The Polish Ministry of Infrastructure is working on a legislative change that would allow individuals to obtain a category B driving license at the age of 17, announced Infrastructure Minister Dariusz Klimczak on Friday. The project is reportedly complete and will soon be submitted for interdepartmental consultations.
When asked about the rationale behind lowering the minimum age for obtaining a driving license, Minister Klimczak explained that the decision is partly driven by “the economic needs of our country.” He emphasized the goal of increasing mobility among young people while also demonstrating trust in their capabilities.
However, the proposed regulations include several restrictions for 17-year-old drivers. These young drivers would face stricter limits on the number of penalty points they can accumulate compared to more experienced drivers. Additionally, a transitional period would require them to be accompanied by an adult while driving, and there would be a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol consumption.
Minister Klimczak highlighted research indicating that drivers who develop good habits early tend to maintain those behaviors throughout their driving careers. He expressed his desire for the new regulations to come into effect at the beginning of next year.