Laws and Tips

Essential Safety Equipment

• Warning triangle
• Headlamp converters
• GB plate (see note 1)
• Mud flaps fitted to the rear of the vehicle

Recommended Safety Equipment (by Poland and/or EUroadlegal.co.uk)

• Fire extinguisher
• First aid kit
• Reflective vest
• Spare bulbs (see note 2)
• Torch

Seatbelt Requirements
The wearing of front and rear seatbelts is compulsory when fitted.

Children Passengers
No children under 10 may occupy the front seat unless using an appropriate restraint.

Drink Driving Limits
20mg/100ml (UK 80mg/100ml)

Minimum Driving Age
The minimum driving age using a full UK licence is 18

Speed Limits

 

Urban kph (mph)

Open Road kph (mph)

Motorway kph (mph)

Car

60 (37)

90-110 (56-68)

130 (81)

Towing

60 (37)

80 (50)

80 (50)

Apart from built-up areas there are residential zones-marked by entry/exit signs-where the speed limit is 20 kph (12 mph).

Lights
From October to February dipped headlights must be used at all times.

When visibility is poor (fog, rain or generally in other adverse conditions) the driver must:

• switch on the sidelights or fog lights or both;
• give short horn signals outside built-up areas while passing or overtaking other vehicles;

Rear fog lights may be used if visibility is reduced to 50 m. These lights should be turned off as soon as visibility improves.

Fuel
On the highways, fuel stations are located roughly every 22miles/35km and are open from 6am to 10pm.

Tolls
In Poland there are two toll roads:

• The A2 between Wrzesnia and Konin
• The A4 between Katowice and Kraków

Parking
Small cars can park half-on and half-off the pavement. Parking is illegal within 5.5 metres of a pedestrian crossing

Fines
The police are empowered to issue on-the-spot fines.

Mobile Phones
The use of a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving is illegal, use of a hands free system is tolerated.

Emergency Numbers
Dial 112 anywhere in the EU to reach the emergency services.

Local numbers:
Police – 997
Fire – 998
Ambulance – 999

Other Useful Information
Traffic approaching from the right has priority.

Poland is a major east-west transit route for heavy vehicles. If you plan to hire a car, 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. Streetlights, even in major cities, are weak. Local driving standards are poor: speed limits, traffic lights and road signs are often ignored and drivers rarely indicate before manoeuvring. Horse drawn and slow moving agricultural vehicles are common in rural areas, even on main roads. If you can, avoid driving a right hand drive vehicle alone for long distances or to drive long distances at night.

Trams may be passed on the right; but when a tram stops and there is no island to accept disembarking passengers, drivers must give priority to passengers crossing to the pavement.

Useful Words and Phrases

Car Hire

Agencja wynajmu samochodow

Diesel

olej napędowy

Diversion

objazd

Embassy

ambasada

Entrance

wjazd

Exit

zjazd

Highway

droga glowna

Hospital

szpital

Motor Oil

olej silnikowy

Motorway

autostrada

No parking

zakaz parkowania

Parking

parking

Petrol station

stacja benzynowa

Police

policja

Police station

posterunek policji

Toll

oplata

Toll road

droga platna

Unleaded Petrol

benzyna bezolowiowa

Embassy Details
Address:
British Embassy
ul. Kawalerii 12
00-648 Warsaw
Poland