Poland’s Infrastructure Ministry announced plans Monday to eliminate the maneuvering area portion of the driving exam and significantly reduce the number of theoretical questions.
Changes to the Driving Exam System
The Ministry of Infrastructure has announced upcoming changes to the driving exam system, including the elimination of the maneuvering area test and a reduction in the number of theoretical questions by as much as half. The ministry aims to implement the new regulations this year.
Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Stanisław Bukowiec presented the project’s assumptions during a press conference. The goal is to create a transparent exam system that effectively verifies the skills of prospective drivers. A new Examination Center and a Consultative Council, including representatives from driving instructors, exam centers, the Police, and the National Road Safety Council, will also be established.
Swedish Model for Poland
Poland intends to adopt a driving exam system similar to Sweden’s. The Ministry of Infrastructure has been studying driving exam systems in Poland and other countries, including Sweden, which is considered a leader in road safety and exam systems.
Legislative Changes Underway
“Based on these experiences, we decided to reform the driver exam system, therefore we will submit the assumptions for amending the Act on Drivers to the Legislative and Programming Work of the Council of Ministers in the coming days, which will completely change the principles of the exam known for years,” Bukowiec stated.
New Examination Center and Consultative Council
The Ministry plans to replace the existing Commission for Verification and Recommendation of Exam Questions with an Examination Center, which will be established within one of the institutions subordinate to the Ministry of Infrastructure. A newly formed Consultative Council will support the Center.
Developing the Curriculum
The Examination Center, with the support of the Consultative Council, will define the curriculum for both the theoretical and practical exams. The theoretical exam will be reformed, potentially reducing the number of questions to around 1,750 from the current 3,500+, ensuring they reflect current traffic realities.
Major Changes for Category B Licenses
The most significant change will affect Category B licenses, with the elimination of the maneuvering area exam. This type of exam is no longer common in most European countries. The focus will shift to evaluating drivers’ skills in real-world traffic situations.
Participants in driving courses will still be able to practice in the maneuvering area, especially during the initial stages of training.
Approximately 40% of candidates currently fail the maneuvering area exam.
Minister Klimczak Confirms Changes
Infrastructure Minister Dariusz Klimczak announced the elimination of the maneuvering area for Category B license candidates on Friday. He stated that Europe is moving away from this type of exam and that experts consider it outdated. The ministry has been analyzing the issue and is prepared with a draft law.
