How to start working as a taxi driver in Poland: documents and steps
You can start taxi work in Poland with your own vehicle or a fleet car. Check your driver documents and partnership terms first, then prepare the vehicle and complete platform verification. Creating an account alone does not authorise you to carry passengers.
🚖 Where to begin
- Tell the manager your city, whether you hold a Polish driving licence and whether you need a car.
- Get a document checklist for your circumstances and chosen platform.
- Before buying or renting, confirm vehicle eligibility and the full cost breakdown.
Who can start
Previous taxi work experience is not essential. However, work experience and the length of time you have held a licence are different: Uber lists category B entitlement held for at least a year. Check your chosen service’s admission rules before joining. App-based passenger trips require a valid Polish driving licence. Foreign nationals also need an appropriate legal basis for residence and work; a passport alone is insufficient.
Documents to prepare
| What to prepare | What to check first |
|---|---|
| Identity document | ID card, passport or residence card; the details must match your profile. |
| Polish category B driving licence | Validity, restrictions and the platform’s minimum period of licence ownership. |
| Polish KRK certificate | Time the application around your appointment: Uber and Bolt require a certificate no more than 30 days old at verification. |
| Medical and psychological assessments | The required assessments for professional driving, rather than a general health certificate. |
| City-specific documents | The vehicle’s taxi licence extract and driver identification required by the local procedure. |
| Registration details | Your phone number, accessible email and profile photograph. Keep control of your own account. |
For Warsaw, the city separately requires non-EU drivers to provide a criminal record certificate from their country of origin, translated into Polish by a sworn translator established in Poland or the appropriate consul. The loose term “notarised translation” is inaccurate here. Confirm the required set and document dates before ordering.
A KRK certificate can be issued electronically. Its original is a signed XML file; an ordinary printout is not an official paper certificate. Before applying, check which format the verification centre and city office will accept.
The process in 6 steps
- Choose your city and working arrangement. Say whether you have a vehicle and which apps you want to use. Ask for a personalised list of missing documents.
- Agree the contract and payments. Check commission, rental, deposit, payout dates, tax treatment and termination. Foreign nationals’ right to work must also be verified.
- Prepare your driver documents. Complete the required assessments and time your certificate application so it remains current at the appointment.
- Prepare the vehicle. Check inspection, OC insurance, TAXI entry, the right to use the vehicle, licence extract and local markings. Confirm eligibility before buying a car.
- Attend platform verification in person. Bring the required original documents. Do not replace an existing account with a new one without consulting platform support.
- Wait for all confirmations. Check the driver, vehicle, city and category in your profile. Start carrying passengers after the necessary formalities and admission are complete.
Your own vehicle or a fleet car
With your own vehicle, preparation and running costs follow your contract. For a rental, compare more than the weekly payment: deposit, mileage, maintenance, insurance, accident liability and downtime matter too. Working with a licensed fleet partner does not automatically require setting up your own business; choose the contractual model first. An independent operator arranges licensing and accounting separately.
Time and starting costs
There is no universal “start in one day” timeline. Reviewing a complete file differs from waiting for missing documents. Licence exchange, assessments, a city driver ID or a vehicle extract can determine the start date. Ask your manager what is ready, what is pending and which action currently blocks activation.
Request separate figures for assessments, certificates, translation, city documents and vehicle preparation. Compare two budgets: one-off starting costs and ongoing expenses. App revenue is not all take-home pay. Do not rely on an unconfirmed bonus to cover mandatory payments.
Before your first trip
- A signed contract and clear payment rules.
- Accepted driver documents and valid required permissions.
- The correct vehicle and permitted city in the profile.
- Clarity on which documents to carry and when to renew them.
- A working phone, navigation, charging and a support contact.
- A recorded condition report, equipment list and return terms for a rented car.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start without taxi experience?
Yes. Taxi experience and the length of licence ownership are different. The platform’s licence rules need a separate check.
Do I need my own car?
You can consider a fleet vehicle instead. Confirm availability and rental terms before starting the paperwork.
Must I set up a business?
Working under contract with a licensed operator can be possible without your own business. The process differs for an independent operator.
Can I drive immediately after registration?
Only after the required documents, verification and admission of the driver with a specific vehicle. Account registration does not replace these steps.
Sources and currency
Requirements checked on 25 October 2026. Platform rules and city procedures can change; confirm your individual document checklist before applying. The verification date does not update automatically.