Changes regarding the deletion of penalty points, loss of driving license forever in some situations, tougher penalties for exceeding the speed limit by 50 kilometers per hour and enabling persons over 17 years of age to obtain a driving license – this is the project implemented by the Ministry of Infrastructure. An announcement on this matter was included in the government's list of legislative works.
Work on changes to the Road Traffic Law is gaining momentum. The announcement of the amendment was included in the list of legislative and program works of the Council of Ministers. The project is to be adopted by the government in the first quarter of 2025.
The change in regulations was announced in October by the head of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Dariusz Klimczak.
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Driving license suspended for speeding outside built-up areas
According to explanations posted on government websites, the new regulations are intended to enable temporary suspension of driving licenses for drivers who exceed the speed limit by 50 km/h on single-lane, two-way roads outside built-up areas. Currently, this is only possible in built-up areas.
The next change is about inability to delete penalty points in some cases.
“The proposed amendment assumes that it will not be possible to reduce penalty points for the most serious offenses, i.e. those most detrimental to road safety, as a result of training,” we read in the announcement. Currently, a licensed driver (except for people who have just obtained a driving license) can participate in training once every 6 months at their own expense, which reduces the number of penalty points.
The next modification is to enable this permanently suspended driving licensefor example if you drive a car while your driving license is temporarily suspended.
– We plan to introduce a provision that every driver who has had his driving license suspended, who will be stopped for inspection and will be banned, his driving license will be permanently suspended – said the head of MI, Dariusz Klimczak, in October in the Sejm.
He added that “according to today's regulations, it is possible to extend the suspension of driving licenses to six months and only the next time the driver does not comply (with the regulations – ed.) will the driving license be suspended.” – I believe that there should be no such warning signals. If someone breaks this ban, their driving license should be permanently suspended, he said.
Driving license from the age of 17
Another important modification will concern the possibility of obtaining a category B driving license for persons over 17 years of age. This is not a new regulation, but a return to the one that ceased to apply over 20 years ago. The possibility of obtaining a driving license in Poland at the age of 17 was valid until 2002. After the amendment, the age is 18 until now.
“The above regulations are aimed at increasing the mobility of young people, which will contribute to reducing the phenomenon of transport exclusion” – explain the authors of the project in the justification.
However, obtaining a driving license at the age of 17 is subject to several conditions. The first is the written consent of parents or guardians. In addition, a young driver who obtains a driving license will be able to drive a car until he or she turns 18 only accompanied by an experienced adult driver.
Additionally, it is stipulated that during the trial period the driver will not be able to:
1) consume alcohol or an alcohol-like substance; 2) exceed the speed of 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h outside built-up areas and 100 km/h on a motorway and dual carriageway expressway; 3) carry out passenger transport by taxi or as part of occasional transport.
Change in road law for farmers and foreigners
The draft amendment also assumes: changes for farmers. First of all, it is to enable them to drive agricultural tractors at a maximum speed of 40 km/h. Currently it is 30 km/h. “Currently, agricultural tractors are characterized by high active and passive safety parameters, which prevents road accidents and justifies the planned increase in the permissible speed of these vehicles,” we read in the justification for the project.
Moreover, the change in regulations is intended to enable foreigners living in Poland, apply for a Polish driving license before the expiry of 185 days of stay in the territory of the Republic of Poland.
“The so-called residence condition must be met on the day of collecting the driving license, and not on the day of submitting the application for a driving license,” we read in the justification.
Change for driver training centers and exams
The changes to the regulations will also apply to entrepreneurs running driver training centers, as well as to the examiners themselves.
The first one concerns reducing the restrictions placed on driving license examiners working in provincial road traffic centers and enabling them running a business.
Subsequently, the requirement to obtain accreditation from an education superintendent for an entrepreneur running a driver training center who applies for a certificate confirming compliance with additional requirements for a category A, B, C or D driving license or is the holder of such a certificate was removed.
The next change is intended to increase the safety of examiners by clarifying the regulation on interrupting the driving test, based on EU regulations. “Traffic errors or unsafe behavior directly affecting the safety of the test vehicle, its passengers or other road users is punished by failing the examregardless of whether the examiner or accompanying person has to intervene,” we read in the above-mentioned annex to the directive.
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