Vehicle inspection in Poland (2026)
Last reviewed: 7 November 2026
In short: A car has its first inspection within 3 years of registration, the next before 5 years and then at most every 2 years, then yearly. Licensed stations carry them out, and officers retain the registration document of a car not inspected in time.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| First inspection of a new carVehicle inspection | A passenger car must have its first periodic technical inspection before 3 years have passed from the date of first registration. For a car first registered abroad, the date of first registration abroad counts. [1] |
| Inspection intervalVehicle inspection | After the first inspection, a passenger car is inspected before 5 years from first registration and no later than 2 years after the previous inspection, then before one year has passed after each inspection. Some cars (such as taxis, gas-powered cars and cars used for learning to drive) are inspected every year. [1] |
| Who carries out the testVehicle inspection | Inspections are done at a vehicle inspection station (stacja kontroli pojazdów) by a licensed inspector (diagnosta) employed there. [1] |
| Penalty for an overdue testVehicle inspection | A police officer, border guard or customs officer must retain the registration document if the vehicle has not been inspected by the set date. [1] |
| Foreign cars visitingVehicle inspection | ⚠ Not yet verified |
Notes
- Art. 132 ust. 1a lets officers retain the registration document of a foreign-registered car that has not been inspected by the set date. Which foreign cars are bound by a Polish date was not confirmed.
Sources
- Sejm of the Republic of Poland (ELI API): Obwieszczenie Marszałka Sejmu Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej z dnia 21 czerwca 2024 r. w sprawie ogłoszenia jednolitego tekstu ustawy - Prawo o ruchu drogowym (Dz.U. 2024 poz. 1251) (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.