Do you want to start a Category B driving licence course? Before enrolling in a Driving Training Centre (OSK – Ośrodek Szkolenia Kierowców), check what requirements you need to meet. The key factors include your age, place of residence, absence of medical contraindications, and completing the formalities to obtain a Driver Candidate Profile (PKK – Profil Kandydata na Kierowcę).
From March 3, 2026, a Category B driving licence can be obtained upon turning 17 years old. You can start the course even earlier — up to 3 months before reaching the minimum age.
At what age can you obtain a Category B driving licence?
The minimum age required to obtain a Category B driving licence is currently 17 years old. This means that after turning 17, you can obtain full legal authorization to drive Category B vehicles.
However, this does not mean you have to wait until your 17th birthday to start the training course.
When can you start a Category B driving licence course?
You can begin training no earlier than 3 months before reaching the minimum age required for the given driving licence category.
For Category B, this means you can start the course once you reach:
16 years and 9 months.
Thanks to this rule, theoretical and practical training can begin before your 17th birthday.
You can take the state exam no earlier than one month before reaching the minimum age, which for Category B means after turning 16 years and 11 months. The driving licence entitlement itself can be granted only after reaching the required age.
Does a minor need parental consent?
Yes. If the applicant is under 18 years old, starting the training requires written consent from a parent or legal guardian.
Consent is also required when obtaining a Category B driving licence before turning 18.
In practice, this means that a person starting the course at the age of 16 years and 9 months should include parental or guardian consent when preparing the documents required to start the entire process.
What requirements must you meet before starting the course?
Age alone is not enough. Before starting Category B driving training, you must also complete several mandatory formalities.
An applicant must:
- obtain a medical certificate confirming no health contraindications to driving motor vehicles,
- prepare an up-to-date photograph meeting driving licence photo standards,
- submit an application for a driving licence,
- obtain a Driver Candidate Profile (PKK),
- obtain written consent from a parent or legal guardian if under 18,
- meet residency requirements.
A psychological assessment is not required for a standard Category B application. While Polish law requires psychological evaluations for certain professional categories and special circumstances, it generally does not apply to Category B candidates.
The detailed PKK application process and list of required documents are covered in the next step of this guide.
Do you need to live in Poland to get a driving licence?
Yes. One of the conditions for obtaining a Polish driving licence is meeting the residency requirement in the territory of the Republic of Poland.
As a rule, the candidate should stay in Poland for at least 185 days in each calendar year due to personal and professional ties, or with the intention of permanent stay resulting from personal ties.
The regulations also provide for specific situations concerning people who stay in several EU Member States due to work, or who temporarily stay or study abroad.
What matters is the place of residence, not nationality. Non-Polish citizens can also apply for a Polish driving licence if they meet the residency requirements.
Do you need registered address (meldunek) in Poland?
The condition for obtaining a driving licence refers to place of residence (residency), not solely to registered address (meldunek).
When submitting an application, the candidate signs an appropriate declaration regarding place of residence and meeting the statutory requirements.
Therefore, “place of residence” and “registered address” are not synonymous under the regulations.
Who cannot obtain a Category B driving licence?
A driving licence cannot be issued solely based on reaching the required age and completing the course. The candidate must also satisfy all other legal criteria.
Obstacles may include:
- diagnosed medical contraindications to driving,
- an active, legally binding driving ban,
- revocation of driving privileges or driving licence suspension relevant to the requested category.
The candidate must also successfully complete the required training and pass the state examination.
Category B licence at age 17 – what do you need to remember?
Obtaining a Category B driving licence before turning 18 comes with additional restrictions.
Until turning 18, a young driver may drive Category B vehicles only within the territory of Poland.
Furthermore, during the first 6 months after obtaining the licence (and no longer than until turning 18), an eligible accompanying person must sit in the front passenger seat while driving.
The accompanying person must:
- be at least 25 years old,
- have held a Category B driving licence continuously for at least 5 years,
- not be subject to a driving ban and have had no driving ban in the last 5 years,
- not be under the influence of alcohol or substances acting similarly to alcohol.
If the driver turns 18 before the 6-month accompanied driving period expires, the accompaniment requirement ceases automatically upon reaching adulthood.
Requirements before Category B course – summary
If you want to start a Category B driving licence course, ensure you meet the fundamental conditions:
Minimum age to start the course: 16 years and 9 months Minimum age to obtain Category B licence: 17 years Applicants under 18: written parental/guardian consent required Residency: generally at least 185 days per year in Poland Health status: medical certificate confirming no contraindications Formalities: obtain a PKK number before starting training
Once these conditions are met, you can proceed to the next stage — preparing documents and creating your Driver Candidate Profile (PKK).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you start a Category B course before age 17?
Yes. You can start the course up to 3 months before reaching the minimum age, which means at 16 years and 9 months.
What is the minimum age for a Category B licence?
From March 3, 2026, the minimum age for Category B is 17 years old.
Does a 17-year-old need parental consent for a driving licence?
Yes. Anyone under 18 years of age requires written consent from a parent or legal guardian.
Can a 17-year-old drive a car alone?
Not immediately. For the first 6 months after receiving the licence (until turning 18), a qualified accompanying passenger must be present in the front seat. Driving is restricted strictly to Polish territory until age 18.
Do you need Polish citizenship to get a driving licence in Poland?
No. The key criterion is residency. In general, an applicant must reside in Poland for at least 185 days per year.
