Poland has tightened penalties for traffic violations
Poland has implemented sweeping changes to its traffic regulations, which significantly tighten penalties for drivers and introduce new safety requirements for other road users. The updated legislation aims to improve road discipline and reduce accident rates. The new regulations officially took effect on June 3, 2026.
The key reform concerns the penalty point system (punkty karne). From now on, drivers will no longer be able to reduce their accumulated points by taking special paid courses at Road Traffic Centers (WORD). For a number of serious offenses, this option has been completely eliminated. Penalty points for serious violations will be canceled automatically—exactly 12 months (one year) after they are assigned.
The new strict rules, which do not allow for early removal of points, apply to the following violations:
Exceeding the speed limit.
Running a red light.
Using a cell phone or other gadgets while driving without a hands-free system.
Dangerous passing maneuvers and ignoring lawful police orders to stop the vehicle.
Violating traffic rules and right-of-way at crosswalks.
Separately, penalties for significant speeding have been increased: if a driver exceeds the speed limit by more than 50 km/h, they will automatically receive the maximum 15 penalty points without any mitigating circumstances.
Mandatory helmets for minors
The new regulations also apply to users of light personal transportation. Authorities have introduced a mandatory requirement for children and adolescents under the age of 16 to wear protective helmets when riding:
Bicycles.
Electric scooters.
Other personal mobility devices (gyro scooters, monowheels, etc.).
The protective helmet must be certified to the European CE safety standard and comply with EN 1078. Parents or legal guardians of the child will be held responsible for ignoring this requirement—they face an administrative fine of 100 zlotys.
For the first time, Polish legislation has officially and clearly defined the terms “illegal street racing” and “drifting.” From now on, severe penalties are in place for organizing such events, participating in them, or creating dangerous situations by intentionally skidding a vehicle on public roads. Violators face heavy fines, and in some cases, other forms of serious legal liability, including the revocation of their driver’s license.
This is reported by vitrina.pl.
Speed violations caught on camera in Poland often do not result in penalties for foreign drivers. Over 96% of Ukrainian drivers who violate traffic rules on Polish roads avoid fines due to difficulties in collecting them from citizens of non-EU countries.
What drivers need to know in Poland: how traffic rules differ from those in Ukraine.
