2026 has been a landmark year for driving licences in Poland. Some changes are already in force — most importantly higher state exam fees and the option to get a category B licence at 17 — while the headline-grabbing "exam revolution" (fewer questions, hazard-perception animations, no maneuvering yard) is still only a draft bill expected in 2027. This guide separates what actually changed this year from what is only proposed, with official sources at the end.
1. State exam fees went up on 1 January 2026
The single concrete change to the theory exam in 2026 is its price. After years frozen at a low level, WORD state-exam fees rose from 1 January 2026. Since 2023 each regional assembly (sejmik województwa) sets its own WORD fees, and the law now includes an annual indexation mechanism — so amounts differ by region and will keep drifting upward.
Before vs after (national reference)
| Exam / fee | Before (up to 2025) | From 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Theory exam (all categories) | ~50 zł | ~55–65 zł |
| Practical exam — category B | ~200 zł | ~222–250 zł |
| Practical exam — categories C, D | ~250 zł | ~280–320 zł |
| Licence issuance fee | 100.00 PLN | 115.50 PLN |
Example: official WORD Warszawa fees (from 1 January 2026)
| Exam | Fee |
|---|---|
| Theory — all categories | 56.98 zł |
| Practical — AM, A1, A2, A, B1, B, C1, D1, T | 229.99 zł |
| Practical — C, D and all trailer categories (B+E, C+E, C1+E, D+E, D1+E) | 288.00 zł |
Fees are set per voivodeship, so the exact amount at your WORD may differ. Warsaw's figures above are a concrete, official example; other regions fall within the national ranges (theory 55–65 zł, category B practical 222–250 zł). Because there are dozens of WORD centres across the 16 voivodeships, the only reliable price is the one published by your centre — always check its official price list (opłaty egzaminacyjne) before paying. For example: Warszawa, Szczecin, Katowice, Poznań, Bydgoszcz, Płock.
2. Category B licence from age 17 (from 3 March 2026)
From 3 March 2026, 17-year-olds can obtain a category B driving licence in Poland. There is a key condition: for the first months, a 17-year-old may only drive accompanied by an experienced driver — someone aged at least 25, holding a category B licence for at least five years, with no driving ban in the last five years, and sober. This accompanied-driving requirement applies for the first six months or until the driver turns 18.
3. Probationary period and zero alcohol (from 3 September 2026)
A probationary period applies to drivers who obtain their licence from 3 September 2026. It normally lasts two years (and can extend up to three years for those who start at 17, but no longer than until age 20). During the probationary period a zero alcohol limit applies — any measurable amount of alcohol is prohibited, stricter than the standard 0.2‰ threshold — along with tighter penalty-point rules.
4. What did NOT change in 2026: the exam itself
Despite all the headlines, the theory exam format is unchanged in 2026. For category B it is still:
- 32 questions — 20 basic YES/NO questions + 12 specialised multiple-choice questions
- 25 minutes, computer-based, with video and image scenarios
- Scored out of 74 points; you need 68 points (about 92%) to pass
- Available in Polish, English and German
- Drawn from the existing official pool of roughly 3,500 questions
So if you are preparing right now, nothing about the questions or the pass mark has changed — only the fee you pay at the WORD.
5. The big exam reform — proposed, not yet law (targeted 1 January 2027)
The Ministry of Infrastructure has published a draft bill to overhaul driver examinations. It is not in force yet — the draft was placed on the government legislation portal (RCL) and is due to reach the Sejm by the end of June 2026, with the ministry targeting an effective date of 1 January 2027. If passed, the main changes would be:
- A smaller question bank — cut from roughly 3,500 questions to about 1,500, better verified and more frequently updated
- Hazard-perception animations — instead of only static Yes/No and multiple-choice items, candidates would react to dangerous situations shown from the driver's point of view
- End of the "plac manewrowy" — the closed-yard maneuvering part of the category B/B1 practical exam would be abolished, moving straight to on-road driving
- Learner cards (karty kursantów) to better track training
Until this becomes law, the current rules and question bank continue to apply. We will update this article when the bill is enacted.
How to prepare for the 2026 theory exam
The exam content has not changed, so your preparation strategy is the same — just budget for the higher fee. OKDrive.pl gives you free access to the full official WORD question bank in English (and 25+ other languages), with timed mock exams that mirror real WORD conditions, video questions, and progress tracking. Practise until you consistently score 90%+ in mock exams before booking your exam, so you pass on the first attempt and pay the WORD fee only once.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the theory exam cost in Poland in 2026?
From 1 January 2026 the theory exam costs roughly 55–65 zł, depending on the voivodeship (for example, 56.98 zł at WORD Warszawa). The exact amount is set by each regional assembly, so check your local WORD's price list before paying.
Why did the exam fees go up in 2026?
State exam fees had been frozen at a low level for years. From 2023 each voivodeship sejmik can set its own rates, and the law now includes annual indexation to keep fees in line with rising costs. The first noticeable increase took effect on 1 January 2026.
Are the exam fees the same across Poland?
No. Since 2023 fees are set per voivodeship, so they differ between regions. In 2026 the theory exam generally runs 55–65 zł and the category B practical exam 222–250 zł, but the only reliable figure is the one published by your own WORD centre.
Did the theory exam format or questions change in 2026?
No. In 2026 the format is unchanged: 32 questions, 25 minutes, 68 of 74 points to pass, available in English, drawn from the existing pool of about 3,500 questions. Only the fee changed. A larger reform (fewer questions, hazard-perception animations) is proposed for 2027 but is not yet law.
Can 17-year-olds get a driving licence in Poland now?
Yes. From 3 March 2026, 17-year-olds can obtain a category B licence, but for the first six months (or until they turn 18) they may only drive accompanied by an experienced driver aged 25+ who has held a category B licence for at least five years.
What is the new probationary period?
Drivers who get their licence from 3 September 2026 enter a probationary period of about two years (up to three for those starting at 17). During it, a zero alcohol limit applies and penalty-point rules are stricter.
Is the maneuvering-yard part of the practical exam being scrapped?
It is proposed, not yet in force. The draft reform would abolish the closed-yard (plac manewrowy) part of the category B/B1 practical exam, with an expected effective date of 1 January 2027 if the bill is passed.
Can I still take the theory exam in English?
Yes. The WORD theory exam remains available in Polish, English and German — you choose your language when booking. You can practise the full official question bank in English for free on OKDrive.pl.
Sources
- WORD Warszawa — fee change from 1 January 2026
- WORD Warszawa — exam fee list
- HDI — exam costs, old vs new fees
- Ministry of Infrastructure — driver-examination reform
- prawo.pl — 2026 exam rule changes
- Gazeta Prawna — category B from age 17 (3 March 2026)
- Auto Świat — probationary period & zero alcohol