The Motor Transport Institute has officially become Poland’s National Coordinator for Research Activities, a state body responsible for supervising the testing and research of automated vehicles on public roads. The move creates Poland’s first comprehensive system for monitoring and harmonising research into automated and autonomous mobility, based on regulations adopted at the end of 2025.
Poland is steadily developing a framework intended to support the safe deployment of autonomous technologies. On June 24, when the amendment to the Road Traffic Act of November 21, 2025 entered into force, the National Coordinator for Research Activities was formally established.
The body is responsible for supervising tests involving automated and fully automated vehicles on public roads. The role is performed by the Director of the Motor Transport Institute under the supervision of the minister responsible for transport.
“National coordination of research activities is the foundation for the safe development of autonomous mobility in Poland,” said Professor Marcin Ślęzak, Director of the Motor Transport Institute. “Clear procedures and state oversight allow research to be conducted responsibly while supporting innovations that can genuinely improve transport safety and efficiency.”
Oversight of Level 3, 4 and 5 Automation
The amendment to the Road Traffic Act standardises the rules for conducting research involving vehicles with SAE automation levels 3, 4 and 5. These levels represent increasingly advanced stages of driving automation, ranging from systems that can operate conditionally without direct driver intervention to fully autonomous vehicles.
The National Coordinator for Research Activities will issue permits, maintain a public register, monitor compliance with regulations and cooperate with foreign supervisory bodies on cross-border projects.
In practice, the coordinator will verify whether research activity is being carried out in accordance with the permit issued. It may appoint observers, assess risk analyses and oversee safety procedures.
Any road incident involving a research vehicle must be immediately reported to the relevant authorities. The notification must also include audio and video recordings obtained from the entity conducting the research.
The permit application process is defined in detail by legislation and implementing regulations. Applicants must provide, among other requirements, a risk analysis consistent with ISO 26262, vehicles equipped with image and sound recording systems, a declaration that the research will not endanger road safety and payment of an administrative fee.
A permit may cover research in a maximum of five voivodeships and may remain valid for up to three years.
“Our goal is to ensure that the permit process is as transparent and applicant-friendly as possible,” said Aneta Gierszewska from the team supporting the National Coordinator for Research Activities. “We place particular emphasis on high-quality service and efficient administrative procedures while fully maintaining the standards required by law. The Code of Administrative Procedure clearly defines the timetable for reviewing applications.”
A National Contact Point for Cross-Border Projects
The new body will also have an international role. The National Coordinator for Research Activities will serve as Poland’s national contact point for foreign coordinators, enabling cross-border research in line with European regulations.
This is intended to allow Poland to participate in information exchange and coordinated supervision of research projects conducted simultaneously in more than one country.
“The new system will make autonomous vehicle testing more organised and professional,” said Dr. Eng. Mikołaj Kruszewski from the team supporting the National Coordinator for Research Activities. “This is not only an administrative role. It is a real tool for quality control, risk analysis and international cooperation. It will allow Polish companies and universities to conduct research at a level comparable with the largest centres in Europe.”
Potential Benefits for Safety and Mobility
Assigning the role of National Coordinator for Research Activities to the Motor Transport Institute forms part of a broader strategy to develop autonomous technologies in Poland.
According to the Institute’s analysis, autonomous vehicles could significantly improve road safety. Human error is estimated to play a decisive role in around 90% of road accidents, while intelligent vehicle systems could potentially reduce the number of incidents by as much as 30%.
At the national level, this could translate into several thousand fewer accidents each year.
Autonomous mobility may also improve transport efficiency, reduce congestion and increase mobility for older people and people with disabilities. It could also support the economy at a time when Poland faces a growing shortage of professional drivers, estimated at around 200,000 people.
Polish Data for Autonomous Driving Systems
Poland is also developing research projects designed to support the next stage of autonomous mobility.
One example is DARTS PL, a Polish database of test scenarios and sensor data being developed by the Motor Transport Institute and Warsaw University of Technology for the Ministry of Infrastructure.
The project is expected to provide unique datasets based on Polish road conditions. These data will be used to train artificial intelligence algorithms and support the development of automated driving systems suited to local traffic, infrastructure and weather conditions.
The establishment of the National Coordinator for Research Activities is intended to give Poland a more structured and secure framework for testing autonomous vehicles, while helping domestic companies, universities and public institutions participate in the rapidly expanding European market for automated mobility.
