In case of violation of the traffic code (parking in a wrong manner), the municipal guards have the right to fine a driver with a parking ticket and penalty points.
A driver with a resident status has the right to refuse accepting the ticket. However, in this case, the case is directed to a court and in case of loosing the lawsuit, apart from getting the ticket and penalty points, the driver has to cover the costs of the judicial proceedings.
ATTENTION! There is a regulation concerning Polish traffic that prescribes that the dipped headlights must be turned on while driving, at all times. Moreover, drivers, as well as passengers, are obliged to have their seatbelts on. Children under the age of 13, of less than 150 cm (approximately 5 feet) height, must travel in special safety seats.
Leaving the place of an accident, whether on foot or by car, is, according to the Polish law, considered fleeing the scene and is severely punished!
For a traffic offence, except traffic tickets, a driver is fined with penalty points. If the number of points a driver was fined with, throughout a year from the moment of obtaining the Polish driving licence, exceeds 20, he/she will have to retake the driving licence course. If a driver has a driving licence for more than a year, and the number of penalty points he was fined with exceeds 24, he/she will need to take an exam again (theoretical and practical test).
The complete current scale of penalty points
Once in six months, drivers who are close to getting 24 penalty points, can undergo a training course in Regional Road Traffic Centre, after which six of their penalty points are being count out.
Detailed information concerning the traffic ticket payments and the amounts of penalty points given for particular violations can be found on the following websites:
kodeks-drogowy.zaufaj.com
Foreigners who do not have the permanent residence card, are obliged to pay for the tickets in cash. If one does not have enough money at the moment, the car can be hauled away to the police parking lot.
People who are residents cannot pay for the ticket with cash. They can only pay via bank transfer or money order within 7 days from the date of receiving the ticket.
ATTENTION! Trying to bribe a policeman or a municipal guard often ends with a court case and is punishable by up to ten years’ imprisonment.
A driver has to carry with him and show to the policeman when asked: a driving licence, vehicle registration document and a proof of payment for OC insurance.
Required car equipage:
- fire extinguisher (under guarantee and with a seal of approval), not lighter than 1 kg (2,2 pounds)
- a warning triangle, best if it has a certification of approval, which ensures that it is of appropriate size
- On some snow-capped mountain roads, tire chains should be put on
first-aid kit is not required but it is better if one has it in the car, for safety reasons
