Driving in Poland

Driving conditions

Driving in Poland

Poland is a major route for heavy vehicles, but the lack of carriageways or big roads makes driving in the country hazardous.

Understanding and being familiar with how the roads work and what possible problems you could run into is important if you plan on driving through Poland.

Poland’s roads

The state of roads in Poland is generally good and there are more and more roads being built each year. However, the country still lacks many big motorways connecting the major cities. As Poland is a major route for heavy vehicles travelling across Europe, this can make driving on roads particularly dangerous. Road construction and works are constantly on the go throughout the country creating diversions and heavy traffic. There is a toll for using Poland’s motorways which is paid before getting on the road.

The main roads in the cities are often undergoing construction since they were poorly built and are not well-lit at night. Pedestrians and cyclists are required to wear reflective items at all times of day to avoid accidents. If you are involved in an accident with a pedestrian or cyclist not wearing a reflective item, they could be responsible for it.

Although obtaining a driving license in Poland is quite difficult, people drive carelessly and ignore road rules and regulations. As a foreigner you are advised to stick to the book and drive carefully, especially where the construction work is taking place.

There are two A-type roads that connect Poland from north to south and from east to west. As these are the only two roads that connect from point to point, congestion is a constant problem meaning drivers are advised to be very careful.

Toll gates

Toll gates in Poland are paid for per stretches, meaning that if you are travelling a shorter distance there is no need to pay for the whole stretch. At main toll gates, it is possible to pay with Polish złoty, USD or Euros. In major cities you may also pay with a credit card.

Fees vary depending on the size and weight of the vehicle. For passenger cars, the toll can be between 4.5 and 15 PLN per section.

Further reading

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