During a press conference, Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that the new regulations address the challenges faced by Polish road transport operators, who are dealing with issues related to the situation in Ukraine and the economic slowdown in Europe.
The increasing number of foreign carriers and their vehicles in Poland necessitates stronger controls to protect the domestic road transport market.
A key element of the amendment is the acceleration of the requirement for foreign carriers from outside the EU to register in the SENT system, aimed at improving monitoring and safeguarding Polish companies from unfair competition.
The SENT system will oversee electronic control of foreign permits, encompassing road and rail transport along with the trade in heating fuels.
The regulations will be phased in for carriers from outside the EU, Switzerland, and EFTA beginning November 1, 2024, and for those from these regions starting January 1, 2025.
Additionally, the deadline for driving school accreditation will be extended by three years, until August 31, 2027.
New Polish law aligns with EU rules on vehicle use and cabotage enforcement
The new law seeks to bring Polish regulations in line with EU directives, which require that member states not impose restrictions on vehicles rented by companies from other EU countries, as long as these vehicles are registered or approved according to the rules of any EU member state.
The revision of Polish law also targets the enforcement of cabotage rules, which pertain to commercial transport of goods between locations in various EU or EFTA countries other than where the carrier is based.
According to the new regulations, the Chief Road Transport Inspectorate in Poland will need to provide the European Commission with an annual report on cabotage control activities.
Source: IAR/PAP/KPRM
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