From September 4, 2026, new rules apply to people who obtained a category B driving licence for the first time. They introduce, among other things, a probationary period, an absolute sobriety rule for drivers covered by this period, and additional restrictions for people under 18.

The date the driving licence was obtained is crucial

The new provisions on the probationary period apply to people who obtained a category B driving licence for the first time on September 4, 2026, or later.

The probationary period lasts:

  • 2 years – for a person who has reached the age of 18,
  • 3 years – for a person who obtained a category B driving licence after turning 17, but no longer than until they reach the age of 20.

This means that people who obtained category B before September 4, 2026, were not automatically covered by the new probationary period.

0.0 blood alcohol limit for drivers covered by the probationary period

One of the most important elements of the new regulations is the absolute sobriety rule for drivers in the probationary period.

Under the stated rules, driving is prohibited when the concentration exceeds:

  • 0.0‰ alcohol in the blood,
  • 0.0 mg of alcohol in 1 dm³ of exhaled air,
  • 0.0 ng/ml of a substance with effects similar to alcohol.

At the same time, the new provisions on the probationary period must be distinguished from the general rules applicable to other drivers.

Drivers who are not covered by the new probationary period remain subject to provisions under which driving is prohibited when the blood alcohol concentration is from 0.2‰, corresponding to alcohol in exhaled air from 0.1 mg per dm³.

The basic provisions concerning driving after consuming alcohol apply to all drivers, regardless of when they obtained their driving licence.

Additional rules for people under 18

The new regulations also introduce special rules for drivers under 18. These include restrictions on carrying passengers and performing certain types of transport.

For these drivers, the probationary period may last three years, but no longer than until they reach the age of 20.

What about people who obtained their driving licence earlier?

This is one of the most important issues arising from the new provisions.

People who obtained category B entitlement before September 4, 2026 are not covered retroactively by the new probationary period.

This means they are not subject to the new special requirement to maintain a 0.0 alcohol level provided for drivers in the probationary period. Nor are they covered by the new restrictions on drivers under 18 resulting from the new regulations.

They are also not required to complete practical training on road traffic hazards under the rules provided for people covered by the new probationary period.

Nor are they subject to the mechanism for extending the probationary period or imposing an additional probationary period under the new provisions.

A “young driver” can still lose their entitlement

However, not being covered by the new probationary period does not mean that people who obtained their driving licence before September 4, 2026, are exempt from all provisions concerning young drivers.

The regulations introduced by the Act of December 2, 2021, remain in force. Under these regulations, entitlement to drive motor vehicles is withdrawn when final rulings establish that, within two years of being issued their first driving licence or temporary electronic driving licence, the driver committed an offence against transport safety or three serious violations specified in the Act.

This includes certain violations related to road traffic safety.

One date that matters

In practice, the most important information for people wondering whether the new provisions apply to them is the date they first obtained a category B driving licence.

A category B driving licence obtained for the first time on or after September 4, 2026 means that the driver is covered by the new probationary-period rules.

A driving licence obtained before September 4, 2026 means that the new provisions on the probationary period do not apply retroactively to that driver.

Regardless of when they obtained their entitlement, all drivers must comply with the basic provisions of the Road Traffic Law and other road-safety regulations.

The changes form part of new regulations concerning beginner drivers, whose aim – according to communications about the new provisions – is to improve road safety.