Truck and bus drivers: new training rules in Poland from 3 November 2026

From 3 November 2026 a new regulation on the training and examination of drivers performing road transport applies in Poland. It concerns people who drive trucks (driving licence categories C1, C1+E, C, C+E) and buses (D1, D1+E, D, D+E) professionally and need the initial qualification (kwalifikacja wstępna) and periodic training (szkolenie okresowe). We explain what changes for drivers and for the companies that employ them.

Where the change comes from

On 7 October 2026 the Minister of Infrastructure issued a new regulation on the training and examination of drivers performing road transport. It was published in the Journal of Laws on 19 October 2026 (Dz.U. 2026 poz. 1355) and enters into force on 3 November 2026. It replaces the previous regulation of 25 March 2022 (Dz.U. 2022 poz. 739, as amended).

Periodic training: up to 12 hours online

Periodic training lasts 35 hours and consists of five modules of 7 hours each (§ 13). The new rules allow up to 12 hours of classes to be held remotely, within two theoretical modules (§ 8(6)(2)). According to “Dziennik Gazeta Prawna”, until now 7 hours could be done remotely. The remaining classes take place at the training centre.

Other rules worth knowing:

• theory classes and exercises may last no more than 7 hours a day (§ 8(7)),
• one class hour is 60 minutes, including a break of up to 15 minutes (§ 8(8)),
• training may be held in a language other than Polish if this allows the programme to be delivered and the content to be understood (§ 8(9)).

Initial qualification: how much driving

The initial qualification lasts 280 hours, and the accelerated initial qualification (kwalifikacja wstępna przyspieszona) 140 hours (§ 11). The basic (theoretical) part of both courses may be held remotely (§ 8(6)(1)). The minimum individual driving is:

• initial qualification: at least 12 hours of driving in road traffic and 4 to 8 hours of driving in special conditions,
• accelerated initial qualification: at least 6 hours of driving in road traffic and 2 to 4 hours of driving in special conditions.

The regulation also states that the centre must train on vehicles matching the licence category of the given programme block (C or D).

Qualification test and documents

The fee for the qualification test remains PLN 50 (§ 45). The test lasts 45 minutes; to pass, you need at least 16 correct answers in the basic part and 5 in the specialist part. The test may be taken with a sworn translator (tłumacz przysięgły) who reads out the questions, but you answer yourself.

For training centres the paperwork changes: the class book must record, among other things, the number of kilometres driven and the vehicle registration number. Class books and records are kept for 5 years.

What about a course in progress and your current certificate

• Training started and not finished before 3 November continues under the new rules (§ 51).
• Certificates of professional competence (świadectwo kwalifikacji zawodowej) issued under the old rules remain valid for the period for which they were issued (§ 53(1)). You do not have to repeat the training just because the rules changed.
• Training centres have 6 months to adjust their training plans (§ 52).

What this means for you

If you are a driver (including from abroad):

• Check the expiry date of your świadectwo kwalifikacji zawodowej (driver qualification certificate) and plan your periodic training in advance.
• When signing up, ask the centre how many hours you can do online and whether it runs classes in a language you understand.
• If you start a course now, expect the new rules to apply to you.

If you are an employer:

• Review the periodic training deadlines of your drivers — a driver without a valid qualification should not perform road transport.
• Up to 12 hours of online classes in periodic training means fewer days a driver spends at the centre — take this into account in the schedule.

Legal basis: Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure of 7 October 2026 on the training and examination of drivers performing road transport (Dz.U. 2026 poz. 1355), § 8, 11, 13, 45, 51–54, issued under Article 39i(1) of the Act of 6 September 2001 on road transport (ustawa o transporcie drogowym). Legal status as of 29 October 2026 (entry into force 3 November 2026).