Poland is nearing the completion of legislative work aimed at facilitating research and development of automated vehicles. The new regulations respond directly to demands from industry stakeholders, who have long stressed the urgent need to reform the legal framework for testing autonomous vehicles. Under the current rules, the sector faces serious limitations—evidenced by the extremely low number of permits granted for testing such vehicles.
According to the report “Towards Autonomous Transport in Poland – Market, Challenges, and Opportunities” published by the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers (ZPP), fully autonomous vehicles—capable of driving without human input—represent a breakthrough in road transport. By combining advanced driver assistance systems with vehicle-to-everything (V2X) connectivity, these vehicles can detect road conditions, communicate with infrastructure and other vehicles, and avoid hazards. The development of this technology promises safer, more accessible, and more comfortable travel.
Legislative Reform to Unblock Innovation
Accelerating the shift toward autonomous transport requires updated legal tools that support the safe rollout of new technologies on public roads. According to industry voices, existing Polish regulations are overly restrictive, hindering innovation. Research institutions and companies developing next-gen automotive systems have cited the lack of test access on public roads as a key obstacle to growth.
In response, the Polish Ministry of Infrastructure is finalizing an amendment to the Road Traffic Act. This amendment specifically addresses legal gaps related to the testing and deployment of automated and autonomous vehicles on public roads.
“The reform aims to make it faster and easier to obtain permits for autonomous vehicle testing while ensuring that safety is not compromised. The new law also introduces a legal definition of a fully automated vehicle aligned with EU regulations,” said Dr. Renata Rychter, Director of the Department of Road Transport at the Ministry of Infrastructure, during the AV-Poland 2025 event organized by the Motor Transport Institute.
Key Provisions in the Draft Legislation
The legislative proposal introduces several key changes:
- A broader definition of autonomous vehicles, allowing tests regardless of automation level.
- A requirement for off-public-road tests before public road testing can begin.
- Certification that a vehicle has been tested on a closed track.
- Mandatory liability insurance for each vehicle undergoing tests.
“Organizers will be required to insure each test vehicle and obtain specialized insurance for the R&D activities themselves. If the tests are conducted in violation of the permit or without a permit, penalties may apply, including suspension or revocation of the permit,” explains Rychter.
The Ministry states that once adopted, Poland’s regulatory framework will align with the highest safety standards in Europe. The goal is to encourage flexibility and innovation, while increasing transparency for companies testing automated and autonomous vehicles.
Industry Concerns: Red Tape and Rising Costs
Despite the Ministry’s optimism, several industry organizations, including SDCM and PSNM, have raised concerns that the legislation may in fact stifle innovation. Critics argue that:
- The new requirements add bureaucratic complexity and costs, such as:
- Detailed route planning for each test
- Extensive reporting that could compromise business confidentiality
- The need to file a new application and pay fees for each vehicle model added to a test permit
- Approval for road testing requires positive opinions from three separate authorities, with no appeal mechanism, potentially making the process rigid and inefficient.
ZPP’s report also warns that overly complex rules may push companies to conduct tests abroad, where legal systems are more transparent and test procedures more straightforward—especially in countries like Germany and the Czech Republic, which are already ahead of Poland in this domain.
A Final Push Before Government Approval
“I have high hopes that these new rules will finally position Poland as a leader in autonomous vehicle research. We already have capable companies ready to act—we just need the legislative push,” says Rychter.
“The current process is too demanding and slow. Our reform will speed things up, including through the introduction of a ‘tacit approval’ mechanism during one of the review stages.”
The draft legislation has passed through public consultations, interministerial coordination, and is now at the Standing Committee of the Council of Ministers. This is the final stage before it is sent to the Legislative Committee and ultimately to the Council of Ministers for a decision on submitting it to Parliament.
“We’re at the last mile of the process,” concludes Rychter.
Source:
[AV-Poland 2025 & Ministry of Infrastructure – via Newseria Business]
Report: ZPP – Towards Autonomous Transport in Poland
