Replacement of the paper Polish CODE 95 with a plastic «Driver Qualification Card»!

We will help with document processing to replace paper certificate with a plastic card

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Changes in Polish legislation regarding Code 95

In Poland, changes to the legislation regarding registration and training for the CODE 95 course came into force on 6 April 2022. These changes also affected the rules for obtaining a DRIVER’S CERTIFICATE (PINK PAPER). Now drivers who have a paper Code 95 certificate must obtain a new plastic Code 95 certificate or replace their driver’s license with a Polish one when changing employers.

Plastic Code 95 in Poland: Who Needs It and Why

If your driving license was issued outside the EU, Switzerland, EFTA, or the UK, and you do not have a Polish license with a valid Code 95, you need to obtain a new-style qualification card — plastic Code 95. This document is mandatory for all professional drivers, regardless of the type of transport they perform.

It is important to remember that under the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, a driver who has lived in Poland for more than 185 days is obliged to exchange their foreign license for a Polish one. Even if you are in the country on a business trip, this period is considered a stay, and replacing Code 95 with plastic becomes mandatory.

Control over compliance with driver training rules in Poland is becoming stricter. Inspectors check not only training centers, but also the drivers themselves: training without physical presence is strictly prohibited. If it is revealed that a driver has missed mandatory classes, the Voivode has the right to revoke the certificate and enter the data into a special register of revoked documents.

Documents, costs, and deadlines for obtaining a plastic Code 95 in Poland

To obtain a driver qualification card in the form of plastic Code 95, you need to prepare a full documents package. They must be submitted to the voivodeship before the start of the courses, as indicated in the Act of September 6, 2001, on road transport. Below is a detailed and comprehensive list of documents:

Application for a personal driver card with a qualification mark—it opens the process of applying for a plastic card.
A document from a doctor certifying that there are no health obstacles to working as a driver—a copy must be provided.
A copy of the psychological assessment of suitability for work as a driver, which confirms the driver’s ability to cope with professional stresses and safety requirements on the road.
Declaration of compliance with the conditions provided for in Article 39b(1)(3) of the Road Transport Act, if the driver applies for a Professional Driver Profile (PKZ) to complete a long course, accelerated initial qualification, additional course, or accelerated additional qualification.
A similar declaration is required when undergoing scheduled retraining, as indicated in Article 39d(1)(3) of the Act. Here, the driver confirms compliance with the conditions for participating in a refresher course, which maintains the validity of their professional qualification.
Official confirmation of qualification issued in Poland. If a driver submits documents for additional or accelerated additional qualification, it is necessary to either attach a copy of an existing certificate or issue an official statement of its availability. This ensures the legality of participation in the next stage of training and the subsequent issuance of a plastic Code 95.
Code 95 issued in Poland serves as official confirmation of all types of driver training—whether it is initial qualification, an accelerated program, or retraining. This requirement does not apply to drivers whose experience in categories D/D1 began before 09/10/2008, and in categories C/C1—before 09/10/2009. The document is mandatory for everyone else: it will not be possible to obtain a plastic Code 95 without it.
An extract or copy of a driver qualification card with a valid certificate obtained in one of the EU countries, Switzerland, an EFTA state, or the UK, or a statement of its availability. The document is mandatory for drivers applying for a Professional Driver Profile (PKZ) for the purpose of undergoing additional or accelerated additional training, if the corresponding Polish certificate has not yet been obtained. This paragraph also applies to periodic training if the previous certificate is missing, and the rights were issued after the specified dates for categories C and D.
A color photograph measuring 35 by 45 millimeters on a light background with high image quality. The portrait area should cover 70 to 80 percent of the image, the eyes are open and directed straight into the camera, the hair does not cover the face, the mouth is closed, the expression is natural. The photo must be prepared so that its shooting date does not exceed six months before submitting the documents. This standard ensures that the plastic Code 95 will meet the identification requirements.
A copy of a valid driving license.
Receipt of payment of the fee for replacing Code 95 with plastic and the registration fee.
Signature, clearly displayed as a sample in the application.

All these documents are necessary to ensure that the process of obtaining the card goes smoothly and without delays from the supervisory authorities. Careful preparation of the documents package ensures prompt processing of the card and makes it convenient for use in the driver’s daily work.

The cost of the plastic card is 700 PLN + 100 PLN for driver’s license translation.
Processing time is 3-4 weeks.

Should active drivers in Poland obtain a plastic Code 95?

If you are already working in Poland and are engaged in international transport, it is important to understand the new requirements. Previously, it was enough to have a Driver Certificate, known as the “red paper,” to confirm the legality of work. Now, professional drivers must have not only this certificate, but also a qualification card—plastic Code 95—if your rights were not issued in the EU.

For the transitional period, the current Driver Certificates will continue to be sufficient proof of your professional qualification. That is, as long as the document is valid, inspectors will consider the requirements fulfilled.

However, the situation changes if you change employers. When applying for a new Driver Certificate, you will need to provide either a plastic Code 95 or a European-style license with a certificate. Simply put, in order to continue working without delays and problems with inspectors, you will have to go through the procedure of replacing Code 95 with plastic. This is a modern and official way to certify your qualification for international transportation.

Replace paper Code 95 with plastic

We will help our students and anyone interested in replacing their document with a plastic card. Apply, and we will contact you to discuss all details