How to Obtain a Driver Qualification Card in Poland? Practical Guide 2025

What is a professional driver qualification card?

The Driver Qualification Card (DQC) is a document issued to drivers from outside the EU who do not have code 95 entered in a driver’s license issued outside the Union. The DQC confirms completion of initial qualification or periodic training and authorizes the performance of road transport in the EU. In practice, it serves the same function as code 95 in an EU driver’s license.

Driver qualification card vs. driver’s license and code 95

The driver qualification card does not replace a driver’s license – it is a supplementary document. While code 95 confirming professional qualifications is placed in driver’s licenses issued in European Union countries, drivers with foreign driver’s licenses require a separate qualification card. It’s worth emphasizing that professional drivers from outside the EU who possess a driver’s license issued in an EU country (e.g., when they exchanged their driver’s license for an EU one) and have code 95 entered in it are exempt from obtaining a DQC.

Code 95 confirms the completion of appropriate courses and examinations, enabling work as a truck or bus driver. It is a key element confirming professional qualifications.

It’s important to emphasize that code 95 is not a substitute for either DQC or a driver’s license - every professional driver must complete training and obtain code 95.

Who must have a driver qualification card?

The obligation to have a driver qualification card applies primarily to:

• Drivers intending to perform road transport with trucks or buses who do not have a driver’s license issued in an EU member state with a current code 95 entry;
• Drivers performing commercial road transport with trucks with a GVW over 3.5 t and buses designed to carry more than 9 people (including the driver’s seat);
• Drivers performing road transport of goods or people as part of a business activity.

Differences between a driver qualification card and a certificate of professional qualification

The certificate of professional qualification is a document confirming the completion of initial qualification or periodic training (so-called code 95). The professional qualification certificate is issued by a driving school with appropriate authorizations, and the state examination is organized by the Regional Road Traffic Center (WORD). Then, based on this document, the county administrator issues a Driver Qualification Card, which actually authorizes the performance of the profession.

A fee of 150 PLN and a record-keeping fee of 0.50 PLN are charged for issuing a driver qualification card.

Differences between a driver qualification card and a driver certificate

The driver certificate is another document that every driver from outside the EU performing commercial road transport of goods in the EU must possess. This document is defined in EU Regulation No. 1072.

Therefore, it applies to every EU country and is required in every member country. Sometimes this document is colloquially called a “pink/red paper” due to its characteristic color. The driver certificate is issued by the Main Inspectorate of Road Transport, and one of the attachments to the application for its issuance is a copy of a valid driver qualification card (issued in Poland or any EU country).

Remember that driving without a driver certificate carries the risk of very high monetary penalties (varying depending on the EU country), and even loss of carrier reputation (if the driver does not have such a certificate at all). Also remember that the driver certificate must be issued for the same company whose vehicle the driver operates (i.e., the driver certificate and the license for the given vehicle must match).

What conditions must be met to obtain a professional driver qualification card?

To receive a Driver Qualification Card, a non-EU foreigner must have a valid driver’s license of the appropriate category, complete initial qualification or periodic training, pass a state examination, and undergo medical and psychological examinations. The application is submitted to the county administrator appropriate for the driver’s place of residence.

Professional Driver Profile - PKZ

Drivers who do not have code 95 and want to obtain a driver qualification card must create a Professional Driver Profile (PKZ in Polish). This is an individual number that, since April 6, 2022, is necessary to begin training as part of professional qualifications. PKZ is issued free of charge and generated in a teleinformation system by the Communication Department.

To obtain a PKZ, you must submit an appropriate application along with documents to the Communication Department appropriate for your place of residence. After submitting a complete application, PKZ is usually generated on the spot, but according to regulations, the office has a maximum of 2 working days to do so. Only with the obtained PKZ number can you start training at a driving school and take the exam.

Required qualifications for a professional driver

The next condition for obtaining a driver qualification card is obtaining a certificate of professional qualification. This document confirms that the driver has acquired additional skills necessary to work as a road transport driver. This condition applies to drivers operating vehicles of categories C, C1+E, C1, C+E, D, D1, D+E, and D1+E.

The qualification card is issued to drivers who have completed an appropriate qualification course.

Initial qualification for a professional driver

Initial qualification is a full training, lasting 280 hours, which must be completed by younger driver candidates who want to drive trucks or buses. It gives the opportunity to start work from the age of 18 (for categories C/C+E) or from the age of 21 (for categories D/D+E). Note: Drivers who obtained a category C driver’s license before September 10, 2009, do not need to undergo initial qualification - it is sufficient for them to complete periodic training.

Accelerated initial qualification

Accelerated initial qualification is a shortened training, lasting 140 hours, available for people over 21 years of age (for C/C+E) or 23 years of age (for D/D+E).

Supplementary accelerated initial qualification

Supplementary initial qualification is a training lasting 70 hours, designed for drivers who already have one initial qualification and want to extend their entitlements to another category of driver’s license (e.g., from C/C+E to D/D+E). Thanks to it, you can quickly gain new qualifications without the need to re-take a full course.

Accelerated supplementary initial qualification

Accelerated supplementary qualification lasts 35 hours and is directed at drivers who are extending their entitlements (e.g., from C/C+E to D/D+E or vice versa).

Periodic training

Periodic training must be repeated every 5 years to extend the validity of the card (or code 95).

Medical and psychological examinations

Before starting qualification training, the driver must obtain a positive result of medical and psychological examinations. It’s worth noting that these examinations should be performed first, and only later should you apply for a Professional Driver Profile.

The examinations are conducted by a doctor authorized to perform preventive examinations of employees, who simultaneously has the authorization to examine drivers. The certificates must state that there are no health and psychological contraindications to working as a driver.

The cost of medical examinations is 200-250 PLN and psychological examinations - 150-200 PLN.

How to apply for a professional driver qualification card?

The application for a Driver Qualification Card is submitted to the county office or city office appropriate for the foreigner’s place of residence. Necessary documents must be attached to the application, and a fee must be paid. The qualification card is issued in the form of a plastic card.

Where to submit a driver qualification card application?

The application for issuing a driver qualification card must be submitted in person at the county office or city office with county rights appropriate for the applicant’s place of residence.

There is also the possibility of submitting an application electronically. In many cases, this can be done through the Electronic Submission Box of the Vehicle and Driver service, operated by the Polish Security Printing Works (PWPW). However, a condition for using this option is having a Trusted Profile or qualified signature. You should also check if a given county office uses this system.

Driver qualification card – price and fees

A fee of 150 PLN is charged for issuing a driver qualification card, to which a record-keeping fee of 0.50 PLN should be added. The fee can be paid directly at the office cash desk, by payment card when submitting the application, or by bank transfer to the indicated office account.

Issuance of a driver qualification card

The driver qualification card is produced at the Polish Security Printing Works in Warsaw, and the waiting time for its issuance is about 2 weeks for paper applications or 7 days for applications submitted electronically. The office usually notifies about the possibility of collecting the card by SMS or email, if this data was provided in the application.

Collection of the professional driver qualification card is possible at the office where its issuance was requested.

Driver qualification card – price and fees

A fee of 150 PLN is charged for issuing a driver qualification card, to which a record-keeping fee of 0.50 PLN should be added. The fee can be paid directly at the office cash desk, by payment card when submitting the application, or by bank transfer to the indicated office account.

Issuance of a driver qualification card

The driver qualification card is produced at the Polish Security Printing Works in Warsaw, and the waiting time for its issuance is about 2 weeks for paper applications or 7 days for applications submitted electronically. The office usually notifies about the possibility of collecting the card by SMS or email, if this data was provided in the application.

Collection of the professional driver qualification card is possible at the office where its issuance was requested.

Validity, renewal, and application status for a driver qualification card

The driver qualification card requires regular renewal and knowledge of procedures related to its validity. Compliance with deadlines is crucial for professional drivers.

How long is a professional driver qualification card valid?

The Driver Qualification Card is valid for 5 years. When the expiration date approaches, the driver must complete periodic training and re-obtain an entry authorizing them to perform road transport. The validity of the document may be shorter if the term of medical, psychological examinations, or driver’s license expires earlier.

When and how to renew a professional driver qualification card?

Renewal of the qualification card should be carried out before its expiration date. This process requires:

• Completion of mandatory periodic training;
• Performing new medical and psychological examinations;
• Submitting an appropriate application to the office.

The extension application can be submitted as early as 60 days before the current card expires. However, it should be done no later than 15 days before its expiration to ensure the new card arrives on time.

How to check the application status online?

After submitting the application, the office updates the data in the CEPiK system as part of the Professional Driver Profile (PKZ), which can be checked online through the Info-Car service operated by PWPW.

The card should be ready for collection within a maximum of 30 days. If a phone number or email was provided in the application, the office will notify about the possibility of collecting the document.

Lack of a professional driver qualification card - Consequences

The lack of a valid Driver Qualification Card (DQC) or code 95 entry in the driver’s license carries serious legal and financial consequences for both the driver and the employer. This document confirms the possession of required professional qualifications, and its absence means a lack of authorization to perform road transport in Poland and the entire European Union.

Consequences for the driver

A driver who, during an inspection by the Road Transport Inspectorate or police, fails to show a valid DQC or driver’s license with code 95 entry, risks a fine of about 150 PLN for not having the document with them or even 800 PLN for an actual lack of professional qualifications.

In extreme cases, a driving ban may be applied, which means immobilization of the vehicle and additional losses for the company. If the driver operates a vehicle completely without the required authorizations, they risk a fine from 1,500 PLN up to 30,000 PLN, as well as a driving ban, restriction of liberty, or arrest.

Consequences for the company

Responsibility also falls on the entrepreneur and the person managing transport. A company that allows a driver without qualifications to work may receive a fine of 1,000–1,500 PLN for each violation. This means that with several irregularities, penalties can accumulate, and additionally, the road transport inspectorate can impose a ban on transport until the deficiencies are rectified.

In the case when a driver from outside the European Union performs international road transport of goods without a valid driver certificate, the entrepreneur faces an administrative fine of 5,000 PLN. This sanction applies to inspections carried out on Polish territory; however, in other European Union countries, penalties for similar violations may be much more severe.

Additional effects

The lack of a valid card may result not only in administrative penalties but also problems with the insurer. In the event of a traffic accident, the insurance company may refuse to pay compensation and charge the costs to the perpetrator or their employer. The risk of financial and reputational losses is therefore enormous – non-compliance with regulations can lead to the loss of contracts and customer trust.

How to Obtain a Driver Qualification Card? - Summary

The Driver Qualification Card is a key document for drivers from outside the EU who want to perform transport in Poland and the European Union. Obtaining it requires passing medical and psychological examinations, establishing a Professional Driver Profile (PKZ), completing appropriate training (initial qualification, accelerated or periodic), and passing a state examination. The application for issuing the card is submitted to the county office, and the total cost is 150.50 PLN. The document is valid for 5 years and should be renewed through periodic training. The lack of DQC is associated with fines, high penalties for the company, and the risk of losing the legal right to work in road transport.

If you need support or advice in your transport company, the Evotax team is here to help - both in payroll calculation for transport, HR issues, or obtaining a driver’s card or required licenses!