A copy of a taxi license is one of those Polish documents that migrant drivers hear about within their first few weeks on the job and almost always confuse with the actual taxi license itself. The difference between the two documents seems trivial—until the police pull you over during a traffic stop and the required document isn’t in the glove compartment. Qiwi Partner will explain how the extract differs from the taxi license and the driver’s ID, how much it costs to obtain, and, more importantly, when you can avoid this hassle altogether.
What is a copy of a taxi license, and how does it differ from the license itself?
A taxi license is a permit issued by a local government (municipal or community) to an entrepreneur granting the right to transport passengers by taxi within a specified territory. But the license itself is, in essence, merely a decision by a government agency regarding an individual or a company; it says nothing about the specific vehicle you drive.
This is where the extract comes into play—an official extract from the license tied to a specific vehicle. Without this document, the vehicle is not formally «assigned» to your license and therefore has no legal right to carry passengers as a taxi, even if you hold a valid license. In practice, this means one simple thing: you must have as many extracts on hand as there are vehicles operating under your license, and each extract must be physically present in the specific vehicle to which it pertains.
Why is it necessary, and what are the consequences of not having it?
The permit is checked during traffic stops along with the driver’s license, insurance, and driver’s ID. If an inspector finds that a vehicle is carrying passengers as a taxi but does not have a valid permit, it’s important to understand the real-world implications of this problem: this isn’t just a formality «to check a box,» but a document whose absence costs real money.
The problem is that new drivers often find out about this requirement after the fact—when they trade in their car, get a second one for a side job, or switch to a rental car. Qiwi Partner has already discussed in detail other common mistakes that novice drivers make during their first months of work in Poland in a separate article on beginners' mistakes — It's worth reading it alongside this one so you don't make the same mistake twice.
A driver's registration certificate, license, and ID—these are three different documents that people constantly confuse
At first, all these documents just blend together in your head into one big jumble of «some kind of taxi permits.» Let’s break it down:
- Taxi License — a permit allowing an entrepreneur to operate a taxi service within a specific territory. It is issued once (with the possibility of renewal) and is not tied to any specific vehicle.
- Excerpt from the License — an extract from this license for a specific vehicle. One extract is required for each vehicle. This document confirms that this particular vehicle is authorized to carry passengers under your license.
- Taxi Driver ID — a separate driver’s identification card with a photo, name, and license number, which by law must be displayed in a visible location inside the vehicle (most often on the dashboard or the back of the front seat). It verifies the driver’s identity to the passenger, rather than the vehicle’s right to provide transportation—that is, it serves a completely different purpose than the permit.
Carrying only one of the three documents in your car and considering the matter settled is a common and costly mistake.
How to Obtain a Copy of a Taxi License: A Step-by-Step Guide
Where to Submit Your Application
You must submit your application for cancellation to the same authority that issued your license—usually the communications or transportation department of the city administration or the local government where you conduct your business.
What documents will you need:
- standard form — a form issued by a specific administrative body;
- details of the current license (number, validity period);
- vehicle information—license plate number, make, model, VIN;
- proof of payment of the administrative fee;
- If necessary, a power of attorney, if the documents are not submitted by the license holder in person.
In person or online
Some government agencies can already be accessed remotely—through state e-services such as mObywatel.gov.pl, e-Doręczenia, or a city’s local e-services portal (for example, the portal for Warsaw residents). However, not all municipalities have a fully functional online option, so the traditional trip to the relevant agency with a stack of documents remains the most reliable method, especially if you’ve just bought a car and time is of the essence.
How long should I wait?
The official processing times for administrative cases in Poland can take several weeks, and in complex cases, up to two months. In practice, however, issuing an extract is not a new decision by a government agency but a technical procedure based on an existing license; therefore, in most administrative offices, it is processed significantly faster than the license itself—often within a few business days. But you definitely shouldn’t count on it being done «today or tomorrow»: it’s better to submit your application in advance, even before you plan to take delivery of your new car.
Do you personally need to go through all this trouble if you're working with a remote partner?
Everything described above applies to drivers who obtain their own taxi license as self-employed entrepreneurs. But there is another option: working under the license of a settlement partner who already has their own fleet of licensed vehicles. In this case, the registration process, applications to the authorities, and tracking deadlines become the partner’s responsibility—not yours. Qiwi Partner has written in detail about this business model with a settlement partner in an article explaining what a settlement partner is, and you can read about when it's more cost-effective to drive your own car and when it's better to rent one in Review of a personal car or a rental car.
If you don't have your own car or don't want to apply for a license on your own just yet, Qiwi Partner offers Cars for rent to drive for Uber, Bolt, and FreeNow in Warsaw — That is precisely where issues related to registration and licensing arise most frequently, due to the high level of competition and the number of inspections.
Quick Overview: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a copy of a taxi license cost in Warsaw?
If you operate under your own taxi license, the fee depends on the license’s validity period: approximately 35.20 zlotys for a license valid for 2–15 years, 41.80 zlotys for a 15–30-year term, and about 49.50 zlotys for a 30–50-year term, if the vehicle is added separately from the initial application.
If you work through a Qiwi Partner, the registration of your vehicle is completely free—the company handles this paperwork as part of the partnership.
Is a separate registration certificate required for each vehicle?
Yes. Every vehicle operating under your taxi license must have its own license certificate, which must be physically present in the vehicle while it is in service.
How does a dispatch code differ from a taxi driver's ID?
The certificate confirms that a specific vehicle is authorized to carry passengers under your license. A driver ID is a personal photo ID card that verifies the identity of the person behind the wheel, not the vehicle’s status. These are two different documents with different functions, and both are required at the same time.
Can I request a discharge summary online?
In some cities, yes—through government e-services such as mObywatel.gov.pl or e-Doręczenia, or a local e-services portal. In other municipalities, documents are still accepted only in person or by mail—it depends on the specific municipality.
The bureaucracy surrounding taxi licenses in Poland is rarely intuitive the first time around, and that’s normal—every new driver has to deal with it. If you don’t want to handle all this paperwork yourself or don’t have the time, Qiwi Partner is ready to take care of this part of the process for you: Join the affiliate program and start driving without having to visit government offices.
