Driving a car in other country than yours, can be confusing and it doesn’t matter that is Spain, Germany, Croatia or Poland. If you don’t know nothing about the regulations which apply in country, where you would like to driving – it could be really unpleasant!
In this article you will find some informations which can help you don’t get lost during driving in Poland.
1.Right-hand traffic
On each road in Poland you should keep your car near to the right site. Even if it is multi-lane road, dual carriage lane and other type of road. To this rule everybody should go with common sense, which means: when you are in situation, where you can use a few traffic lane – do it and use it! Try to occupy the lane suitable for the next turn. It is important to show your anticipation on the next maneuvers. If you stick to the left lane when it is not justified by the traffic situation – it is a mistake.
2. Priority rule for approaching from the right side
If the other car or some different vehicle approaching from the right then you have to wait. Why? Because he has the right of way and If road signs don’t indicate otherwise, you must keep in that way. In situation when the vehicles are opposite each other then that which one goes straight or turns right is given priority.
3. Hierarchy of signs, traffic signals and signals given by the authorized person
If you want driving in Poland you have to know the principle of hierarchy of signs, traffic signals and signals from authorized person. In the first place, you must follow the signals given by a police officer or other authorized person. Next in this hierarchy are traffic lights and the next one there are road signs.
4.Driving in Poland on highways and expressways
On highways in Poland there is a speed limit of 140 km/h. On the motorway it is forbidden to: reverse, turn back, stopping on a lane between lanes, entering a lane, stopping or stopping at a place other than this intended, towing, but towing can vehicles intended for this purpose but only the nearest departure or service area.
On the single expressway there is a speed limit of 100 km/h and on two-way expressway speed limit is 120 km/h. What’s more on the expressway it is forbidden to: reverse, stop on the lane between roadways, stop or stop at a different place than intended and turn but you can turn on places intended for this maneuver.
In an emergency on motorways or expressways, you have to pull over (of course if only you can) to the side of the road and properly mark the vehicle so as not to endanger other vehicles. You should turn on the warnings lights and spread on the warning triangle which should be set approx 100 m behind you car.
5. Driving after alcohol
Alcohol and driving are never a good idea. Even if you drink one beer or one small glass of wine. Alcohol can turn out your concentration and accumulation of alcohol which your exhaled to air will be greater than acceptable.
Difference between the state after using alcohol and the state of intoxication is:
Condition after using alcohol means that we have from 0.2 to 0.5 per cent of alcohol in our blood. When measured with an breathalyzer, the presence of alcohol in exhaled air is from 0.1 mg to 0.25 mg in 1 dm3.
The state of intoxication is when the alcohol content in blood exceeds 0.5 promille (or is higher). And the alcohol content in 1 dm3 of exhaled air exceeds 0.25 mg or has an even higher value.
In Poland it is allowed to drive a car if the breath alcohol concentration is less than 0.1 mg in 1 dm3. Remember that drinking in car is completely unacceptable!
6. Speed
Remember to drive with speed that will give you control over the vehicle. You should maintain a speed limit that ensures adequate distance from the vehicle which is in front of you – thanks that you can avoid collision during braking. When you drive take into of the conditions on the road like visibility, condition of the surfice, weather and others.
Below you find a graphic which presents speed limits in Poland:
7. Polish citizenship but what about driving licence?
If you thinking about get driving license in Poland but you don’t have polish citizenship – don’t worry! You can take a driving course and pass the driving exam in Poland. Before that check the circumstances which you have to fulfill:
Propreciate age
You want to pass exam on driving license on category B? If your answer sound “yes” your minimum age must be 18. You can start course for driving license three months before you reach 18 years but in this situation you need permission from your parents or guardians. If you thinking about other type of driving license below you can check a few examples appropriate age for it:
Category AM – you can start your driving license when your age is minimum 14 years
Category A1 – you can start your driving license when your age is minimum 16 years
Category A2 – you can start your driving license when your age is minimum 18 years
Category A – you can start your driving license when your age is minimum 24 years or 20 year but only if you have driving license A2 from minimum two years
Category B – you can start your driving license when your age is minimum 24 years or 20 year but only if you have driving license A2 from minimum two years
Category C – you can start your driving licence when your age is minimum 21 years but you must have a driving license for category B
Category D – you can start your driving licence when your age is minimum 24 years but you must have a driving license for category B
185 days
If you want to apply for a driving licence you have to live in Poland minimum 185 days in each calendar year. Furthermore you have to live here in view of you personal or occupational ties. You are a student? So it is enough if you present a document which confirm that you are studying for at least 6 months in Poland.
Pesel number
You need the pesel number. This kind of number you can get from the Town Council. To get it you have to be a resident of Poland for at least 3 months.
8.Things which you must have inside your car
In accordance with the provisions of Polish law, a fire extinguisher and a warning triangle must be in your car if you want driving in Poland. It is very important to remember that the extinguisher have to be in a place easily accessible and should be inspected at least once a year. The warning triangle must be placed in your vehicle too. It is good when these two things are placed side by side. Shortage of fire extinguisher or warning triangle can results in a mandate.
9.Seat belts
In Poland, as in most countries we have to use seat belts during driving.
Everybody knows that seat belts in cars are one of the most commonly used type of security. The most important reasons why we should use seat belts is their security, their duty, cheapness and simplicity of use. Remember to fasten your seat belts and it doesn’t matter if you plan some short or long ride. Thanks that you take care about security of yourself, passengers and other road traffic members. Furthermore if you driving in Poland without seatbelts you can get a mandate.
10. First aid-kit
In Poland there is no regulations which says that in the car we must have a first aid kit. Despite this first aid kit can be really useful for example during emergency and what is important is that in Poland is already due to help an accident or injured a person. That’s why a first aid kit should be in each car even if the regulations do not indicate it.
Driving in other country can be really nervous and irritate. If you want try to go on your holidays by car or you have to work like driver in other country – check what the regulations are apply there. Thanks to the informations which apply in other country you can feel safer and more secure on the road.