Transport > Europe > Car travel > Driving in Poland
Driving in Poland
The minimum age of a driver is 17 years. Children under 10 years of age must be in a safety seat to sit in the front. The use of seat belts is compulsory for front-seat passengers. The legal blood alcohol limit is 20 mg. Speed limits are as follows: 60km/h (37 mph) in built-up areas, 90km/h (56 mph) outside built-up areas, 130km/h (81 mph) on motorways, and 70km/h (44 mph) for cars with a caravan or trailer travelling outside built-up areas or on motorways. The minimum speed limit on expressways is 40km/h (24 mph). Apart from built-up areas there are residential zones-marked by entry/exit signs-where the speed limit is 20km/h (12 mph).
There are large numbers of horse-drawn wagons carrying agricultural products on the public roads during harvest periods. Unlit horse-drawn wagons are a particular hazard.
Motorcycles outside built-up areas must be operated with headlights on-night and day. Between 1 November and 1 March, all vehicles must use headlights both night and day.
Use of horns is illegal in built-up areas. Use your vehicle's headlights to warn of your intention to pass. However, when passing in poor visibility you must use your vehicle's horn to give warning.
Trams may be passed on the right; but when a tram stops and there is no island to accept disembarking passengers, drivers must yield to the passengers who cross to the sidewalk.
Police are empowered to collect fines of between zl 50,000 and 500,000 on the spot; they must issue a receipt.
Parking
If parked in darkness on an unlighted street, a vehicle's parking lights must be on. Vehicles weighing less than 2.5 tonnes (2500 kg) can park with one set of wheels on the sidewalk as long as a path remains for pedestrians. Do not park within 5 metres of a pedestrian crossing.
Licences
EC format pink/green licence is accepted; old-style green or non-European licence must be accompanied with an International Driving Permit.
Fuel
Most fuel stations now stay open 24 hours. Regular leaded petrol has an octane rating of 94; the octane rating of super leaded is 98. Unleaded petrol is called benzyna bezolowiowa. Regular unleaded petrol has an octane rating of 95; the octane rating of super unleaded is 98. A high proportion of fuel stations along highways sell LPG.
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