At what age can you become a taxi driver in Poland? This is a question that has surprisingly many conflicting answers online. Some sources say 18, others say 21, and both figures cite “the law.” The fact is that there are two different age requirements that are easy to confuse. Qiwi Partner will explain what age is required to Category B driver's license, specifically regarding taxi licenses—where does the confusion about the year 2021 come from, and what else do foreigners planning to work in this field in Poland need to know?
Two Age Categories That Should Be Distinguished
How to become a taxi driver—this is a question that actually involves two separate steps, each with its own age requirement.
The first hurdle is the minimum age at which one is generally eligible to drive a car—that is, to obtain a Category B driver’s license. The standard age is 18, although recent changes in the law now allow individuals to obtain this category as early as age 17, subject to certain restrictions regarding being accompanied by an experienced driver. This is a basic requirement; without it, there can be no discussion of the next steps.
The second requirement is the minimum age needed to obtain a license to transport passengers by taxi. This is where the most confusion arises, because this age requirement is not the same as the age required to obtain a driver’s license. According to current transportation laws (taking into account amendments made in recent years), to obtain a taxi license, you must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid Category B driver’s license. In other words, theoretically, if you’ve had a driver’s license since age 18, you can apply for a taxi license on the very same day.
Where does the number 21 come from?
The answer to this question is clear-cut, but when it comes to the profession of a taxi driver, there are still articles online that state the minimum age requirement is 21, and some of them are even dated this year. This isn’t an accidental mistake by the authors, but rather a result of the fact that the age requirement used to be higher, and after the law was changed, the old figure simply continues to be passed down from one article to another.
In practice, we see an interesting situation: the legal minimum and market reality are not the same thing. Formally, the law allows people to obtain a taxi license as early as age 18.
Other requirements, aside from age
In addition to age, there are a number of other mandatory requirements without which a license simply will not be issued.
Before submitting your documents, you should prepare the following:
- a medical certificate stating that there are no contraindications to working as a driver;
- a psychological evaluation confirming the ability to perform the duties of a taxi driver;
- a certificate of no criminal record—specifically, confirming the absence of convictions for crimes against life, health, sexual freedom, and traffic safety;
- a document confirming the right to use the vehicle—ownership, joint ownership, lease, or rental;
- A motor vehicle liability insurance policy (compulsory civil liability insurance).
The license itself is issued for a term of 2 to 50 years, and its cost typically ranges from 200 to 500 zlotys, depending on the selected term and the city where the application is filed.
How long will it take to gather all the required documents? Medical and psychological reports are usually ready on the day of the request or within a few days, and their combined cost is approximately 300–350 zlotys. A criminal record check can be requested online via the ekrk.ms.gov.pl portal and is delivered electronically within minutes, provided there are no technical delays on the system’s end. The longest stage is usually the review of the license application itself by the local government authority, which can take anywhere from a few days to a month, depending on the workload of the specific department.
A mandatory requirement for foreigners to become taxi drivers
Working as a Taxi Driver in Poland There is one detail that is often overlooked: as of June 17, 2024, every taxi driver in Poland, including foreigners, is required to hold a Polish driver’s license. Ukrainian, Belarusian, or Kazakhstani licenses are not valid for working as a taxi driver—they must be officially exchanged for a Polish equivalent before submitting the license application.
This is a key difference between working as a taxi driver and working as a courier: for delivering food or packages, any valid international driver’s license is often sufficient, whereas the law requires a local license specifically for transporting passengers. If you’re a foreigner and plan to drive a taxi rather than work as a courier, obtaining a local driver’s license should be one of the first steps in your preparation plan—this process takes time, and it’s better to start it early than to put it off until later.
A license in your own name or working through a platform
This is an issue that has two fundamentally different solutions, and the choice between them affects how quickly the project gets off the ground.
- Own taxi license. You’ll need to set up your business on your own, obtain a license, and register a cash register and a taximeter. This is a longer process that gives you full control over your operations, but it requires more time and upfront costs.
- Working through a payment partner with platforms such as Uber, Bolt, or FreeNow. The partner handles most of the paperwork, and the driver connects to the company’s existing infrastructure. This allows for a much faster start, especially if you don’t yet have your own vehicle that meets taxi requirements.
To be honest, for most newcomers—especially foreigners who are just figuring out the paperwork in a new country—the second option seems more practical: your partner helps you navigate the formalities while you focus on the work itself.
How to Start Working as a Taxi Driver: A Step-by-Step Guide
The process itself consists of several sequential steps, and the time required for each one depends on how well you have prepared your documents in advance.
- Verification of basic conditions. Must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid Category B driver's license (for foreigners, the license must already have been exchanged for a Polish one).
- Undergoing a medical and psychological examination. Certificates are issued at specialized medical centers and are valid for a limited period.
- Obtaining a Certificate of No Criminal Record. You can order it online through the National Criminal Registry.
- Choosing a business model. Your own license and business operations, or a partnership with a fleet company to operate through apps.
- Preparing the car. Completing the necessary paperwork for the vehicle and, if necessary, registering the taximeter.
- Submitting a license application or signing an agreement with a partner. Depending on the path you chose in the previous step.
- Getting Started. Once all the formalities are complete, you can head out onto the track.
Most often, gathering the necessary documents—medical certificates, a criminal record check, and, for foreigners, the exchange of a driver’s license—takes the most time. Therefore, it’s best to start this process well in advance, rather than at the last minute before your desired start date.
Working as a taxi driver through Qiwi Partner
Tips on How to Become a Taxi Driver
So, at what age can you become a taxi driver in Poland? This question has two answers: 18 years old—that’s the legal requirement for a Category B driver’s license and, formally, for a taxi license. Foreigners should also keep in mind that they must exchange their driver’s license for a Polish one—without this step, working as a taxi driver is simply impossible.
If you still have questions about the required documents, choosing between obtaining your own license or working through a platform, or legalizing your employment in Poland—the team Qiwi Partner will help you understand your specific situation and advise you on where to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
- At what age can you get a Category B driver's license in Poland?
The standard age is 18, although recent changes in the law allow individuals to obtain this category of license at age 17, subject to certain restrictions. - How can I become a taxi driver if I'm 18 years old?
Technically, the law allows individuals to apply for a taxi license as early as age 18, provided they hold a Category B driver's license. - Can I work as a taxi driver in Poland with a Ukrainian driver's license?
No. As of June 17, 2024, all taxi drivers in Poland, including foreign nationals, are required to have a Polish driver’s license. - Which is faster—getting your own license or working through Uber or Bolt?
Working through a payment partner is usually faster, since the company handles most of the paperwork and helps prepare the documents.
