ITD check on taxis - what every taxi driver should know
- Damian Brzeski
- May 15
- 5 min read
Today, the job of a taxi driver is not limited to safely transporting passengers from point A to point B. The ability to find one's way in the maze of regulations and procedures has become equally important.
Inspections carried out by the Road Transport Inspectorate (ITD) are an everyday occurrence for many drivers and do not have to mean stress – as long as we are well prepared for them.
ITD powers and scope of control
Legal basis: Article 50 of the Act of 6 September 2001 on road transport (Journal of Laws 2001 No. 125 item 1371)
Following the amendment to the regulations in June 2024, ITD inspectors have gained a wide range of competences.
Within the scope of their powers they may control:
verify the Polish driving license category B , which is mandatory for all taxi drivers from June 17, 2024,
demand from foreigners a work permit and a document confirming the legality of their stay in Poland,
check the taxi license with the correct territorial scope,
check the vehicle registration certificate , especially the consistency of the owner’s data,
check the third party liability insurance policy with a valid validity period,
verify medical and psychological reports – they must be current and issued with professional drivers in mind.
Billing systems and documentation
What is new is the emphasis on verification of settlement systems. ITD may ask for a working cash register or application for recording fees, as well as settlement printouts from the last 28 days. Lack of such data may result in the initiation of administrative proceedings, and a fine of up to PLN 30,000.
Legal basis: § 3 section 1 of the Regulation of the Minister of Finance of 14 March 2013 on cash registers (Journal of Laws 2013 item 363)
Technical condition of the vehicle
An important aspect of the inspection carried out by ITD is the assessment of the technical condition of the vehicle. Inspectors look not only at the general efficiency of the car, but also at a number of specific elements that must meet safety requirements and road regulations.
Legal basis: § 11 and § 12 of the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure of 31 December 2002 on the technical conditions of vehicles and the scope of their necessary equipment (Journal of Laws 2003 No. 32 item 262)
Here are the most important things that can be checked:
validity of the technical inspection and presence of an appropriate entry in the registration certificate,
the presence and functionality of mandatory equipment, i.e.:
fire extinguisher (with current expiry date, every 5 years),
a warning triangle with approval,
first aid kits with complete, up-to-date equipment,
legalization of the LPG installation (if the vehicle is powered by gas), with a current inspection of the cylinder – usually every 3 years,
labelling in accordance with local regulations, including:
side number,
other markings required by a given commune or city,
vehicle interior – checking that there are no obstacles limiting the driver’s visibility (e.g. pendants, mascots, decorations on the window or dashboard).
Negligence in these areas can result in serious consequences – from having your vehicle registration certificate withheld to having your vehicle taken off the road.
Sobriety test and work time record
The inspector can also conduct a sobriety test if he or she has a reasonable suspicion that the driver has been drinking alcohol. The new powers also allow for the control of a taxi driver's working hours - this applies especially to drivers cooperating with applications.
It is worth noting that this is not about the tachograph and obligations known from truck transport, but about the possibility of reporting the lack of working time records to the National Labour Inspectorate.
Therefore, drivers should have an orderly record of working and rest hours, preferably kept in electronic or paper form.
What ITD cannot do
It is also worth knowing what ITD cannot do. Inspectors do not have the right to conduct a personal search without the presence of the police.
They are also not allowed to demand access to private correspondence, bank accounts or documents unrelated to the transportation of passengers.
They also cannot issue fines for non-road transport offences, such as disturbing public order.
How to prepare for an inspection
To prepare well for the inspection, it is worth taking care of the proper organization of documents. Every driver should carry with them a paper copy of the taxi license, current medical and psychological reports, as well as the vehicle rental or lease agreement - if they are using a car that is not their own.
In addition, there is a printout from the accounting system from the last 28 days and – in the case of documents in a foreign language – their official translation into Polish.
Legal basis: Article 87 of the Road Transport Act and § 1 and § 2 of the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure of 7 September 2021 on documents confirming compliance with the conditions for performing road passenger transport (Journal of Laws 2021, item 1742)
Technical preparation of the vehicle
The vehicle itself should also be checked regularly.
Before each change, it is worth taking a look at the pressure in the fire extinguisher (valid for 5 years), the completeness of the first aid kit and the presence of a warning triangle with approval. Nothing should restrict the driver's visibility - it is therefore worth removing all decorations from the dashboard. For cars with a gas installation, a current inspection of the cylinder is mandatory - usually every 3 years.
Legal basis: Annex No. 1 to the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure of 31 December 2002 on the technical requirements for vehicles (Journal of Laws 2003 No. 32 item 262)
Step-by-step inspection process
During the check, the driver's behavior is very important. First, you should stop in a safe place and turn on your hazard lights. It is best to place the documents on the dashboard, not hand them over.
If the inspector asks you to leave the vehicle, you must take the keys with you and close the doors. During the conversation, it is worth staying calm, and in the event of a request to search the vehicle and personal - do not agree without the police present. It is always worth asking for the inspector's ID - it should contain a hologram.
Legal basis: Article 50 of the Road Transport Act and § 5 section 1 of the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure of 4 October 2021 on road inspections (Journal of Laws 2021, item 1957)
The most common violations and consequences for drivers
An analysis conducted by ITD in the Małopolska province showed that as many as 20% of inspected drivers did not have current medical examinations, 15% had discrepancies in the vehicle documents, and 7% had problems with the settlement systems.
Penalties can be severe: not having a Polish driving license means a fine of PLN 2,000 and potentially taking the case to court, while the lack of travel records or an inefficient settlement system can cost up to PLN 30,000.
Drivers' tips
It is therefore worth implementing a few simple solutions. It is best to set up SMS reminders for technical inspections, medical examinations and insurance.
It is also worth using a document management application – many of them allow you to conveniently monitor deadlines and store necessary files. If you work in a corporation, it is worth asking for training in ITD control procedures, and regularly monitor changes in regulations yourself.
ITD inspection does not have to be a source of stress. A well-prepared driver, with a complete set of documents and a functioning vehicle, treats it simply as a routine part of the job.
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