of an event held on roads in the border zone or on roads running through or adjacent to areas administered by organisational units subordinate to or supervised by the Minister of National Defence - of the competent commander of the Border Guard division or the commander of the Military Police unit respectively; the opinion is delivered to the authority which requested it within 14 days from the date of the request;
2) agreeing the scope of the traffic restriction and the resulting conditions for holding the event with the authorities managing traffic on the roads on which the event is to take place.
Art. 65c.
The authority issuing the permit shall refuse to issue it:
1) if the organiser does not meet the conditions specified in Art. 65a(2) and (3);
2) if, despite the conditions specified in Art. 65a(2) and (3) being met:
a) there is a danger to human life or health or to property of great value,
b) the event endangers road traffic safety and it is not possible to organise diversions that would not cause a significant increase in the costs borne by road users.
Art. 65d.
1. The authority issuing the permit shall withdraw the permit issued where there is a danger to life or health or to property of great value.
2. The authority referred to in para. 1 may withdraw the permit where the event endangers road traffic safety.
3. The decision referred to in paras 1 and 2 is given the rigour of immediate enforceability.
Art. 65e.
The decision to issue or to refuse to issue a permit to hold an event is issued at least 7 days before the planned date of the commencement of the event.
Art. 65g.
The traffic enforcement authority may stop the event if:
1) its place, route or duration is not in accordance with the conditions specified in the permit;
2) there is a danger to human life or health or to property of great value;
3) its course creates a threat to road traffic safety.
Art. 65h.
1. The provisions of Art. 65-65g do not apply to processions, pilgrimages and other events of a religious nature which are held on roads on the terms specified in:
1) the Act of 17 May 1989 on the relationship between the State and the Catholic Church in the Republic of Poland (Dz. U. of 2023, item 1966);
2) the Act of 4 July 1991 on the relationship between the State and the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church (Dz. U. of 2023, item 544);
3) the Act of 30 June 1995 on the relationship between the State and the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Republic of Poland (Dz. U. of 2022, item 2616);
4) the Act of 30 June 1995 on the relationship between the State and the Baptist Christian Church in the Republic of Poland (Dz. U. of 2023, item 1874);
5) the Act of 30 June 1995 on the relationship between the State and the Evangelical- -Methodist Church in the Republic of Poland (Dz. U. of 2023, item 85);
6) the Act of 30 June 1995 on the relationship between the State and the Polish Catholic Church in the Republic of Poland (Dz. U. of 2023, item 51);
7) the Act of 20 February 1997 on the relationship between the State and the Old Catholic Mariavite Church in the Republic of Poland (Dz. U. of 2023, item 47);
8) the Act of 20 February 1997 on the relationship between the State and the Catholic Mariavite Church in the Republic of Poland (Dz. U. of 2023, item 8);
9) the Act of 20 February 1997 on the relationship between the State and the Pentecostal Church in the Republic of Poland (Dz. U. of 2015, item 13).
2. The provisions of Art. 65-65g also do not apply to funeral processions, which move along roads in accordance with local custom.
3. The provisions on the safety of mass events do not apply to the events referred to in Art. 65, with the exception of the provisions governing the organisation and the powers of the order services.
Art. 65i.
In matters not regulated in Art. 65-65h, the provisions of the Code of Administrative Procedure apply.
Art. 65j.
The provisions of Section 5 apply to the carriage of persons by tourist train, with the exception of the provisions of Art. 65a(2) points 2-5, 7-8, (3) points 3, 6-11 and (4), Art. 65b(4) point 4 and Art. 65h.
Art. 65ja.
A meeting of owners, holders or users of automotive vehicles in an open or generally accessible space, the purpose of which is to present more than 10 automotive vehicles, in particular the modifications made to them, requires prior notification of the municipal authority. The provisions of Chapter 2 of the Act of 24 July 2015 - Law on Assemblies (Dz. U. of 2022, item 1389) apply accordingly to the notification.
Art. 65l.
1. The conduct of research work on automated vehicles or fully automated vehicles in road traffic on public roads, hereinafter referred to as "research work", is possible provided that the road traffic rules are observed, that road traffic safety is ensured and that a permit to conduct research work is obtained.
2. Six levels of automation are established, specified in Annex No. 3 to the Act, including level "0" as the lowest level of automation and level "5" as the highest level of automation.
3. The permit referred to in para. 1 is not required where research work is conducted on automated vehicles with a level of automation lower than level "3" referred to in Annex No. 3 to the Act.
4. Automated vehicles or fully automated vehicles constitute research vehicles used exclusively for conducting research and development activity within the meaning of Art. 4a point 26 of the Act of 15 February 1992 on corporate income tax (Dz. U. of 2025, item 278, as amended) and are not subject to further resale.
5. The permit referred to in para. 1 is issued, against payment of a fee, by the National Research Work Coordinator, by way of an administrative decision, at the written request of the organiser of the research work.
6. The permit referred to in para. 1 specifies the conditions for conducting research work in areas situated in the territory of no more than five voivodeships.
7. The permit referred to in para. 1 is issued for a period of no more than 3 years. That period may be shortened while the permit is in force if the conditions specified in the permit, the purpose and scope of the research work and the hazard analysis and risk assessment referred to in para. 11 point 6 and para. 13 point 4 change. In the case referred to in the second sentence, the National Research Work Coordinator shall declare, by way of an administrative decision, that the permit has expired.
8. The permit referred to in para. 1 is subject to amendment against payment of a fee, at the written request of the organiser of the research work, by way of an administrative decision, as regards the data and information referred to in para. 11 points 4, 5 and 7 and the documents referred to in para. 13 points 1-3, whereby an amendment of the data referred to in para. 11 point 7 may also concern the replacement or the notification of an additional automated vehicle or fully automated vehicle on which the research work will be conducted. In the case of the replacement of vehicles or the notification of additional vehicles, not more than 7 in number, during the period of validity of the permit, the organiser of the research work shall provide the National Research Work Coordinator, no later than 7 days before the commencement of the research work involving those vehicles, with information about the number of the new vehicles and their data referred to in para. 11 point 7, and with the documents referred to in para. 14 points 1-9, without the need to submit an application for an amendment of the permit or to pay a fee. In such a case no administrative decision on the amendment of the permit is issued.
9. The National Research Work Coordinator carries out inspections of the research work as regards the compliance of the research work conducted with the permit issued.
10. The duties of the National Research Work Coordinator include:
1) issuing the permits referred to in para. 1 and administrative decisions declaring the expiry of such a permit, as well as administrative decisions refusing to issue, amending, withdrawing or suspending such a permit;
2) keeping a register of the permits referred to in para. 1, in electronic form, containing:
a) the first name and surname or the business name of the organiser of the research work,
b) the period for which the permit was issued,
c) the area of the research work,
d) the purpose and scope of the research work;
3) making public, by publication on the website of the National Research Work Coordinator, information about the permits issued and about the periods of the research work conducted, and about the area, the location and the roads on which the research work will be conducted;
4) monitoring the research work as regards its compliance with the conditions specified in the permit;
5) keeping a register of the reports submitted by the organisers of the research work;
6) keeping a register of the events referred to in Art. 65n(1) point 4;
7) examining whether the declaration on the conduct of internal simulation tests and physical trials on closed roads or test tracks corresponds to the facts;
8) assessing the hazard analysis and the risk assessment carried out that are referred to in para. 13 point 4 and para. 14 point 4, including as regards their completeness and their adequacy to the scope of the planned research work;
9) cooperating, as regards supervision of the conduct of research work, with foreign entities responsible for supervising research work in other countries;
10) drawing up and submitting, by 31 January of the following year, to the minister responsible for transport an annual statement of the research work for the previous year, including cross-border research work, containing the name of the organiser of the research work, the periods in which the research work was carried out and the area, location and roads on which the research work for which permits were issued was conducted;
11) administering the data collected in connection with the issuing of the permits referred to in para. 1 and acting as the controller of the personal data processed in connection with the issuing of those permits;
12) processing the personal data of the organiser of the research work referred to in point 2 letter a, of the person representing the organiser of the research work referred to in para. 11 point 1 or para. 12 point 2, and of the owner of the automated vehicle or fully automated vehicle on which the research work is being conducted, referred to in para. 11 point 2 or para. 12 point 3, and deleting those data after 5 years from the date on which the permit referred to in para. 1 ceased to be valid, or from the date of issue of the administrative decision declaring the expiry of the permit or of the administrative decision refusing to issue, amending, withdrawing or suspending that permit, with the exception of cases initiated and not concluded by a final ruling.
11. The application referred to in para. 5 shall contain:
1) the first name and surname or the business name, the REGON identification number or the PESEL number, and in the case of a person who does not have a PESEL number - the series, number and name of the document confirming identity and the name of the state which issued that document, as well as the address of residence or the address for electronic service or the address of the registered office or branch of the organiser of the research work, and the first name and surname and the address of residence or the address for electronic service of the person representing the organiser of the research work;
2) the first name and surname or the business name, the REGON identification number or the PESEL number, and in the case of a person who does not have a PESEL number - the series, number and name of the document confirming identity and the name of the state which issued that document, as well as the address of residence or the address for electronic service or the address of the registered office or branch of the owner of the automated vehicle or fully automated vehicle on which the research work is being conducted;
3) information about the period for which the permit to conduct research work is to be issued;
4) information about the planned area in which the research work is to be conducted, its location and the roads on which the automated vehicle or the fully automated vehicle will travel, subject to the proviso that the area in which the research work is conducted may cover a maximum of five voivodeships;
5) a description of the manner of managing the research work and of the organiser's responsibility, or a description of the planned amendment of the permit in those respects;
6) the purpose and scope of the research work;
7) the data of the automated vehicle or of the fully automated vehicle on which the research work will be conducted, and in the case of an application for an amendment of the permit - the data of the replacement or additional automated vehicle or fully automated vehicle on which the research work will be conducted:
a) the registration number, excluding the professional registration number,
b) the number and date of the decision on the professional registration of the vehicle,
c) the VIN number of the vehicle,
d) information on the fulfilment of the conditions specified in Art. 66(1) and (4) points 1-4,
e) the declared level of automation of the vehicle, consistent with the levels specified in Annex No. 3 to the Act;
8) the signature of the organiser of the research work or of the person representing the organiser.
12. The application for an amendment of the permit referred to in para. 8 shall contain:
1) the number and date of the permit to conduct research work to which the application for the amendment of that permit relates;
2) the first name and surname or the business name, the REGON identification number or the PESEL number, and in the case of a person who does not have a PESEL number - the series, number and name of the document confirming identity and the name of the state which issued that document, as well as the address of residence or the address for electronic service or the address of the registered office or branch of the organiser of the research work, and the first name and surname and the address of residence or the address for electronic service of the person representing the organiser of the research work;
3) the first name and surname or the business name, the REGON identification number or the PESEL number, and in the case of a person who does not have a PESEL number - the series, number and name of the document confirming identity and the name of the state which issued that document, as well as the address of residence or the address for electronic service or the address of the registered office or branch of the owner of the automated vehicle or fully automated vehicle on which the research work is being conducted;
4) information about the planned amendment of the permit as regards that area, its location and the roads on which the automated vehicle or the fully automated vehicle will travel, subject to the proviso that the area in which the research work is conducted may cover a maximum of five voivodeships;
5) a description of the planned change in the manner of managing the research work and in the organiser's responsibility;
6) the data of the replacement or additional automated vehicle or fully automated vehicle on which the research work will be conducted:
a) the registration number, excluding the professional registration number,
b) the number and date of the decision on the professional registration of the vehicle,
c) the VIN number of the vehicle,
d) information on the fulfilment of the conditions specified in Art. 66(1) and (4) points 1-4,
e) the declared level of automation of the vehicle, consistent with the levels specified in Annex No. 3 to the Act;
7) information about the scope of the changes resulting from the documents referred to in para. 13 points 1-3, in so far as the application concerns those changes.
13. The following shall be attached to the application referred to in para. 5:
1) a document confirming the conclusion of a motor third party liability insurance contract for holders of motor vehicles, concerning the automated vehicle or fully automated vehicle on which the research work is being conducted, covering damage arising in connection with the movement of that vehicle;
2) a declaration that the premium for the insurance referred to in point 1 has been paid;
3) in the case of vehicles registered in another Member State of the European Union - a copy of the registration certificate;
4) a hazard analysis and an assessment of the risk connected with the hazards, drawn up in accordance with the international standard ISO 26262 concerning the functional safety of electrical or electronic systems installed in road vehicles;
5) a declaration by the organiser of the research work confirming that the research work will not cause a threat to road traffic safety or a serious disturbance of road traffic;
6) a declaration by the applicant, submitted subject to criminal liability for making false statements, that each of the automated vehicles or fully automated vehicles on which the research work will be conducted meets the conditions specified in Art. 66(1) and (4) points 1-4 and that the applicant has a documented right to dispose of them, or an opinion of a motor vehicle expert referred to in Art. 79a, or of a technical service, confirming that the automated vehicle or fully automated vehicle concerned, on which the research work will be conducted, meets the conditions specified in Art. 66(1) and (4) points 1-4, together with a declaration that the applicant has a documented right to dispose of them;
7) a declaration by the applicant, submitted subject to criminal liability for making false statements, that the internal simulation tests and physical trials referred to in para. 10 point 7 have been carried out;
8) a declaration that the automated vehicle or fully automated vehicle on which the research work will be conducted is fitted with a recorder meeting the minimum technical requirements specified in the provisions issued pursuant to para. 25 point 3;
9) a copy of the decision granting a permit for a derogation from the technical conditions referred to in Art. 67(1), in so far as the replacement or additional automated vehicle or fully automated vehicle on which the research work is planned to be conducted was previously admitted to traffic on the basis of that decision;
10) proof of payment of the fee referred to in para. 5.
14. The following shall be attached to the application referred to in para. 8:
1) a document confirming the conclusion of a motor third party liability insurance contract for holders of motor vehicles, concerning the automated vehicle or fully automated vehicle on which the research work is being conducted, covering damage arising in connection with the movement of that vehicle - in so far as the application concerns a change in the scope of the data contained in those documents or the replacement or notification of an additional automated vehicle or fully automated vehicle on which the research work is planned to be conducted;
2) a declaration that the premium for the insurance referred to in point 1 has been paid - in so far as the application concerns a change in that respect;
3) in the case of vehicles registered in another Member State of the European Union - a copy of the registration certificate - in so far as the application concerns the replacement or notification of an additional automated vehicle or fully automated vehicle on which the research work is planned to be conducted;
4) a hazard analysis and an assessment of the risk connected with the hazards, drawn up in accordance with the international standard ISO 26262 concerning the functional safety of electrical or electronic systems installed in road vehicles - to the extent covered by the requested amendment;
5) a declaration by the organiser of the research work confirming that the research work will not cause a threat to road traffic safety or a serious disturbance of road traffic - to the extent covered by the requested amendment;
6) a declaration by the applicant, submitted subject to criminal liability for making false statements, that each of the automated vehicles or fully automated vehicles on which the research work will be conducted meets the conditions specified in Art. 66(1) and (4) points 1-4 and that the applicant has a documented right to dispose of them - in so far as the application concerns the replacement or notification of an additional automated vehicle or fully automated vehicle on which the research work is planned to be conducted, or an opinion of a motor vehicle expert referred to in Art. 79a, or of a technical service, confirming that the automated vehicle or fully automated vehicle concerned, on which the research work will be conducted, meets the conditions specified in Art. 66(1) and (4) points 1-4, together with a declaration that the applicant has a documented right to dispose of them - in so far as the application concerns the replacement or notification of an additional automated vehicle or fully automated vehicle on which the research work is planned to be conducted;
7) a declaration by the applicant, submitted subject to criminal liability for making false statements, that the internal simulation tests and physical trials referred to in para. 10 point 7 have been carried out - in so far as the application concerns the replacement or notification of an additional automated vehicle or fully automated vehicle on which the research work is planned to be conducted;
8) a declaration that the automated vehicle or fully automated vehicle on which the research work will be conducted is fitted with a recorder meeting the minimum technical requirements specified in the provisions issued pursuant to para. 25 point 3 - in so far as the application concerns the replacement or notification of an additional automated vehicle or fully automated vehicle on which the research work is planned to be conducted;
9) a copy of the decision granting a permit for a derogation from the technical conditions referred to in Art. 67(1), in so far as the automated vehicle or fully automated vehicle on which the research work will be conducted was previously admitted to traffic on the basis of that decision;
10) proof of payment of the fee referred to in para. 8.
15. A person submitting the declaration referred to in para. 13 point 6 or para. 14 point 6 is obliged to include in it a clause reading as follows: "Aware of the criminal liability for making a false statement, arising from Art. 233 § 6 of the Criminal Code, I declare that each of the automated vehicles or fully automated vehicles on which the research work will be conducted meets the conditions specified in Art. 66(1) and (4) points 1- 4 of the Act of 20 June 1997 - Road Traffic Law, and that I have a documented right to dispose of those vehicles.". That clause replaces the authority's instruction on criminal liability for making false statements.
16. A person submitting the declaration referred to in para. 13 point 7 or para. 14 point 7 is obliged to include in it a clause reading as follows: "Aware of the criminal liability for making a false statement, arising from Art. 233 § 6 of the Criminal Code, I declare that internal simulation tests and physical trials on closed roads or test tracks have been carried out for each of the automated vehicles or fully automated vehicles on which the research work will be conducted.". That clause replaces the authority's instruction on criminal liability for making false statements.
17. The National Research Work Coordinator shall without delay inform of the issue of the permit referred to in para. 1 and of the notification by the organiser of the research work of the replacement of vehicles or the notification of new vehicles, during the period of validity of the permit referred to in para. 1:
1) the voivodeship police commander competent for the area of the planned research work;
2) the voivodeship commander of the State Fire Service competent for the area of the planned research work;
3) the authority managing traffic on the road, as regards the conduct of the research work and the organisation of traffic on the roads on which the research work is planned.
18. The tasks of the National Research Work Coordinator are performed by the Director of the Motor Transport Institute.
19. The minister responsible for transport supervises the activity of the National Research Work Coordinator.
20. The fee for issuing the permit referred to in para. 1, or the fee for amending that permit, is paid into a separate bank account of the Motor Transport Institute, subject to the proviso that the commission constituting:
1) 10 % of those fees is transferred to the budget of the voivodeship - competent by reason of the longest combined section of voivodeship roads,
2) 10 % of those fees is transferred to the budget of the county - competent by reason of the longest combined section of county roads,
3) 10 % of those fees is transferred to the budget of the municipality - competent by reason of the longest combined section of municipal roads - on which the research work specified in that permit is conducted.
21. The fees referred to in para. 20 constitute revenue of the Motor Transport Institute, and the commission referred to in para. 20 constitutes income of the competent local government unit.
22. If the permit referred to in para. 1 does not cover roads of a given road category as referred to in para. 20, the commission appropriate to that road category is divided in equal parts among the remaining road categories.
23. The maximum rate of the fee for:
1) issuing the permit referred to in para. 1 is:
a) 20 000 zł - in the case of an application for the issue of that permit covering areas situated in the territory of one voivodeship,
b) 40 000 zł - in the case of an application for the issue of that permit covering areas situated in the territory of two to five voivodeships;
2) amending the permit referred to in para. 1 is 5000 zł.
24. In the event of a refusal to issue the permit referred to in para. 1 or to amend that permit, the National Research Work Coordinator shall, ex officio, within 30 days from the day on which the decision on the refusal became final, refund 70 % of the fee for issuing the permit or for amending the permit.
25. The minister responsible for transport, guided by the need to obtain uniform information necessary for issuing the permit referred to in para. 1 and by the need to ensure access to uniform information about the reliability of the functioning of automated vehicles and fully automated vehicles, about the manner in which those vehicles travel on roads, about the manner of controlling those vehicles and about road traffic safety, shall determine, by way of a regulation:
1) the templates of the applications referred to in paras 5 and 8;
2) the template of the report referred to in Art. 65n(1) point 5;
3) the minimum technical requirements for the electronic recorder referred to in Art. 65n(1) point 1, and the manner and format of making data available for the purposes of recording images from the front, the rear and the interior of the automated vehicle or fully automated vehicle on which the research work will be conducted, and sound from the interior of those vehicles.
26. The minister responsible for transport shall determine, by way of a regulation, the amount of the fees for:
1) issuing the permit referred to in para. 1 for the individual areas referred to in para. 23 point 1, taking into account the size of the area and the period for which the permit will be issued and the number of automated vehicles or fully automated vehicles on which the research work will be conducted and which are indicated in the permit, having regard to the level of automation of those vehicles and to the workload and the costs of issuing the permit;
2) amending the permit referred to in para. 1, having regard to the workload involved in examining the application for that amendment and to the costs of amending that permit.
Art. 65m.
1. The National Coordinator of Research Work shall, by way of an administrative decision, refuse to issue or amend the authorisation referred to in Art. 65l(1) if:
1) the organiser of the research work:
a) has not stated in the application referred to in Art. 65l(5) or (8) the data and information referred to in Art. 65l(11) or (12),
b) has not attached to the application referred to in Art. 65l(5) or (8) the documents referred to in Art. 65l(13) or (14);
2) despite the submission of the declaration referred to in Art. 65l(13) point 5 or (14) point 5, it finds that the research work will constitute a danger to road traffic safety or a serious disruption of road traffic.
2. The National Coordinator of Research Work shall, at every stage of the research work:
1) withdraw, by way of an administrative decision, the authorisation referred to in Art. 65l(1) if:
a) the organiser of the research work stated untrue information in the application referred to in Art. 65l(5) or (8),
b) the research work is carried out contrary to the conditions of that authorisation or contrary to the hazard analysis and risk assessment referred to in Art. 65l(13) point 4 or (14) point 4,
c) in the course of the research work carried out, an incident or a road occurrence was revealed which constituted a danger to human life or health or to property of great value, and which occurred as a result of circumstances that the organiser of the research work influenced or consented to;
2) suspend, by way of an administrative decision, the authorisation referred to in Art. 65l(1), with the period of validity of the authorisation being extended by the duration of the suspension, where:
a) as a result of gross negligence on the part of the organiser of the research work an incident or a road occurrence took place and the further conduct of the research work may constitute a danger to human life or health or to property - until that danger ceases to exist,
b) the organiser of the research work failed to notify a change in the data and information referred to in Art. 65l(11) and (12) and failed to update the documents referred to in Art. 65l(13) and (14) within 14 days of the day on which those changes occurred - until that obligation is fulfilled,
c) after the expiry of the third-party liability insurance contract of motor vehicle holders referred to in Art. 65n(4), the organiser of the research work has not produced an insurance policy for a further insurance period for the automated vehicle or the fully automated vehicle on which the research work is being carried out, covering damage arising in connection with the movement of that vehicle, until a new insurance contract is produced.
3. The National Coordinator of Research Work:
1) shall carry out an inspection of the research work being conducted, at least once during the period of validity of the authorisation referred to in Art. 65l(1), as regards its compliance with the conditions set out in the authorisation and with the hazard analysis and risk assessment referred to in Art. 65l(13) point 4 or (14) point 4;
2) may appoint an observer to monitor the research work being conducted, subject to the obligation to inform the organiser of the research work of such an intention at least 3 days before the planned day of participation in that work, stating the observer's forename and surname, and to ensure the observer's independence, impartiality and freedom from any conflict of interests.
4. The observer referred to in para. 3 point 2 is obliged to carry out the activities connected with monitoring the research work being conducted in a manner that does not disrupt the course of the research work and that also takes into account the need to protect the intellectual property and business secrets of the organiser of the research work or of other entities.
5. The organiser of the research work is obliged to allow the observer referred to in para. 3 point 2 to take part in the research work being conducted.
6. The National Coordinator of Research Work may suspend, by way of an administrative decision, the authorisation referred to in Art. 65l(1) where the organiser of the research work prevents the observer referred to in para. 3 point 2 from taking part in the research work, or does not submit to the inspection referred to in para. 3 point 1, until the observer's participation is made possible or the inspection is submitted to, except in the case of a justified break in the conduct of the research work. The period of validity of the authorisation is extended by the duration of the suspension.
7. The higher-instance authority within the meaning of the Code of Administrative Procedure in the matters referred to in paras. 1, 2 and 6 and in Art. 65l(1), (5), (7), (8) and (10) point 1 is the minister responsible for transport.
8. The National Coordinator of Research Work and the persons designated to handle matters relating to the issuing of the authorisations referred to in Art. 65l(1) and administrative decisions declaring the expiry of such an authorisation, as well as administrative decisions refusing to issue, amending, withdrawing or suspending such an authorisation, and to the performance of the other duties of the National Coordinator of Research Work referred to in Art. 65l(10) points 2-12, and to handling matters relating to the inspection of the research work being conducted referred to in para. 3 point 1 and to acting as the observer referred to in para. 3 point 2, are obliged to:
1) maintain the confidentiality of the data made available to them in the course of administrative proceedings, the performance of the tasks and duties of the National Coordinator of Research Work, and the handling of matters relating to the inspection of research work and the monitoring of such work, as well as of data obtained in connection with those activities and after their completion;
2) refrain from:
a) acting as members of the bodies of commercial companies or as attorneys of entrepreneurs who are organisers of research work,
b) conducting research work on automated vehicles or fully automated vehicles on public roads in Poland within the meaning of this Act, as regards the authorisations issued for the conduct of research work,
c) being a shareholder or a partner in a commercial company or a party to a civil-law partnership agreement carrying out the activity referred to in letter a,
d) directly holding shares or interests in the commercial companies of the organiser of the research work,
e) performing gainful work under a contract of employment, a contract of mandate, a contract for specific work or another contract of a similar nature concluded with the entities referred to in letters a, c and d.
9. The National Coordinator of Research Work and the persons referred to in para. 8 shall submit a declaration concerning the obligations set out in para. 8, hereinafter referred to as the "declaration of confidentiality and of freedom from conflict of interests".
10. The declaration of confidentiality and of freedom from conflict of interests is submitted subject to criminal liability for making false declarations under Art. 233 § 6 of the Act of 6 June 1997 - the Criminal Code. The person submitting the declaration of confidentiality and of freedom from conflict of interests is obliged to include in it a clause worded as follows: "Being aware of the criminal liability for making a false declaration arising from Art. 233 § 6 of the Criminal Code, I declare that I shall maintain the confidentiality of all data and information obtained in the performance of the tasks and duties referred to in Art. 65l(10) and Art. 65m(3) points 1 and 2 of the Act - Road Traffic Law, as well as of data and information obtained in connection with those activities and after their completion, and that I shall not use such data and information for purposes other than those specified in the above provisions of the Act, and also that I have no conflict of interests in this respect and, in particular, that I do not conduct research work on automated vehicles or fully automated vehicles on public roads in Poland within the meaning of the Act - Road Traffic Law, that I am not a member of the bodies of commercial companies or an attorney of entrepreneurs who are organisers of research work, that I am not a shareholder or a partner in a commercial company or a party to a civil-law partnership agreement carrying out an activity within the framework of research work on automated vehicles or fully automated vehicles, that I do not directly hold shares or interests in commercial companies carrying out an activity within the framework of research work on automated vehicles or fully automated vehicles, and that I do not perform gainful work under a contract of employment, a contract of mandate, a contract for specific work or another contract of a similar nature concluded with the entities referred to in Art. 65m(8) point 2 letters a, c and d of the Act - Road Traffic Law.". That clause replaces the authority's instruction on criminal liability for making false declarations.
11. The declaration of confidentiality and of freedom from conflict of interests is submitted:
1) to the minister responsible for transport - by the National Coordinator of Research Work;
2) to the National Coordinator of Research Work - by the persons obliged to submit the declaration referred to in para. 8.
12. The declaration of confidentiality and of freedom from conflict of interests is submitted:
1) before the conclusion of a contract of employment, a change of post or the conclusion of a civil-law contract;
2) annually, by 15 January, as at 31 December of the preceding year;
3) within 14 days of the day on which information about the circumstances referred to in para. 8 is obtained.
13. Breach of the obligations referred to in paras. 8-12 constitutes grounds for refusing to establish an employment relationship, for terminating the employment relationship without notice through the fault of the employee, for refusing to conclude or for terminating a contract of mandate, a contract for specific work or another contract of a similar nature, and for dismissal from the post of the National Coordinator of Research Work.
14. The declarations of confidentiality and of freedom from conflict of interests are assessed by the competent authority referred to in para. 11 point 1 or 2 as regards the possibility of a conflict arising in the course of the administrative proceedings being conducted or of the planned inspection or monitoring of the research work. Where a conflict of interests or a breach of the obligation of confidentiality is found, the person referred to in para. 8 is excluded from the administrative proceedings and does not take part in carrying out the inspection or in monitoring the research work.
15. The Director of the Motor Transport Institute shall, within the framework of the activities conducted, ensure that the data and information obtained in the performance of the tasks and duties referred to in para. 3 points 1 and 2 and in Art. 65l(10), as well as data and information obtained in connection with those activities and after their completion, are kept confidential, and that such data and information are not used by the Motor Transport Institute within the framework of the activities conducted or for purposes other than those specified in the Act.
16. Where the Motor Transport Institute has suffered damage as a result of a breach of the obligations referred to in para. 8, it may claim compensation for that damage from the persons who breached those obligations, on the terms laid down in the provisions of Division Five, Chapter I of the Act of 26 June 1974 - the Labour Code (Dz. U. of 2025, items 277, 807, 1423 and 1661).
Art. 65n.
1. The organiser of the research work is obliged to:
1) equip the automated vehicle or the fully automated vehicle on which the research work is being carried out with an electronic recorder that records and stores the image from the front, from the rear and from the interior of the vehicle, as well as the sound from the interior of the vehicle;
2) conduct internal simulation tests and physical trials on closed roads or test tracks;
3) record the presence of a driver who has control, or who may at any time take over control, of the automated vehicle or the fully automated vehicle on which the research work is being carried out;
4) record occurrences in which an accident involving the automated vehicle or the fully automated vehicle took place, store the records of that recording for a period of 12 months from the date of the occurrence, and also transmit those records to the National Coordinator of Research Work, together with a description of the circumstances and an indication of the time and place of the occurrence;
5) transmit to the National Coordinator of Research Work a report on the research work carried out, in accordance with the model laid down in the provisions issued on the basis of Art. 65l(25) point 2, within 30 days of the day on which the research work was completed or the authorisation referred to in Art. 65l(1) expired, bearing in mind that the organiser of the research work is not obliged to disclose in the content of the report information constituting its own business secrets or those of other entities;
6) ensure that:
a) during the conduct of the research work, a person holding an entitlement to drive a vehicle appropriate to the category of the automated vehicle or the fully automated vehicle is present in that vehicle, who has control or may at any time take over control of that vehicle and who is regarded as the driver,
b) the automated vehicle or the fully automated vehicle and their systems subject to the research work have an appropriate level of cybersecurity,
c) the automated vehicle and the fully automated vehicle, and all systems and prototypes of the vehicle, as well as other systems or prototypes on which the research work is being carried out, are protected against unauthorised access, in particular access via the Internet;
7) take cyberthreats into account in risk management;
8) notify the National Coordinator of Research Work in writing, in paper or electronic form, of the commencement and completion of the research work, respectively not later than 7 days before the commencement or completion of the research work;
9) notify the National Coordinator of Research Work who granted the authorisation referred to in Art. 65l(1), in writing, in paper or electronic form, of changes in the data and information stated in the application referred to in Art. 65l(11), and update the documents accompanying the application referred to in Art. 65l(13);
10) apply to the National Coordinator of Research Work for an amendment of the authorisation referred to in Art. 65l(1), together with the required documents, depending on the scope of the change, if the changes referred to in point 9 cover the data and information referred to in Art. 65l(11) points 4, 5 and 7, or will require an update of the documents accompanying the application referred to in Art. 65l(13) points 1-3, subject to the second sentence of Art. 65l(8).
2. The report referred to in para. 1 point 5 shall contain, in particular:
1) the forename and surname or the business name of the organiser of the research work;
2) the dates of commencement and completion of the research work;
3) a description of the automated and fully automated systems and functions in the automated vehicle or the fully automated vehicle on which the research work was carried out, taking into account the protection of information constituting the business secrets of the organiser of the research work or of other entities;
4) the purpose and scope of the research work;
5) a list of the documentation used or prepared during the research work;
6) a description of the course of the research work;
7) a description of the results of the research work;
8) a summary of the results of the research work;
9) information about the occurrence and the number of incidents and occurrences involving the automated vehicle or the fully automated vehicle on which the research work was carried out.
3. The holder of an automated vehicle or a fully automated vehicle is liable for personal injury or damage to property caused to anyone by the movement of such a vehicle, on the basis laid down in Art. 436 § 1 of the Act of 23 April 1964 - the Civil Code (Dz. U. of 2025, items 1071, 1172 and 1508). Art. 436 § 2 of the Act of 23 April 1964 - the Civil Code does not apply to the liability of the holder referred to in the first sentence, unless no fault can be attributed to any of the holders of the vehicles or the drivers of the vehicles that collided.
4. The holder of an automated vehicle or a fully automated vehicle is obliged to conclude a compulsory third-party liability insurance contract of motor vehicle holders covering damage arising in connection with the movement of the automated vehicle or the fully automated vehicle, referred to in Art. 4 point 1 of the Act of 22 May 2003 on compulsory insurance, the Insurance Guarantee Fund and the Polish Motor Insurers' Bureau (Dz. U. of 2025, item 367, as amended). The compulsory insurance contract referred to in the first sentence may also be concluded by the organiser of the research work.
Section 7 Admission to traffic of passenger cars intended for sports competitions 25) Division added by Art. 4 point 3 of the Act referred to in footnote 22; entered into force on 1 June 2024.
Art. 65o.
The provisions of this Section apply to passenger cars intended for sports competitions which, on the basis of separate provisions, have been entered in the register kept by the competent Polish sports association within the meaning of the provisions of the Act of 25 June 2010 on sport.
Art. 65p.
A passenger car intended for sports competitions is admitted to road traffic for the duration of events organised by the competent Polish sports association within the meaning of the provisions of the Act of 25 June 2010 on sport and by other competent sports associations organising events on the basis of the rules in force in the competent Polish sports association, on the designated access roads referred to in Art. 65a(3) point 3 letter j.
Art. 65q.
A passenger car intended for sports competitions is admitted to road traffic to the extent referred to in Art. 65p if:
1) it meets the technical conditions laid down by the competent Polish sports association on the basis of Art. 13(1) point 2 of the Act of 25 June 2010 on sport, published each time on that association's own website;
2) it has passed the examination as to compliance with the technical conditions specified in the provisions issued on the basis of Art. 81(17);
3) it has been temporarily registered on the basis of Art. 74(2ca);
4) its technical condition has been checked by the organiser of the event before the event begins.