Category B driving licence from the age of 17

From 3 March 2026, people who have turned 17 can obtain a category B driving licence. This does not, however, mean complete freedom to drive a car.

Until turning 18, a 17-year-old driver may drive a car only in Poland. For the first six months after obtaining the licence, but no longer than until turning 18, they must drive accompanied by an experienced driver seated in the front passenger seat.

The accompanying driver must be at least 25 years old, have held a category B driving licence continuously for at least five years and must not be subject to a driving ban. They must also not be under the influence of alcohol or substances with similar effects.

Importantly, a 17-year-old can begin training before reaching adulthood. The minimum age for starting the course has been set at 16 years and 9 months.

The end of freedom for newly qualified drivers

From 3 September, people who obtain a category B driving licence for the first time are subject to a mandatory probationary period.

For a driver who obtains their licence after turning 18, the probationary period lasts two years.

For someone who obtains a driving licence at the age of 17, the probationary period lasts three years, but no longer than until they turn 20.

The probationary period is counted from the moment the driving entitlement is obtained, not from the day the plastic document is collected.

0.0 blood alcohol level for beginners

New drivers during the probationary period must completely abstain from alcohol before driving.

The regulations set a limit of 0.0 per mille of alcohol. The same rule applies to substances with effects similar to alcohol.

This means that a novice driver cannot invoke the rule on the permissible alcohol concentration applicable to other drivers.

12 penalty points may mean additional training

The new regulations also introduce special rules concerning penalty points during the probationary period.

If a novice driver exceeds 12 penalty points, they will have to complete practical training on road-traffic hazards. The training is conducted by a driving-technique improvement centre, and the driver has one year to complete it.

Even more serious consequences apply to exceeding 20 penalty points in the first year after obtaining a driving licence. In such a situation, the starosta may revoke the entitlement.

The probationary period may be extended

A novice driver may also receive additional time under special supervision.

The probationary period may be extended by a further two years if, during that period, the driver commits certain serious offences against road safety.

This includes, among other things, causing a safety hazard, driving under the influence of alcohol, failing to give way to a pedestrian or violating right-of-way rules.

Driving 50 km/h too fast can also cost you your licence outside built-up areas

One important change has been in force since 3 March. A driving licence may be seized for exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 km/h also on a two-way single-carriageway road outside a built-up area. Previously, such a severe sanction was associated primarily with speeding in built-up areas.

This is a particularly important change for drivers travelling on national and voivodeship roads.

Driving despite a suspended licence may result in losing driving entitlement for five years

From 3 September, the consequences of driving despite a decision to suspend a driving licence for three months have also been tightened.

If a driver continues to drive despite such a suspension, their entitlement may be revoked for five years.

More changes also affect two-wheeled vehicle users

The reform also covers cyclists and scooter users.

From 3 June, people under the age of 16 are required to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle, a bicycle with a motor, an electric scooter or a personal transport device. The requirement also covers children up to the age of 7 who are transported, among other places, on a bicycle or in a bicycle trailer.

The minimum age for a child riding an electric scooter or personal transport device on the road has also been raised from 10 to 13.

Changes also affect professional drivers

From 3 September, some age requirements for drivers carrying out domestic passenger transport have also been lowered.

In certain cases, it will be possible to become a bus driver earlier than before, provided that additional requirements concerning initial qualification and the type of transport are met. For example, an 18-year-old may operate regular bus services in Poland on routes no longer than 50 km.

What should a driver know?

The most important changes can be summed up briefly:

  • a category B driving licence can be obtained from the age of 17,
  • until turning 18, a 17-year-old may drive only in Poland,
  • for the first six months, an experienced driver must sit in the front passenger seat,
  • new drivers are subject to a probationary period—two years, and three years for 17-year-olds or until they turn 20,
  • a 0.0 blood alcohol limit applies during the probationary period,
  • 12 points may mean mandatory training,
  • 20 points in the first year may mean revocation of the entitlement,
  • the probationary period may be extended by two years,
  • exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 km/h may result in losing a driving licence outside built-up areas as well, on a two-way single-carriageway road,
  • driving despite a three-month licence suspension may result in revocation of the entitlement for five years.

The new regulations mean that obtaining a driving licence is only the beginning for a young driver of a several-year period during which their conduct on the road will be subject to additional restrictions and consequences.