The Category B driving licence theoretical exam verifies whether you know traffic regulations, recognize road hazards, and correctly evaluate situations encountered as a driver.
The examination takes place at a Provincial Road Traffic Centre (WORD – Wojewódzki Ośrodek Ruchu Drogowego) and is administered on a dedicated computer workstation. It consists of 32 questions with a maximum score of 74 points. To pass, you must score at least 68 points.
You can take the state theoretical examination either after finishing a full OSK course or after independent self-study.
When can you take the Category B theoretical exam?
You can take the state exam no earlier than one month before reaching the minimum age required for the driving licence category.
From March 3, 2026, the minimum age for Category B is 17 years old. This means you can take the state theoretical exam as soon as you turn:
16 years and 11 months.
Before registering for the exam, you must have an active Driver Candidate Profile (PKK) generated by your local municipal office.
If you take a full course at an OSK, you should complete the required theoretical classes and fulfill course completion requirements before sitting the state exam.
If you choose independent self-study, you may take the state theoretical exam without attending classroom lectures at an OSK beforehand.
Do you have to complete a theory course before the WORD exam?
No.
For a Category B driving licence, you have the legal right to choose independent self-study for the theoretical exam.
In this case, the process is:
- obtain your PKK number from the municipal office,
- study the highway code and exam questions independently,
- register for the state theoretical exam at WORD,
- pass the theoretical exam,
- enroll in an OSK for the required practical training,
- complete practical driving lessons and pass the internal practical test,
- take the state practical exam at WORD.
Passing the state theoretical exam before starting OSK training exempts you from classroom theory lectures and the internal theoretical test.
How to register for the theoretical exam at WORD?
Once you have your PKK and meet eligibility criteria, you can book an exam date at any Wojewódzki Ośrodek Ruchu Drogowego in Poland.
You are not restricted to the WORD closest to your home or driving school; you are free to select any examination centre nationwide.
Registration requires your PKK number.
Depending on the specific WORD, booking can be done:
- in person at the candidate customer service desk,
- online via the official booking system at https://info-kierowca.pl/.
The examination fee must be paid before your appointment date is confirmed.
How to book the theoretical exam step by step?
Step 1. Prepare your PKK number
WORD uses your Driver Candidate Profile to verify your identity and confirm exam eligibility in the national database.
Step 2. Choose your examination centre (WORD)
Select any provincial traffic centre that conducts Category B examinations.
Step 3. Check available dates
Browse the exam calendar and pick a suitable date and timeslot.
Step 4. Pay the exam fee
Pay the mandatory state fee for the theoretical exam.
Step 5. Confirm your booking
Book the appointment in person or online.
Step 6. Check exam details
Record and confirm the exact date, time, and room location for your exam.
How much does the theoretical driving exam cost?
The theoretical exam is subject to an official fee.
Exam fees are regulated at the voivodeship (provincial) level and may be updated periodically, so always check the current pricing of your chosen WORD.
If you do not pass on your first attempt, you will need to pay the standard fee again for each retake.
What to bring to the theoretical exam?
The single most important item is a valid identity document.
Accepted documents include:
- a national ID card (dowód osobisty),
- a passport,
- a valid residence card (karta pobytu),
- mObywatel digital ID, where legally recognized for identification in the procedure.
Your PKK number is handled directly in the system during registration.
Arrive at WORD at least 15-20 minutes before your scheduled timeslot to locate the examination hall and complete check-in procedures calmly.
What happens in the WORD examination room?
The exam takes place in a dedicated computer room equipped with individual test terminals.
Before starting, the examiner verifies candidates’ identities and explains test regulations and interface instructions.
You then take your assigned computer terminal.
Before the real test begins, the system allows you to complete a brief tutorial and interface simulation.
Once ready, the official examination starts.
How many questions are on the Category B theory exam?
The exam consists of:
32 questions.
They are divided into two distinct sections:
20 basic knowledge questions
and
12 specialized knowledge questions for Category B.
Every question has exactly one correct answer.
What are the basic knowledge questions like?
The first part contains 20 basic questions.
These assess general road safety principles, hazard perception, and right-of-way rules.
Questions may feature:
- a short video clip of a real-world driving situation,
- an animation,
- a photograph,
- a textual scenario description.
For each basic question, you choose between:
YES (TAK) or NO (NIE).
You must evaluate whether the described driver behaviour or manoeuvre is correct and permissible under the circumstances.
What are specialized knowledge questions like?
The second part contains 12 specialized questions.
These focus on rules, techniques, and technical knowledge specific to Category B vehicles.
Each question offers three options:
A, B, or C.
Only one answer is correct.
How much time do you have per question?
Time limits depend on the question section.
For basic knowledge questions (YES/NO):
20 seconds to read the question and view the media
and
15 seconds to select your answer.
For specialized knowledge questions (A/B/C):
50 seconds total to read the question and select your answer.
You cannot spend unlimited time deliberating on any single question.
Can you return to a previous question?
No.
Once you confirm your answer and proceed to the next question, you cannot return to previous questions or alter your answers.
You can change your selected option only before confirming or before the countdown timer runs out.
Always read carefully and evaluate the scenario thoroughly before clicking confirm.
What happens if you do not answer in time?
If the timer expires before you select an answer, the question scores:
0 points.
The system automatically advances to the next question.
An unanswered question is treated identically to an incorrect answer.
How long does the theoretical exam last?
The maximum total time allowed for the exam is:
25 minutes.
Remember that time is managed on a per-question basis, so swift analysis and decisive judgment are critical.
How does the scoring system work?
Questions carry different point values based on their road safety importance.
Correct answers award:
- 3 points — for questions of critical importance to road safety,
- 2 points — for questions of medium importance,
- 1 point — for questions of lower safety significance.
Incorrect answers or unanswered questions receive:
0 points.
There is no negative marking (no penalty points deducted).
What is the maximum and passing score?
The maximum possible score is:
74 points.
To achieve a passing grade, you must score at least:
68 points.
This means you can drop at most:
6 points.
How many mistakes can you make?
There is no fixed number of allowed mistakes because questions have varying point weights.
For example, if you miss two 3-point questions, you drop 6 points and still pass with exactly 68 points.
However, missing a single additional 1-point question would result in 67 points and a failing grade.
Pay extra attention to high-value 3-point questions concerning right-of-way, pedestrians, and emergency procedures.
What does the theoretical exam test?
The exam tests comprehensive road understanding rather than isolated rote facts.
Topics cover:
- general road traffic rules,
- right-of-way priorities and junction behaviour,
- traffic lights, signs, and police officer hand signals,
- rules regarding pedestrians, cyclists, and vulnerable road users,
- safe overtaking, lane changes, and turning,
- speed limits and stopping distances,
- hazard perception and situational awareness,
- driver obligations and vehicle documentation,
- vehicle maintenance, tyre safety, and warning equipment,
- emergency actions and first aid protocols.
Effective preparation requires deeply understanding the underlying principles rather than surface memorization.
Are exam questions randomized?
Yes.
The test is dynamically generated by the examination software. Each candidate receives a randomized selection from the official national exam database maintained by the Ministry of Infrastructure.
No two candidates receive identical question sets.
Preparing with a comprehensive, up-to-date test bank and taking full mock tests is the most reliable strategy.
Are the questions identical to those in practice apps?
When practicing, always use apps built on the official state exam question database, such as Smart Testy.
This ensures you encounter authentic question formats, visual scenarios, and video clips.
Avoid memorizing answers by visual association alone: slight variations in lighting, road signs, or vehicle positions can completely reverse the correct answer.
When do you find out your result?
Your result is displayed immediately on screen upon completing the exam.
The screen shows your total points scored and an explicit result:
POSITIVE (PASSED / POZYTYWNY)
or
NEGATIVE (FAILED / NEGATYWNY).
Scoring 68 points or more means you have officially passed your theoretical driving exam.
What should you do after passing the theoretical exam?
Your next step depends on your chosen training route.
If you already completed your full OSK course
If you finished your 30 practical driving hours and passed the internal exam beforehand, you can immediately book your:
State practical exam at WORD.
Select an available practical date and pay the practical exam fee.
If you prepared via independent self-study
If you passed theory via self-study, your next step is enrolling in an OSK for the mandatory 30 hours of practical in-car training.
Your route is:
PKK → Self-Study → WORD Theory Exam → OSK Practical Training → Internal Practical Test → WORD Practical Exam
Once practical lessons and the internal test are completed, book your state practical exam at WORD.
How long is a passed theoretical exam valid?
Under current Polish law, a positive state theoretical exam result is valid indefinitely (bezterminowo).
You do not need to retake the theory exam if several months or years elapse before you take or pass the practical exam.
However, keep your knowledge refreshed as highway codes and regulations evolve over time.
What to do if you fail the theoretical exam?
Failing the theory exam is not a catastrophe. You do not need to restart the entire process.
You do NOT need to:
- apply for a new PKK,
- repeat your medical examination,
- retake the theoretical driving course.
You simply book another theoretical exam date at WORD, pay the standard exam fee, and retake the test.
Is there a limit on theory exam retakes?
There is no legal limit on the number of attempts.
You may retake the theoretical examination as many times as needed until you pass.
However, rather than booking immediate retakes blindly, review your weak areas, revisit the relevant sections in the textbook, and practice mock tests until your scores consistently exceed 70 points.
Can you review your mistakes after a failed exam?
Yes. Regulations grant candidates the right to inspect their completed test and review incorrect answers along with the correct solutions.
Take advantage of this option to identify whether errors stemmed from:
- gaps in specific traffic rules,
- misinterpreting road situations on video,
- rushing and missing keywords,
- misunderstanding test phrasing.
How to best prepare for the theoretical exam?
The most effective strategy combines two components:
thorough understanding of traffic regulations
and
regular practice with realistic mock exams.
Train under realistic exam conditions:
- solve complete 32-question test sets,
- respect countdown timers,
- never guess blindly; analyze underlying rules,
- review every mistake and read its legal rationale,
- target weak modules with topical practice,
- use up-to-date official exam test banks.
When you consistently score 70+ points across multiple consecutive randomized tests, you are truly exam-ready.
Are mock exams worth doing?
Yes, absolutely.
Mock exams build familiarity with the software interface, question pacing, and exam pressure.
They train you to:
- perform under strict time limits,
- read questions critically for negative qualifiers,
- analyze situational videos accurately,
- maintain steady concentration throughout all 32 questions.
Use platforms like Smart Testy that accurately reflect official WORD exam conditions.
Category B Theoretical Exam – Key Facts
Exam location: WORD examination centre
Format: Computerized test
Total questions: 32
Basic questions: 20 (YES / NO)
Specialized questions: 12 (A / B / C)
Maximum points: 74
Passing threshold: 68 points
Question weights: 1, 2, or 3 points
Maximum duration: 25 minutes
Result validity: Indefinite (no expiration)
After passing theory and finishing practical training, proceed to the final hurdle — the state practical examination for Category B.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the Category B theory exam?
The exam contains 32 questions: 20 basic and 12 specialized Category B questions.
What score is needed to pass?
You must score at least 68 out of 74 points.
How many mistakes are allowed?
There is no fixed mistake count because questions are weighted (1, 2, or 3 points). You can lose at most 6 points in total.
How long does the theory exam take?
Up to 25 minutes, with individual per-question countdown timers.
Can you change an answer or return to previous questions?
No. Once confirmed or when time runs out, the answer is locked and you cannot return to earlier questions.
Is there negative marking for wrong answers?
No. Incorrect or unanswered questions simply score 0 points; points are not deducted.
Do you need to complete driving school theory before taking the WORD exam?
No. You can prepare via independent self-study and take the state theory exam directly.
Does a passed theory exam expire?
No. Passed state theoretical exams have no expiration date.
What happens after passing theory?
If you already finished OSK driving hours, book your state practical exam. If you did self-study, enroll in an OSK for practical driving training.
What if you fail the theory exam?
Book a retake appointment. You do not need to restart your PKK or repeat medical exams.
How many times can you retake the theory exam?
There is no limit on retakes.
Is practicing test questions beneficial?
Yes. Regular practice with official questions reinforces rules and builds exam readiness.
