In 2022, Poland carried out a major reform of its traffic fine schedule (taryfikator mandatów): base fines for road offences were significantly increased, in some cases several times over. These rates remain unchanged in 2026. Below is up-to-date information for anyone driving in Poland, including foreigners entering the country in their own car.

Cash fines for foreigners

Foreigners who don’t live in Poland permanently are required to pay fines in cash: a „mandat gotówkowy”: because Polish law doesn’t allow issuing a fine payable to a bank account („mandat kredytowany/kredytowy”) in their case. Bribery is out of the question: it carries a penalty of 6 months to 8 years in prison.

Speeding fines (current as of 2026)

After the 2022 reform, the speeding fine scale looks like this:

  • up to 10 km/h over: 50 zł;
  • 11-15 km/h over: 100 zł;
  • 16-20 km/h over: 200 zł;
  • 21-25 km/h over: 300 zł;
  • 26-30 km/h over: 400 zł;
  • 31-40 km/h over: 800 zł;
  • 41-50 km/h over: 1000 zł;
  • 51-60 km/h over: 1500 zł;
  • 61-70 km/h over: 2000 zł;
  • more than 70 km/h over: 2500 zł.

The maximum fine police can issue for a single offense is 5000 zł.

“Fine recidivism”: double the fine

Since September 2022, a “recidivism” rule has applied: if the same offense (e.g. speeding by 31 km/h or more) is repeated within 2 years, the fine is doubled. For example, a second offense of 31-40 km/h over the limit costs 1600 zł instead of 800 zł, and exceeding the limit by more than 70 km/h a second time costs the maximum 5000 zł.

Other common fines

  • not wearing a seatbelt (driver or passenger): 100 zł per person;
  • no child car seat: 300 zł;
  • driving without daytime running lights: 200 zł;
  • using a handheld phone while driving: 500 zł;
  • using a radar detector (device that detects speed cameras): around 500 zł, not 3000 zł as it used to be;
  • failing to yield to a pedestrian at a crossing: up to 1500 zł (3000 zł on repeat offense);
  • failing to yield to a cyclist: up to 1500 zł (3000 zł on repeat offense): a big jump from the 350 zł that applied before the 2022 reform.

Tinted car windows

The light-transmittance requirements haven’t changed: at least 75% for the windshield and no less than 70% for the two front side windows. A car with heavily tinted windows may simply be denied entry at the Polish border.

Speed cameras and radar detectors

Speed cameras (“fotoradary”) record the vehicle’s make and model, the exact time, location, and the speed recorded. Using a radar detector (a device that warns of nearby speed cameras) is illegal: as noted above, the fine is around 500 zł.

Parking in Poland

City centers in major Polish cities have paid parking zones. You can pay at a nearby parking meter or through a mobile app: today the most popular ones are moBILET, PayByPhone, and SkyCash. Leave the parking receipt visible on the windshield. For unpaid parking, the Municipal Police (Straż Miejska) will issue a fine: either leaving it under the wipers or mailing it to the address the car is registered to.

Pedestrians

Pedestrians have the right of way at crossings, but it’s safer to wait until the car has fully stopped before crossing. The fine for crossing on a red light is 100 zł, and for crossing outside a designated area it’s at least 100 zł.

Cyclists

Cycling infrastructure in Poland keeps improving, but where bike lanes are missing, cyclists sometimes ride on the sidewalk or cross using pedestrian crossings: this is also subject to fines.

If you’re planning to run a business in Poland as a JDG (sole proprietorship) and drive around the country often, knowing the current fine rates is just as useful as knowing the company registration rules.