Category D1

Polish driving licence category D1

Category D1 is Poland's restricted bus category for smaller buses and minibuses. Its scope is defined mainly by seating capacity and vehicle length rather than by a simple weight ceiling.

Age, vehicles and limits

The standard minimum age is 21 and category B must already be held. D1 covers a bus designed for no more than 17 persons including the driver and no longer than 8 metres, plus a light trailer up to 750 kg. It also includes AM and, in Poland, agricultural tractors and slow-moving vehicles with a light trailer. A heavier trailer requires D1+E, obtained through a practical examination without a separate theory test. From 3 September 2026 additional lower-age possibilities enter into force for specified domestic professional passenger transport after the appropriate initial qualification.

Eligibility and practical preparation

A Polish state examination requires a Driver Candidate Profile (PKK) and compliance with the conditions for the particular category, including the minimum age, medical fitness and training where required by the chosen route. A minor needs the consent required by law from a parent or guardian. Training may start shortly before the minimum age within the statutory time window. The state examination consists of theory and practical parts; the categories covered by these files require the theory part. Before booking, it is sensible to verify that the PKK is active, the identity document is valid, the WORD fee is current and the examination vehicle corresponds to the requested category.

Further entitlements and progression

Holding D1 does not automatically authorise commercial passenger transport. Where professional rules apply, the relevant qualification and code 95, required medical/psychological checks and subsequent periodic training every five years are needed. Depending on the operation, driving-time, tachograph and driver-card rules may also apply. D1 is therefore the entitlement to drive the vehicle; operator licensing, regular-route organisation and other business obligations remain a separate legal layer.

Theory-test format

The Polish state theory test has the same structure regardless of how many questions are contained in the full category database. A candidate receives 32 questions: 20 basic-knowledge questions and 12 specialist questions. The test lasts 25 minutes. The maximum score is 74 points and at least 68 points are needed to pass.

Official question pool

The question content is based on current regulations and official sources. The category D1 catalogue contains 1475 Ministry of Infrastructure questions.

State examination fees in 2026 by voivodeship

The amounts below cover one theory attempt and one practical attempt. A failed or repeated part must be paid for again. Examination fees are set at voivodeship level, so there is no single nationwide price. The table uses currently applicable rates and announced fee lists with their effective dates, verified for the update date; before booking, the current price list of the selected WORD examination centre should still be checked because regional authorities may update the fees.

Professional and specialist authorisations

A driving licence defines which vehicles a person may drive; it does not automatically grant every professional authorisation connected with that vehicle. Depending on the job, a driver may additionally need professional-driver qualification with code 95, a tachograph driver card, an ADR certificate for dangerous goods, UDT qualifications for particular technical equipment, or separate medical, psychological and administrative permits. ADR is a separate qualification: where ADR requires driver training, a valid certificate obtained after the appropriate course and examination is necessary and the applicant is generally at least 21. Driving an emergency/priority vehicle is also separate and normally requires age 21, the matching licence category, medical and psychological fitness, a specialist course and a permit, subject to statutory exceptions for certain services.

Penalty points

Penalty points attach to the driver, not to an individual licence category. If this is the driver's first ever driving licence and it has been held for less than one year, exceeding 20 points leads the starosta to revoke all driving entitlements. After the first year the relevant threshold is 24 points; exceeding it results in a qualification check and a psychological examination, and failure to meet the requirements can lead to revocation. Adding another category later does not restart the first-year period. Points connected with a fine are generally removed one year after the fine is paid; where a court judgment becomes final, the statutory timing is linked to the final decision. A WORD course may reduce the account by up to 6 points and can normally be taken no more often than once every six months, although since 3 June 2026 points for certain most serious offences cannot be reduced this way. From 3 September 2026, first-time category B holders will also be subject to a probationary scheme; reaching 12 points during it will trigger additional practical hazard-awareness training.

Changes during 2026

Note that professional-driver rules contain age exceptions, especially after the appropriate initial qualification for truck or bus drivers. Since 3 September 2026, a further stage of the reform applies, changing among other things probationary rules and some minimum ages in professional passenger transport. Fees for Łódź Voivodeship include the price list announced to take effect on 17 September 2026.

Legal status and fees checked: 11 September 2026.

Sources and currency

• https://www.gov.pl/web/infrastruktura/kategorie-prawa-jazdy
• https://www.gov.pl/web/infrastruktura/jak-uzyskac-prawo-jazdy
• https://www.gov.pl/web/gov/sprawdz-swoje-punkty-karne
• https://www.gov.pl/web/infrastruktura/towary-niebezpieczne
• https://eli.gov.pl/eli/DU/2025/1226/ogl
• https://www.gov.pl/web/infrastruktura/uwaga-kierowcy--od-3-marca-obowiazuja-nowe-przepisy---sprawdz-co-sie-zmienilo
• https://word.lodz.pl/index.php?Itemid=92&id=95&option=com_content&view=article