The Ministry of Infrastructure is working on a revolution in vehicle method investigating regulations. The planned changes supply for higher fees, draconian penalties for delays and additional regulations relating to the harmonisation of EU requirements. For many drivers, these changes can mean a serious financial burden, as well as the request for greater attention to the method condition of the car.
What will change in method investigation in 2025?
The proposed rules introduce crucial changes in fees and penalties for the deficiency of method review. 1 of the main assumptions is the link between the costs of method studies and the average gross remuneration, which means that fees may increase by respective percent per year. Currently, the basic costs of the reviews are:
- passenger car: 98 zł,
- motorcycle or tractor: PLN 62,
- truck: PLN 153,
- LPG car: 161 PLN.
If the task comes into effect, the fees will be automatically adjusted according to the expanding wages, which will affect the driver's portfolios.
Penalties for deficiency of review – severe consequences for latents
The most breathtaking are the fresh penalties for the timely execution of method studies. The current rules supply for fines from 1500 to 5000 zł, but the task has an even more stringent approach:
- delay by week: 100% basic cost,
- delay to 3 weeks: 200% of the cost,
- delay above 90 days: 300% of the cost.
In utmost cases, the maximum punishment for deficiency of method review may even be PLN 15,000, which aims to mobilise drivers to meet deadlines.
Will the fresh rules improve road safety?
Polish roads inactive face the problem of technically disabled vehicles. In 2023 until 471,000 cars has not been reviewed due to serious deficiencies. The most common problems are:
- failure of braking system,
- damaged suspension,
- used tyres.
The Ministry hopes that higher penalties and stricter checks will force drivers to take care of their vehicles. However, there are no shortages of criticisms that indicate that fresh government can hit the owners of older cars hard, frequently utilized by little wealthy people.
EU directives and Polish regulations
Changes in Poland are besides a consequence to the guidelines of the European Union, which focuses on greater safety in road traffic. EU directives require associate States to:
- more frequent method checks,
- more detailed investigating of vehicles older than 10 years,
- harmonisation of review fees across the Union.
The adaptation of Polish government to EU standards is intended to prevent situations where drivers registry their vehicles in countries with lower investigation costs.
Can diagnostic stations cope with fresh challenges?
Currently operating in Poland more than 5500 vehicle control stationswhich are served annually 25 million vehicles. However, experts point out that an increase in the number of reviews and tightening may require an increase in the number of diagnosticians and the beginning of fresh facilities. The introduction of:
- compulsory training for diagnosticists,
- certification of stations gathering the highest quality standards.
Impact of changes on older vehicle owners
The average age of the car in Poland is over 14 years, which makes many vehicles require costly repairs to go through the review. Higher penalties may force any drivers to quit the usage of older cars, which will improve road safety, but at the same time will increase the financial burden on lower income families.
In countries specified as Germany and the Netherlands, governments have introduced grant schemes for the replacement of newer vehicles. In Poland, specified solutions are not planned yet, which may origin controversy among drivers.
The fresh rules on method tests can introduce a real revolution for drivers in Poland. Higher fees and penalties for delays are intended to improve road safety, but besides entail more expenditure. The owners of older vehicles who will gotta choose between costly repairs and the hazard of advanced fines may be peculiarly affected.
Continued here:
Mandate of PLN 15,000. fresh penalties for deficiency of method review
