The amendment to the regulations, already published in the Journal of Laws in May, tightens the assessment criteria for the practical driving exam, making it significantly harder to pass. The most important change is a new error table—each of the infractions listed in it will result in immediate termination of the exam, regardless of the circumstances.
Among the violations that will now lead to automatic disqualification are: exceeding the speed limit by more than 20 km/h, crossing a solid double line, making a U-turn where it is prohibited, failing to check whether it is safe to overtake, or not ensuring safety before entering a railway or tram crossing. Until recently, such mistakes were not considered serious.
How are candidates tested in other countries?
In Germany, practical driving exams last between 45 and 55 minutes. Before the drive begins, the examiner may ask the candidate to perform simple technical checks, such as verifying that the lights or brakes work.
The driving portion includes navigating both urban and rural roads, as well as performing standard maneuvers like parking, turning around, or changing lanes. Examiners primarily assess the smoothness of driving, adherence to traffic rules, and overall safety. The German system focuses on real driving skills rather than rigidly ticking off procedural mistakes.
In France, preparing for the exam includes at least 20 hours of driving with an instructor, though it’s typically 30–40 hours. The test itself lasts around 30–32 minutes, with about 25 minutes spent driving in real traffic and the remainder on control tasks and safety knowledge checks.
During the exam, the candidate must perform at least two maneuvers, such as parking, reversing, or turning around, and must demonstrate smooth, safe driving, with proper use of mirrors and signaling. To pass, one must score at least 20 out of 31 points and avoid disqualifying errors like running a red light or ignoring stop signs.
In Italy, the candidate is assessed over at least 25 minutes and, similarly to Poland, the exam is conducted in vehicles with dual controls. Basic tasks include adjusting the seat and mirrors and checking the vehicle’s condition.
During the exam, at least two maneuvers—such as parking, turning, or reversing—must be performed. Candidates also drive in both urban and non-urban areas, demonstrating their ability to handle roundabouts, lane changes, and safe interaction with other road users. Examiners assess driving fluidity, rule compliance, and safety.
Although the intentions behind the new Polish regulations are justified—aiming to reduce reckless driving—some of the provisions appear overly harsh. The Ministry of Infrastructure had previously announced plans to ease the licensing process for young drivers, so it is possible that further regulations will be developed to reduce the stress experienced by examinees.