From September 10, big changes for drivers. You go to the office or face a fine of PLN 1,500

Before September 10, in order to get their driving license back, drivers had to go to the office and submit an application for the return of the suspended driving license. Only after completing the procedure could they get behind the wheel again. If they were unaware or neglected their duty, then in the event of a check, the police officer treated the offender as if he had no power. Effect? ​​The case is in court, and even there Fine of PLN 1,500 and driving ban. The Ombudsman himself had to rescue many drivers from these difficulties.

From 10 September 2024, automatic return of driving license

However, the Ministry of Digitalization announced that From September 10th it will be possible to automatically return a suspended driving license. This change in the regulations aims to eliminate the source of the problems and the need to submit applications.

– Deadline for implementation of enabling technical solutions automatic return of suspended driver’s license or a licence to drive a tram referred to in Art. Section 102 2b of the Act of 5 January 2011 on vehicle drivers, in the computer system supporting the central register of drivers, is determined from September 10, 2024 – announced the ministry. This was good news.

The police officer will just look at your driver’s license and you could get a fine of PLN 1,500

However, you must remember the situation in which the driver’s license validity period expiresbecause it was issued with a time limit (for example, due to visual impairment) or because the validity period of a specific category has expired. To avoid problems, it is worth checking the status of the “license” in the mObywatel application. Failure to comply with the obligation to appear at the office with a request for an exchange for a new form will be treated by the police officer as a lack of authorization. Consequences? The regulations clearly state:

• A person who drives a vehicle even though his driver’s license has expiredcommits an offence under Article 94 of the Minor Offences Code, namely, driving a vehicle without a driving licence. This crime is punishable by imprisonment, restriction of liberty or a fine, as well as a driving ban.
• Driving a motor vehicle on a public road, in a residential area or in a traffic zone without due authorization constitutes an offense provided for in art. 94 § 1º of the Petty Crimes Code. As a result of the amendment that came into effect on January 1, 2022, This crime is punishable by imprisonment, restriction of liberty or a fine of not less than PLN 1,500.

Over time, the above regulations will apply to all drivers. Even those with a valid driver’s license issued before 2013. How is this possible?

The driver’s license needs to be changed. Every driver is subject to these regulations

The amended law on drivers has adapted Polish regulations to EU requirements. Therefore, the driving license is currently issued from validity period up to 15 years. This applies to the following categories: AM, A1, A2, A, B1, B, B+E and T. If the medical certificate shows that, for example, the driver is visually impaired (case described above), then his driving license is marked with an appropriate code in box no. 12 and can be. valid for 5 years. In turn, the driving license of the category: C1, C1+E, C, C+E, D1, D1+E, D or D+E is issued for a period of up to 5 years, but not longer than the period of medical and psychological. certificate. The law also introduced the obligation to exchange documents.

– Each newly issued driver’s license document issued on or after January 19, 2013. contains the administrative validity period, according to the category of the driver’s license – said Dziennik.pl Anna Szumańska from the Ministry of Infrastructure. – The Drivers Act (Article 124) provides that driving licences issued before 19 January 2013 (indefinite call) will be subject to mandatory replacement in 2028-2033. Estimated number of documents subject to the replacement is approximately 15 million parts – she calculated.

According to the explanation given by the Ministry representative, the obligation to exchange the driving license is precisely described in Chapter 19 of the Law, Art. 124. In point 1 we can read:

• Holders of a driving licence issued before 18 January 2013 are obliged to exchange it for a driving licence according to the new model of driving licence specified in the regulations issued pursuant to art. 20 section 1 point 1. Driving licences according to the new model are issued from 19 January 2013.

This means that first-time drivers will have to exchange their driving license, which has been valid for 15 years. in January 2028. So in 4 years. But it doesn’t end there…

Indefinite driving license to be replaced. Who should go to the office and when?

In turn, a driving license for an indefinite period (marked with a line in box no. 11 – as per photo below) is subject to mandatory replacement from 2028 to 2033. This is also specified in the Drivers’ Act and in Art. 124. Point 4 sets the dates on which the driver must appear at the office:

• Driving licences issued up to 18 January 2013 are subject to exchange in the period from 19 January 2028 to 18 January 2033, on the dates indicated by the minister responsible for transport or on an earlier date at the request of the holder of the driving licence.

So after the exchange the new driving license will be valid for a maximum period of 15 years. Currently, the validity period of the driving licence is indicated in box 11 (on the back of the form). Previously, in the case of documents valid for an indefinite period, officials would put a line in this space.