Taxi and Occasional Transport – What is the difference?

A taxi roof light could cost you 15,000 PLN. Seriously. In passenger transport, the line between "taxi" and "occasional transport" is thin for the passenger, but ruthless for the entrepreneur.

Taximeter, app, car tag – one wrong move and you're facing penalties under the Road Transport Act.

Instead of guessing and risking scrutiny, learn the hard differences that make the difference between legality and financial disaster.

1. Definition: what is a Taxi and what is Occasional Transport?

2. What is NOT allowed in occasional transport? (Art. 18)

3. Comparison table: taxi vs occasional transport

4. Mobile applications and the law

5. Common requirements (2024/2025 changes)

6. FAQ: Taxi and occasional transport – regulations and differences

Definition: what is a Taxi and what is Occasional Transport?

The Road Transport Act (UTD) makes this clear, separating these services right from the very definitional foundations. There's no room for guesswork here – the law specifies what constitutes a licensed taxi.

Taxi – a motor vehicle, appropriately equipped and marked, intended for commercial passenger transport, in which the fare is determined on the basis of the taximeter readings or a mobile application.

Importantly, this service is widely available. This means the driver can pick up a passenger directly froma rest stop or "off the street." Occasional transport, on the other hand, operates on an exclusionary basis and is defined in Article 4, Section 11 of the Act :

Occasional transport is the transport of passengers that does not constitute regular transport, special regular transport or shuttle transport.

In the case of passenger cars, this service is dedicated to special occasions, such as weddings, VIP transportation, or pre-booked transfers . Typical "taxi" billing methods are not used here.

What is NOT allowed in occasional transport? (Art. 18)

This is the crux of the problem and the most common cause of fines. To prevent "occasional transport" performed in a regular passenger car (up to 9 people) from being considered a taxi, the legislator introduced strict restrictions in Article 18, paragraph 5 :

When performing occasional transport by passenger car, it is prohibited to: place and use a taximeter in the vehicle; place visible and legible markings on the outside of the vehicle with the name, address, telephone number, website address of the entrepreneur or other markings intended to identify the entrepreneur; place lamps or other technical devices on the roof of the vehicle.

The purpose of these prohibitions is simple: the customer must immediately see that he is not getting into a licensed taxi , but using a private transport service on request.

Any attempt to make an ordinary car look like a taxi (e.g. by using a lamp on the roof) is a violation of the law.

Comparison table: taxi vs occasional transport

The following list highlights the most important operational differences that determine the legality of your business. It's worth taking a closer look at these details, as they're the devil ITD inspectors are looking for.

Characteristic	Taxi (Taxi License)	Occasional Transport (Passenger Car)
Marking	Required: "TAXI" lamp on the roof, side stripes/coats of arms (depending on the municipality), price list on the windshield.	Prohibited: No roof light, no side numbers, no price list on the windscreen (Art. 18, paragraph 5).
Pricing	According to the taximeter or application readings (dynamically, based on time and distance).	The price is agreed in advance (lump sum) before the journey begins. Using a taximeter is prohibited.
Ordering	App, phone, taxi rank, stopping at the touch of a button.	Advance booking (agreement) only . No taxi ranks allowed.
Road privileges	Possibility of driving in bus lanes (in most cities), entry into restricted traffic zones.	No privileges – the vehicle is treated like a regular civilian car.
Payment	Cash, card, app (virtual cash register).	Cashless or cash payment, but fixed as a lump sum.

Mobile applications and the law

The introduction of the so-called " Lex Uber " allowed taxis to legally abandon the physical taximeter in favor of a mobile app. Article 13b of the Act regulates this as follows:

It is permissible to settle the fee for the transport of persons by passenger car, including taxi, using a mobile application that meets the requirements specified in the provisions [...].

However, you must remember that this privilege applies only to taxis in its full scope. Occasional transport has been intentionally excluded from the option of being billed "like a taxi," i.e., dynamically based on kilometers traveled and time.

In this model, the technology can only be used to match the driver with the passenger and set a fixed price for the service before the journey begins.

Common requirements (2024/2025 changes)

Despite operational differences, security issues have been standardized by the legislature. Key changes that leave no room for interpretation came into effect on June 17, 2024 :

Every driver carrying out commercial passenger transport – regardless of whether he or she drives a taxi or performs occasional transport – must have a Polish driving license .

Moreover, in both cases, entrepreneurs are absolutely obligated to verify drivers' criminal records and their identity. In the case of foreigners, it is also necessary to check their criminal history from their country of origin.

A handful of conclusions for the journey

If you see a car with a lamp on the roof legally driving in a bus lane, it is definitely a taxi .

When you order an unmarked limousine for a wedding or VIP transport , you are using occasional transport .

An attempt to combine these worlds in a hybrid way (for example, "passenger transport" with a light on the roof) is illegal in Poland and may result in an administrative fine of up to PLN 15,000 .

FAQ: Taxi and occasional transport – regulations and differences

Here are quick answers to the most frequently asked questions about legal differences, requirements and penalties related to passenger transport in Poland.

1. How does a taxi differ from a rideshare? A taxi has a light on the roof and a taximeter (or app), and the price depends on time and distance; a rideshare is a made-to-order service with a fixed, pre-determined price.

   
   

2. Can occasional transport have a "roof light"? No, the Road Transport Act strictly prohibits the display of "TAXI" lights and markings on vehicles performing occasional transport.

   
   

3. Can a driver of an occasional transport vehicle use bus lanes? No, the privilege of using bus lanes and entering restricted traffic zones applies only to licensed taxis.

   
   

4. What is the penalty for pretending to be a taxi? Attempting to make an occasional transport vehicle resemble a taxi (e.g., by installing a lamp) may result in an administrative fine of up to PLN 15,000.

   
   

5. Can a taximeter be used for occasional transport? No, possessing and using a taximeter in a vehicle performing occasional transport is prohibited by law.

   
   

6. How is the price determined for occasional transport? The price must be set as a lump sum (as a specific amount for the entire service) before the journey begins, rather than being calculated dynamically during the journey.

   
   

7. Is an Uber or Bolt driver a taxi or a rideshare? Most rideshare app drivers currently operate under a taxi license to legally use dynamic pricing and billing apps.

   
   

8. Is a Polish driving license required for occasional transport? Yes, from June 17, 2024, every driver engaged in commercial passenger transport (both taxi and occasional) must have a Polish driving license.

   
   

9. Can you order occasional transport by waving your hand in the street? No, occasional transport requires a prior agreement (order) at the company's headquarters or electronically.

   
   

10. Can a vehicle used for occasional transport display a telephone number? No, regulations prohibit the display of any identifying information on the vehicle's exterior, such as the name, address, or telephone number.

    
    

11. Can a mobile app replace a taximeter in occasional transport? No, the app in occasional transport is only used to connect parties and determine the price, not to measure the route in real time.

    
    

12. Are occasional transport drivers vetted? Yes, the company is obligated to check the driver's identity, criminal record, and criminal history from their country of origin.

    
    

13. When is the best time to choose occasional transportation? It's the perfect solution for weddings, corporate events, VIP transfers, or airport trips with a pre-agreed price.

    
    

14. Can occasional transport be parked at a taxi rank? No, taxi ranks are reserved exclusively for marked and licensed taxis.