Poland traffic rules

Are you going on vacation to Poland? Then keep in mind that different traffic rules apply than in your country. We have listed the most important traffic rules. Among other things, those for traffic jams, mobile calls and the speed limit.

Traffic rules in general

Some important general traffic rules are mentioned here, including a number of traffic regulations that may deviate from your home country.

Drive safely

Driving under the influence

• The maximum permitted blood alcohol level is 0.2 per mille.
• It is prohibited to carry a person under the influence of alcohol as a passenger in the front of the car.
• Traces of drugs in the blood are not allowed.

Mobile phone

• Drivers of motor vehicles are prohibited from holding a mobile phone while driving.
• Hands-free calling is allowed.

Safe walking

• Pedestrians are required to walk on the left side of the road as much as possible if a pedestrian path is missing.
• Pedestrians walking along the road must walk behind each other. Only on quiet roads and when visibility is good, two pedestrians are allowed to walk next to each other.
• In early 2021, a law will enter into force that prohibits pedestrians from using a mobile phone while walking on, alongside or crossing a road. This prohibition also applies to pedestrian crossings.
• Anyone in Poland who walks outside the built-up area in the dark, in low light or in poor visibility, is obliged to wear a reflector, clothing with reflective stripes or a reflective safety vest.

Basic traffic rules

• You have to drive on the right and overtake on the left.

Priority

• At an intersection, you must give way to drivers coming from the right, unless otherwise indicated by traffic signs.
• A tram always has right of way at an intersection, even if it comes from the left.
• You must give right of way to the driver of a bus or tram who indicates that he wants to leave a stop.

Roundabout

• If you want to enter a roundabout, you must give way to drivers already on the roundabout when indicated by traffic signs.
• Sometimes the traffic signs that regulate the right of way are missing at one roundabout. In that case, drivers from the right have right of way, as at an ordinary equivalent intersection.

Merging

• Since December 2019, in Poland, merging is mandatory for slow-moving traffic when two lanes are merged. This means the following:
• In the canceled lane, drivers must keep driving in their own lane until just before the narrowing and only then merge.
• In the through lane, just before the narrowing, drivers must take turns giving one vehicle space to merge.
• If you don’t drive to the narrowing or don’t give way to inserting traffic, you could be fined.

Rescue lane at traffic jam

• In Poland you are obliged to keep a rescue strip (korytarz ratunkowy) in the middle clear for the emergency services in a traffic jam (as a result of an accident).
• This requirement applies on roads with at least two lanes in each direction of travel.
• Traffic in the left-most lane should turn left as much as possible and traffic in the other lanes should go as far to the right as possible.
• You may also use the emergency lane to form a rescue lane.
• If you do not cooperate in forming a rescue lane in a traffic jam, you can be fined.
• Note: It is forbidden for motorcyclists to drive on the rescue lane in Poland, as this is only allowed for priority vehicles.

Overtaking

• You have to overtake a moving tram on the right. On a one-way road, if there is insufficient space on the right, you may also overtake the tram on the left.
• You may only carefully pass a stationary tram if there is a traffic island for passengers. If there is no traffic island, you must stop so that passengers can cross safely.

Standing still

• It is forbidden to stop (or park) in places where your vehicle forms an obstacle to other traffic or endangers other traffic.
• Moreover, you may not leave your vehicle stationary in the following places, among others:
• Within 10 m of an intersection, tram level crossing, level crossing, pedestrian or bicycle crossing or road sign (if you block other road users from seeing the sign).
• Within 15 m of a tram or bus stop.
• On a bridge, under a viaduct or in a tunnel.
• In a narrow street with a solid white line in the middle if other road users have to cross the white line to pass your vehicle.
• Along a dashed white line along the side of the carriageway.

Parking

• In principle, drivers may only park their vehicle on the right side of the road. However, on one-way roads and traffic-calmed two-way roads, parking is also allowed on the left.
• If a vehicle is stationary for more than 1 minute, it is considered parking.
• Vehicles with a permissible maximum mass up to and including 3500 kg may park in their entirety (heavier vehicles with only two wheels) on the pavement, provided there is at least 1.50 m space left for pedestrians.
• Parking light is mandatory at night in unlit streets.
• Parking is prohibited in the following places:
• On a bridge or viaduct and in a tunnel.
• Within 10 m of an intersection, tram level crossing, level crossing, or a pedestrian or bicycle crossing.
• Within 15 m of a tram or bus stop.
• Along a road with an interrupted or continuous white line on the side.
• Parking meters are available in many Polish cities. In Warsaw, paid parking applies from Monday to Friday from 6 am to 6 pm.

Traffic lights

• If the traffic light is red, but a green, deflecting arrow is also displayed, you as a driver may only turn in the direction of the arrow if you have given way to pedestrians and other road users.

Audible tones

• In built-up areas, sounding signals are prohibited unless there is an immediate risk of a collision.

Environmental zones

• Kraków has established an environmental zone (strefa czystego transportu) in the city center in 2019. This zone is only accessible to hydrogen or electric vehicles. Exceptions to this rule and a map of the zone can be found at krakow.pl/aktualnosci/226585,29,komunikat,abc_strefy_czystego_transportu_na_kazimierzu.html.
• The start and end of the zone are indicated by road signs with the text Strefa (zone) above the image of a green car.

Here you will find more information about Poland.