If you’ve ever wondered, „How old do I need to be to have a driving license in Poland?”, I’ve got your answer. As You know, to operate any motor vehicle in Poland that’s street-legal, you need a driving license. So, just how long can you relish this privilege, whether it’s for a passenger car, truck, tractor, or motorcycle?
Driving License in Poland – Categories
You need to know that securing a driving license in Poland isn’t as simple as walking into a store and buying candy. It involves medical checks, attending driving lessons, and passing state exams – all unavoidable hoops you have to jump through.
Moreover, age is also a crucial factor. The future driver’s age, or more specifically, the minimum limit, is a big deal. If you’re not old enough, regardless of the category you’re applying for, you won’t even be able to begin the process of acquiring your dream document.
But hold up, you might ask,
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How long does a 'bus’ driving license last? Will having a category B suffice?
Now, this isn’t straightforward, and it can perplex quite a few people. Let me tell you that in Poland, we’ve got 17 distinct driving license categories. I know it sounds a lot, but bear with me.
These categories dictate the age requirement for drivers. For some, the privilege starts as young as 14. But let’s be real, you’d need to wait for the majority of them – even until your 24th birthday.
So, if you want to find out the legal age for a moped, motorcycle, passenger car, truck, tractor, or any other vehicle license, I suggest you take a gander at the Act on Vehicle Drivers from January 5, 2011. This law text will provide specifics about the duration and requirements for each category.
Scooters, Light Quads, and Bikes – Categories AM, A1, A2, A
I think it’s worth saying that at 14, you’re already eligible to drive a moped and light quadricycle (under category AM). However, if you’re still under 18 and ready to take the tests, you need your parent or guardian to sign off on it.
Then comes category A1. I am convincefd that turning 16 is a milestone, and it means you can apply for a category A1 driving license. This lets you:
- Ride a motorcycle with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 125 cm3, a maximum power of 11 kW, and a power/unladen weight ratio of 0,1 kW/kg.
- Drive a motor tricycle with a power not exceeding 15 kW.
Remember, you still need that golden ticket – your parent or guardian’s written consent.
At 18, things get even more exciting! You can apply for a category A2 driving license. With this, you’re legally permitted to:
- Drive a motorcycle not exceeding 35 kW in power, a power/unladen weight ratio of 0,2 kW/kg. But hold on, this must not be a result of alterations to a vehicle that initially had twice the power.
- Operate a motor tricycle with power not exceeding 15 kW.
Want to know when you can get a motrcycle driving license? If you’ve held a category A2 for 2 years, it’s your turn at 20. If not, you’ll need to hold on until you hit 24.
Cars – Categories B1, B, B+E
Category B1 is for those who want to drive a four-wheeler. All you need is to be at least 16 years old and, like with categories AM and A1, you’ll need consent from a parent or guardian.
You might ask,
How long is a 'B’ category driving license valid in Poland and around the world?
In most places, including Poland, the right to drive a passenger car is for adults – 18-year-olds. Now, I believe this is important: with a category B driving license, Polish citizens can also legally drive an agricultural tractor and a slow-moving vehicle, even if it’s pulling a light trailer (weighing up to 750 kg).
Moreover, Poles who have held a category B driving license for at least 3 years are allowed to drive a motorcycle. Of course, there are limits: the engine displacement should be up to 125 cm3, power up to 11 kW, and a power-to-weight ratio of up to 0.1 kW / kg. Remember, this is only valid within the borders of Poland.
Trucks And Heavier Loads – Categories B+E, C1, C1+E, C, C+E
I believe, when you turn 18, you’re also allowed to drive a passenger car with a trailer (that’s category B + E), provided the weight doesn’t go above 3.5 t.
Getting a bit older, at 20, you can jump into the driver’s seat of smaller trucks. If it weighs between 3.5 t to 7.5 t (falling under category C1) or if you’re towing a trailer and not exceeding 12 t in total (that’s category C1 + E), you’re good to go.
Now, let me tell you about the big league. If you’re dreaming about driving a massive truck (under category C) that weighs more than 3.5 t (but it can’t be a bus) or if you fancy trucking with a trailer (category C + E), you’ll need to wait until you’re 21.
Busses and Trailers – Categories D1, D1+E, D, D+E
I think it’s worth mentioning that at 21, you can drive a small bus under category D1. These buses are at most 8 m long and can carry up to 17 people. The same age applies if you’re planning to drive a small bus with a trailer, categorized as D1 + E.
For those wanting to drive a full-sized bus (category D) or a bus with a trailer (category D+E), you’ll need to be at least 24.
Tractors, Trams, and Other Categories
If tractors and slow-moving vehicles are your things, let me say, you can drive them at 16 under category T. Just remember that if you’re under 18, you’ll need that written consent from a parent or guardian.
Interested in trams? I can tell that you need to be at least 21 and get the right permit.
Interesting Tidbit
I know an interesting fact you might like: In Poland, to be a tourist train driver, you need to have held a category T or B + E driving license for at least two years.
References:
- https://mubi.pl/poradniki/egzamin-na-prawo-jazdy-kat-b/
- https://www.prawo-jazdy-360.pl/test
- https://e-testynaprawojazdy.pl/kategoria-b/
