Updated: 11 September 2026 · Poland · Professional drivers and transport companies
A tacho card, chip card and tachograph driver card usually mean the same personal card used to record a driver's activity in a digital or smart tachograph. In Poland it is called a karta kierowcy. It is separate from Code 95, Driver CPC and the driver qualification card.
Who can apply for a Polish driver card?
The standard route is based on normal residence in Poland. Under EU rules, normal residence generally means where a person lives for at least 185 days per calendar year because of personal and occupational ties, subject to the detailed rules. Nationality alone does not decide the issuing country. Special temporary-card provisions are exceptional and are not a general alternative for everyone arriving for a course.
You may hold only one valid driver card. A card's validity cannot exceed five years. Do not assume that every foreign driver's Polish card automatically expires with a visa: the issuing authority must assess the applicable route. See Regulation (EU) No 165/2014, Articles 26–29.
How to apply through PWPW and Info-Car
PWPW is the Polish issuer. Use its Info-Car service to check the current application route. Select the correct reason: first issue, renewal, replacement or exchange. An application submitted with the wrong reason can delay your start date.
Prepare the documents for your case
- Your identification and driving licence details.
- A suitable photograph and signature specimen.
- A copy of a foreign driving licence, where required.
- The required normal-residence declaration and supporting evidence if requested.
- Your existing card number and any replacement, loss or theft documents relevant to the application.
- Proof of payment and a reliable delivery address.
The current PWPW application instructions explain the attachments. For foreign licences, PWPW recommends additional qualification or driver-attestation evidence to help verify the licence details. Follow the current instructions for your specific licence and application.
Official fee and timing in 2026
The linked PWPW instructions list an issuing fee of PLN 172.20 including VAT. Assistance, translation or other service charges are separate. Verify the fee before paying. A paid intermediary cannot guarantee approval or override the issuer's checks.
Allow time for verification, production and delivery. Do not promise an employer a first driving shift based only on the application date. Track the application through Info-Car and respond promptly if the issuer requests additional information.
Renewal and replacement: plan before expiry
Set a reminder well before expiry and check the current application window. If a card is lost, stolen, damaged or malfunctioning, follow the official replacement procedure immediately. The limited rules for driving without a card in exceptional circumstances do not create permission to start driving while waiting for a first card.
What changed for fleets in 2026?
From 1 July 2026, EU driving-time and tachograph rules also cover relevant international goods transport and cabotage with vehicle combinations over 2.5 tonnes. This brings additional light commercial vehicle drivers into scope, subject to exemptions. Review both the vehicle installation requirement and the driver's card before dispatch. See the European Commission tachograph guidance.
A smart tachograph retrofit and a driver card renewal are separate tasks. Fleet managers should check licence categories, Code 95 where applicable, card validity, vehicle equipment and the driver's ability to use manual entries correctly.
FAQ: tacho card and chip card in Poland
Is the chip card the same as Code 95?
No. The chip card records activity; Code 95 confirms professional qualification for the relevant driving work.
Can a transport company help with the application?
Yes, the application instructions provide for an employer applying with the employee's authorisation. The card remains personal to the driver.
Can I apply just because I am taking a course in Warsaw?
A training booking alone does not establish eligibility for a Polish driver card. Check your residence and documentary position first.
Get help planning your driver documents
For assistance with a tacho card application, chip card renewal or Code 95 / Driver CPC training in Poland, contact Amazonikk. Drivers and transport companies can discuss the required documents and current service terms.
Call +48 732 810 635.
Illustrative photo: an older digital tachograph, not a smart tachograph version 2. Elkawe / Wikimedia Commons, public domain.
