Poland tightens driving regulations in 2026 with expanded license revocation rules for speeding outside cities, EU GSR2 Phase 3 mandatory safety systems for new cars, stricter penalty point reduction limits, and new helmet requirements for young e-scooter riders.
Safety Rules
Effective July 7, 2026
Before
Basic drowsiness warning only
Since July 2024, new cars required basic ADAS including AEB, ISA, and lane-keeping; drowsiness warning based on driving patterns
After (2026)
Camera-based distraction monitoring
All new cars sold in Poland must have Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW) with camera to detect phone use, looking away, or other distractions
As an EU member, Poland adopts GSR2 Phase 3 from July 2026. Your new car will have a camera watching you drive - it detects phone use, eating, or looking away from the road. AEB, ISA, and lane-keeping were already mandatory from July 2024.
Penalties & Fines
Effective January 1, 2026
Before
Revocation in built-up areas only
License revoked only for exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h in built-up areas
After (2026)
Revocation on all roads
License revoked for exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h on single-carriageway roads outside built-up areas as well
Previously you could only lose your license for exceeding the limit by 50 km/h inside cities. Now this rule applies on roads outside built-up areas too. On a 90 km/h road, driving at 140 km/h means losing your license.
Penalties & Fines
Effective January 1, 2026
Before
Limited OPP sections
Sectional speed measurement (odcinkowy pomiar prędkości) on selected road sections only
After (2026)
OPP expanded to motorways and expressways
CANARD/GITD expanding average speed cameras to major motorways and expressways; braking before a single camera no longer helps
Poland's CANARD system is expanding sectional speed measurement to motorways and expressways. These cameras calculate your average speed over a stretch of road, so braking before a camera is pointless. The only way to avoid a fine is to drive within the limit for the entire section.
Penalties & Fines
Effective January 1, 2026
Before
Frequent point reduction possible
Drivers could attend point reduction courses without significant restrictions
After (2026)
Maximum once per 6 months
Point reduction courses limited to once every 6 months; only available for minor violations; new drivers in first year cannot use them at all
You can no longer reduce penalty points as often as before. Courses are limited to once every 6 months, and only for less serious violations. New drivers in their first year cannot reduce points at all - drive carefully from day one.
Vehicle Equipment
Effective January 1, 2026
Before
No helmet requirement
No helmet requirement for e-scooter riders of any age
After (2026)
Helmet mandatory under 16
Riders under 16 must wear a helmet on e-scooters, bicycles, and personal electric transport devices; PLN 100 fine for guardian if violated
Children under 16 must now wear helmets when riding e-scooters, bicycles, or other personal electric devices. The fine of PLN 100 is imposed on the guardian, not the child. E-scooters remain limited to 20 km/h on all public roads.
Yes. From 2026, exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h on single-carriageway roads outside built-up areas results in license revocation, just like in cities. Previously this rule only applied within built-up areas.
From 2026, you can attend a penalty point reduction course no more than once every 6 months, and only for minor violations. New drivers in their first year of driving cannot use point reduction courses at all.
Yes. From 2026, riders under 16 must wear a helmet when using e-scooters, bicycles, or personal electric transport devices. The fine of PLN 100 is imposed on the child's guardian. E-scooters remain limited to 20 km/h.
From July 7, 2026, all new cars must have Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW) - camera-based monitoring that detects phone use or looking away from the road. This is EU GSR2 Phase 3. Basic systems like AEB, ISA, and lane-keeping were already mandatory from July 2024.
All rule changes are sourced from official government transport agencies and legal publications. AutoviaTest is an independent educational platform and is not affiliated with any government agency. Rules may be subject to change before their effective dates.
Information last verified: February 1, 2026
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