Poland rebuilt its passenger transport market over the past two years. "Arrive, sign up in the app, start driving" no longer works: requirements tightened on 17 June 2024, and the transitional period for drivers already working ended on 17 June 2025.
In short: you need a Polish or EU driving licence, a licence to carry passengers, medical and psychological clearance, a criminal record certificate, and in-person identity verification in the app.
The headline change: Polish or EU licences only
A driver carrying passengers in a car must hold a driving licence issued in Poland or another EU or EEA state. Ukrainian, Belarusian, Georgian, Turkish and other national licences do not qualify for this work, regardless of whether they remain valid for ordinary driving.
That single requirement removed a large share of drivers from the market in 2025.
Exchanging a licence is a separate procedure and, for many countries, includes a theory or practical exam at a WORD test centre. We covered deadlines and documents in detail, and the PKK profile and exam here.
The general rule applies too: living in Poland for more than 185 days a year makes the exchange mandatory regardless of driving work.
What else the driver needs
| Requirement | Issued by | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Category B licence, Polish or EU | WORD, district office | at least three years' experience |
| Medical examination | occupational health doctor | for professional drivers |
| Psychological examination | transport psychologist | mandatory since 2024 |
| Criminal record certificate | KRK | for a defined range of offences |
| Legal residence with the right to work | wojewoda | residence card, UKR status and others |
| Identity verification | the app operator | in person, with documents |
The vetted offences cover intentional crimes against life and health, sexual freedom and decency, traffic safety, property, economic transactions and the reliability of documents, plus fiscal offences. A foreigner also needs a certificate from their country of citizenship with a sworn translation - how to obtain one.
The licences: which one and for whom
This is where confusion usually starts, because there are two.
A national road transport licence for carrying passengers by car, issued by the district authority. It belongs to the entrepreneur - whoever runs the business. Indicative fees: around PLN 700 for 2-15 years, PLN 800 for 15-30 years, PLN 900 for 30-50 years. Each vehicle gets an extract from the licence.
A taxi licence, issued by the municipality, covers taxi work with a meter and markings. Cheaper - roughly PLN 200-300 depending on the term.
App-based work usually runs on the first licence. Alongside it you need:
- the right to use the vehicle - ownership, leasing or a contract;
- the entrepreneur's criminal record certificate;
- no arrears at ZUS or the tax office - how to confirm;
- carrier liability insurance.
Two routes for a foreigner
Route 1: your own business with a licence. You register the activity, hold the licence in your own name and work directly with the app operator. More freedom and higher income, but all the administration is yours: social security, tax, reporting, the licence itself.
The constraint: sole trader status is not open to every foreigner - a qualifying residence title is needed. The available grounds.
Route 2: working for a licensed partner. A fleet or partner company holds the licence and you work on a civil-law or employment contract. Less administration, less income, but available without the right to run a business.
Verify the partner: a valid licence and a correct contract form. Working for an unlicensed operator is a risk for the driver too, not only the company.
Liability and penalties
Carrying passengers without a licence attracts an administrative penalty on the entrepreneur, reaching several thousand zloty. The driver is separately liable for missing documents during a road transport inspection or police check.
Checks in the app market have become routine, and operators are required to verify driver documents and block accounts where they do not match.
What we do
- Exchanging your licence for a Polish one, including exam preparation and WORD booking: licence exchange.
- Registering the business with the right activity codes.
- Obtaining the licence from the district or municipal authority.
- Criminal record certificates - Polish and from your country of citizenship, with translation: criminal record certificates.
- Reviewing the fleet or partner contract before you sign.
The full workflow sits on the service page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive for Bolt on a Ukrainian licence? Not for carrying passengers. A licence issued in Poland or another EU or EEA state is required.
How long does the exchange take? Three weeks to several months, depending on the issuing country and whether an exam applies. Start early rather than in the week you plan to begin work.
Do I need a licence if I work for a fleet? The licence belongs to whoever runs the business. Working under contract with a licensed partner, you do not obtain your own, but the driver requirements still apply to you.
How long are the medical checks valid? Medical and psychological clearances have defined validity periods, and renewing them is the driver's responsibility.
Can I drive a rented car? Yes, with documentation proving your right to use it and subject to the operator's requirements on vehicle age and class.
Does driving work count as grounds for a residence card? Not on its own, but it can support one either as employment with a Polish employer or as running a business. The structure needs planning in advance.
The entry barrier to Poland's passenger transport market has risen, and for a foreigner the licence is the main obstacle. Everything else takes two or three weeks; exchanging a driving licence can take months - so start there.
Tell us which licence you hold and your residence status - we will map the steps and calculate the timeline.
This material is informational. Operator and authority requirements vary - consult a lawyer about your situation.