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Poland |  |
Updated 09 May 2012 |
Poland Driving
Information
Poland is a major east-west transit route for heavy vehicles. If you
plan to drive your car there you should note that driving on Polish roads can be
hazardous. There are few dual carriageways and even main roads between
major towns and cities can be narrow and are often poorly surfaced.
Even when you are in major cities streetlights, even in major cities, are weak. Our researcher was looking for his Warsaw accommodation and one moment everything was brightly lit and he turned a corner and was plunged into darkness so you really must drive with your
headlights on at all times. If you can, you should avoid driving a
right-hand drive vehicle alone for long distances or driving long
distances at night. Local driving standards are poor: speed limits,
traffic lights and road signs are often ignored and drivers rarely
indicate before manoeuvring. Slow moving agricultural vehicles (and
horse dawn vehicles) are common in rural areas, even on main roads.
In 2008 there were 5, 437 road deaths in Poland. This equates to 14.3 road deaths per 100,000 of popultion and
compares to the UK average of 4.3 road deaths per 100,000 of population
in 2008.
According to EU law, driving licences issued by any EU member state
are mutually recognised in other EU member states. Article 94 of the
Act on Road Transport (Polish law) states that a foreigner who has a
valid driving licence issued by an EU Member State may drive in Poland.
If you are a resident of Poland and wish to change your driving licence
for a Polish licence you may do so but there is no requirement to do
so.
You must carry original vehicle-registration papers, ownership
documents and insurance papers at all times. This is a legal
requirement. They will be asked for if you are stopped by the police
and, in particular, when crossing borders. This also applies to rental
vehicles. If you do not have these papers when stopped by the police
they have the right to impound your vehicle and charge you for this.
There is a zero tolerance for drink driving in Poland. If you drive
and have been drinking (even 1 unit of alcohol) you can be charged. If
you break Polish Driving Regulations you should be prepared to pay on
the spot a fine in cash in Polish currency to the Police. Foreigners who
are settled in Poland and have a permanent address may be fined with a
credit ticket that can be paid later.
Seat belts must be used in both front and back seats.
Using a mobile phone while driving (unless “hands free”) is banned.
For General European driving tips click here