TAXI technical inspection: what do they check and how to prepare the car?
In Poland, during an annual taxi inspection, the diagnostician checks the vehicle's technical condition, its markings, and required equipment. Among other things, he or she checks brakes, suspension, tires, and lighting.
If your car has a taximeter, you'll need a valid legalization document, and for LPG installations, you'll need tank documentation. Learn how a periodic inspection differs from a supplementary inspection, how much you'll pay, and what formalities await you after visiting the station.
What do they check during a TAXI inspection?
At the parking lot, you can check to make sure all the lights are working and the tires are free of visible damage. At the Vehicle Inspection Station (VAT), the inspection also includes precise measurements and a chassis inspection.
Wheel pullers are used to detect play in the suspension and steering systems. These devices force the wheels to move while the diagnostician assesses the condition of the components in both systems.
The braking system is tested, among other things, on a roller brake test bench, a test bench used to measure braking force. The diagnostician compares the results for wheels on the same axle to assess whether the brakes are working evenly.
The trained eye of a diagnostician is also crucial. During the inspection, they will assess the condition of the chassis and tires for damage and uneven tread wear. If a tire is more worn on one side, it may indicate incorrect wheel alignment.
If you're just converting your private car to passenger transport, you must also submit it for an additional inspection. During this visit, the diagnostician will verify that the vehicle meets the requirements for taxis. This inspection has a different scope than a general inspection of the vehicle's technical condition.
The annual taxi inspection includes:
Area | What does the diagnostician check? |
Vehicle identification | VIN number and compliance of the vehicle data with documents and entries in the register. |
Brakes, steering and suspension | Braking efficiency and uniformity, condition of components and any looseness. |
Tires, lights and electrical system | The condition of the tires, the operation and adjustment of the lights and the installation components covered by the scope of the test. |
Body and chassis | The condition of the structure and elements affecting the safety of using the car. |
Exhaust system and emissions | System condition and required emission measurements in combustion cars. |
Taxi requirements | Required equipment and signage, TAXI lamp and valid taximeter legalisation, if fitted. |
Detailed inspection methods and fault classification are specified in the annexes to the Technical Inspection Regulation . A preliminary vehicle inspection helps identify some faults early, while braking efficiency and play in individual systems will be assessed by a diagnostician during measurements and inspections at the station.
Periodic inspection and additional TAXI - when should they be performed?
During a periodic taxi inspection, the diagnostician assesses the vehicle's technical condition and verifies whether it meets taxi requirements. An additional inspection is performed before the vehicle is used as a taxi—it includes vehicle identification and an inspection of the conditions associated with its new purpose.
First test of the car that will become a taxi
Imagine you want to start transporting in a car you've previously driven privately. Even if the car has a valid inspection, it still needs to undergo an additional TAXI inspection before it can be used as a taxi.
When changing the vehicle's intended use, the diagnostician will schedule the next visit in accordance with regulations, taking into account the current inspection validity. Therefore, don't assume that just a supplementary inspection will give you a full year until your next periodic inspection.
When scheduling an appointment, please inform the service center that you are preparing your vehicle for its first use as a taxi, provide the current date for your next inspection, and discuss with the service center what tests need to be performed. The basis for this is Article 81 of the Road Traffic Act and Sections 3 and 4 of the Inspection Regulation .
Annual TAXI inspection - also for new cars
Taxis are subject to a technical inspection once a year, even when they are new.
the schedule for the first inspection after three years, the next after two years, and then annually does not include cars used as taxis. This exception results from Article 81, paragraph 6 of the Road Traffic Law .
During your annual inspection, the technician checks the vehicle's technical condition and compliance with taxi requirements. If the vehicle already has the appropriate endorsement in its registration document, you can schedule your next periodic inspection. Check your appointment in advance to plan your visit and any necessary repairs.
What equipment must a TAXI car have?
A taxi must provide at least two passenger seats, space for hand luggage, and an appropriate door layout. The Regulation on Technical Conditions, § 11 and § 24 , provides for two variants of their arrangement:
at least two doors on each side of the car;
two doors on the right, one on the left and one at the rear, with the rear door only allowing exit in case of emergency.
TAXI lamp and markings required in your city
The TAXI light, commonly known as a beacon, must be located on the roof. It should be white or vehicle yellow, with black TAXI lettering on the front and rear.
After dark, with good air clarity, the lamp's light must be visible from at least 50 meters away. Before leaving, check its mounting, connection, operation, and legibility of the labels.
Separately, prepare the signage required by the relevant municipality. If you plan to work in Łódź, Poznań, or another city, check the regulations in force there with the office or on its official website. Do not automatically transfer the signage template from one city to another.
First aid kit, fire extinguisher and warning triangle
A taxi must carry a first aid kit. A warning triangle and a fire extinguisher placed in an easily accessible location are also required. The requirement to carry a first aid kit stems from taxi regulations, while the requirement to carry a fire extinguisher and warning triangle stems from general vehicle equipment requirements.
When preparing your car for inspection, check the first aid kit and verify its contents. Check the condition of the fire extinguisher according to the manufacturer's instructions and make sure you can retrieve it quickly. If you're moving items in the trunk before visiting the inspection station, leave your safety equipment in an easily accessible place—this will be useful both during the inspection and in an emergency situation on the road.
Spare tire, repair kit or self-sealing tires?
The regulations allow alternative solutions in the event of a flat tire: a spare tire, a tire repair kit, or a self-sealing tire such as a Seal tire . This is important in vehicles where the manufacturer has installed equipment other than a full-size spare tire. The legal basis can be found in § 24 of the Technical Conditions .
Check what your car actually comes equipped with. If you're using a tire repair kit, read the instructions and make sure it's complete. Don't assume that any tire repair product or a few tire repair cords will suffice.
Also, pay attention to the tire specifications. The Run Flat marking alone doesn't confirm that the tire is a self-sealing Seal tire. If you're using self-sealing tires instead of a spare tire or tire repair kit, be prepared to confirm their type.
Does a taxi on the app have to have a traditional taximeter?
A taxi can use an app that meets statutory requirements instead of a traditional taximeter. This is permitted by the definition of a taxi in Article 2, Section 43 of the Road Traffic Act . However, this is an app that complies with the Road Transport Act, so simply installing any app on your phone is not enough.
If an electronic taximeter is installed in your vehicle, it must have a valid legalization document. According to the District Office of Measures in Wrocław, re-legalization is valid for 25 months . Before visiting the station, check the date indicated on your device's certificate.
How much does a TAXI inspection cost?
According to the rates in effect on October 13, 2026, the annual inspection of a passenger taxi costs PLN 213, and for a vehicle with an LPG system, PLN 309. These amounts include fees for the periodic inspection of the passenger car and checking the requirements for the taxi, and for the specialist inspection for the LPG system.
Scope of the study | Fee |
Periodic inspection of a passenger car | 149 PLN |
Checking additional TAXI conditions | 64 PLN |
Specialist inspection of a gas-powered vehicle | 96 PLN |
Periodic inspection of a passenger taxi: PLN 149 + PLN 64 | 213 PLN |
Periodic inspection of a passenger taxi with LPG: PLN 149 + PLN 64 + PLN 96 | 309 PLN |
The rates came into force on 19 September 2025. The official table of fees indicates in a footnote that the fee for checking the TAXI conditions is also charged during the periodic inspection.
PLN 64 is the price of the additional TAXI inspection alone. For the first time, the total cost of the visit depends on the required scope of tests and the current periodic inspection date. Please arrange this with the station before your arrival.
The fees listed apply only to inspections at the Transport Inspectorate (SKP). Any repairs, taximeter legalization, and a separate inspection of the tank by the Transport Technical Inspectorate (TDT) constitute separate expenses.
What do Uber, Bolt and FREENOW require besides a technical inspection?
A positive inspection result confirms that the station's inspection requirements have been met. Whether a given platform will accept your vehicle and classify it into a selected transport category is also determined by its internal criteria.
Platform | What to check outside of your examination date |
Valid insurance, vehicle documents, and required photos of the license plate. Check the criteria for the model and category you choose in the city where you want to work. | |
Documents, TAXI endorsement, and markings. Vehicle age limits depend on the category selected. | |
Car lists for fleets and cities, as well as requirements regarding technical condition, appearance and equipment. |
Before registering your vehicle for a chosen tariff, compare its model and year with the platform's current requirements. Passing the inspection at the SKP does not guarantee qualification for any category, and the list of eligible vehicles may change.
How to prepare your car and documents for inspection?
Schedule your vehicle inspection early enough to have time to fix any issues you notice. Also, review the equipment documentation in advance—this will allow you to obtain any missing certificates or complete any formalities before the documents expire.
What should you check in your car before going to the local inspection station?
Go through this short checklist one by one:
Turn on the lights and check their operation. Also inspect the lampshades and the TAXI lamp.
Inspect your tires. Check for visible damage and assess the tread condition. Look for uneven wear, for example, more on one side. If in doubt, ask a garage for an assessment.
Pay attention to the operation of the brakes, steering, and suspension. If the car behaves abnormally while driving or there are knocking sounds coming from the suspension, investigate the cause before testing. Also check the operation of the parking brake, also known as the handbrake.
Check the lamp mounting and labeling. Make sure the labeling is legible and the required markings are complete.
Locate the first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and warning triangle. Check the condition of the equipment and access to it.
Check your tire equipment in case of a flat tire. Inspect the spare tire or verify that the tire repair kit is complete; for self-sealing tires, confirm their type.
This checklist helps you prepare your car for the visit. Braking performance, the condition of chassis components, and other parameters will be assessed by the diagnostician at the service station.
Where to do the inspection – basic or district station?
A taxi with a gross vehicle weight (GVM) of up to 3.5 tonnes can be inspected at a basic (PSKP) or district vehicle inspection station (OSKP), provided that the given point is authorized to perform the necessary tests.
Using a car as a taxi does not mean that you are obligated to visit only the OSKP (Open Taxi Station). The competences of individual stations are defined in Article 83 of the Road Traffic Law .
Before leaving, confirm that the chosen station performs taxi inspections, and if you have a gas system, that it also inspects LPG-powered vehicles. Also, report any special circumstances, such as design changes, as some of these inspections require a visit to a district station. Following these guidelines, you'll easily choose the right local inspection station in Łódź, Poznań, or a smaller town.
What documents should I take to the TAXI examination?
Before your visit, prepare the appropriate documents for your car:
A document with vehicle data - usually a registration certificate or an appropriate replacement document, depending on the status of the car.
Current taximeter legalisation certificate – if the device is installed in the car.
Inspection documentation for the LPG tank – if the car has a gas installation.
If your vehicle registration situation is unusual, please check with the station what documents will be required.
In the case of taximeter-equipped vehicles, also note any changes in tire size on the drive wheels. The Central Office of Measures states that this invalidates the legalization certificate. Therefore, the date on the document alone is not sufficient for positive verification if tires of a different size were fitted after legalization.
You will prepare the documents required by the municipal office or transport platform separately, at a later stage.
Car with LPG: tank documents and date of its inspection
If you drive on LPG, before your visit, find the tank inspection certificate and check its operating life. Also, make sure the document applies to the cylinder installed in your car. This will help you determine in advance whether any additional technical inspection formalities are necessary.
The tank inspection by the Technical Inspection Service and the annual car inspection at the Technical Inspection Service are separate activities.
Check your cylinder's documentation for the next inspection date – an annual vehicle inspection does not mean you have to renew the cylinder's legalization every 12 months. The requirement to present a valid document for the device under inspection results from Article 81, Section 12 of the Road Traffic Law .
If your document is missing, you can request a duplicate from TDT. Check the procedure before your inspection date using TDT's official responses regarding LPG tanks .
What to do after a TAXI technical inspection?
Your next steps depend on the inspection results and whether you're just preparing your vehicle for taxi service. Check the information on the certificate and the next inspection date before scheduling further formalities.
After the first examination: certificate and TAXI entry in the ID card
After passing the additional TAXI inspection, the certificate from the station forms the basis for obtaining a TAXI endorsement on the vehicle's registration certificate . This entry is processed at the appropriate vehicle registration authority, usually the Department of Transportation.
A discussion on the diagnostics forum in December 2022 described the case of a driver who had a certificate from an additional inspection but did not have the TAXI notation stamped on his registration certificate. Therefore, simply obtaining the document from the station does not complete the required formalities.
Before visiting the office, check the list of required attachments. The official procedure for Świebodzin County, for example, includes an application, registration certificate, inspection certificate, and documents pertaining to the person handling the matter. Confirm the detailed requirements and application submission process with the appropriate transportation department.
Obtaining a taxi license and a vehicle-specific license are separate procedures. Vehicle inspection stations do not process them. If your vehicle already has a taxi license on its registration document, you do not need to reapply for this endorsement after a standard annual inspection.
Negative result: repair and recheck
The test result is determined by the category of irregularities detected. Minor defects do not preclude a positive result, while serious and dangerous defects result in a negative result. Dangerous defects also result in the seizure of the vehicle's registration certificate. Principles for assessing defects and test results .
A re-inspection may only cover the faulty components if, after repairs, you return to the same inspection center within 14 days of the failed inspection. This period applies only to the re-inspection process and does not constitute automatic permission to continue driving or carrying passengers.
If the re-test is completed successfully, the next periodic inspection is scheduled from the date of the first visit (during which the defects were detected), not from the date of the re-test. These rules are set out in Section 6 of the Technical Inspection Regulation .
Provide the workshop with the list of defects from the certificate and determine the scope of repair. Plan your return to the inspection center within 14 days of the initial inspection. If the vehicle's condition prevents safe driving, arrange for its transportation to the workshop.
Frequently asked questions about TAXI technical inspection (FAQ)
A TAXI technical inspection at a Vehicle Inspection Station ( VAT ) verifies the condition of components and mandatory taxi equipment in accordance with Road Traffic Law . The following table includes key rates, requirements, and deadlines applicable to drivers in 2026 .
1. How much does a TAXI technical inspection cost?
The annual inspection of a passenger taxi costs PLN 213 ( PLN 149 for the periodic inspection and PLN 64 for the TAXI conditions), and in the case of a car with an LPG installation — PLN 309 (including PLN 96 for the gas inspection). The additional inspection itself to adapt the vehicle to the role of a taxi costs PLN 64 .
2. How often should a taxi be inspected?
Every taxi must undergo a technical inspection once every 12 months , even if it is a brand new car from the showroom ( Article 81, paragraph 6 of the Road Traffic Law ). The standard inspection schedule after 3 years and the following 2 years does not apply to TAXI vehicles.
3. What is the difference between an additional TAXI examination and a periodic examination?
An additional inspection ( PLN 64 ) is performed before commencing work to verify the taxi's markings and equipment. A periodic inspection ( PLN 213 ) is an annual check of the vehicle's full technical condition, combined with taxi requirements. An additional inspection alone does not extend the validity of the existing periodic inspection by another year .
4. Can a TAXI inspection be done at a basic vehicle inspection station (PSKP)?
You can inspect a taxi with a gross vehicle weight ( GVW ) of up to 3.5 tons at either a Basic Vehicle Inspection Station ( PSKP ) or a District Vehicle Inspection Station ( OSKP ). The selected PSKP must be authorized to inspect taxis and LPG systems, and a visit to an OSKP is only necessary if the vehicle has undergone structural changes.
5. What mandatory equipment must a car have during the TAXI inspection?
A taxi must have a TAXI lamp on the roof, a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, a warning triangle, and a spare tire, a tire repair kit, or self-sealing Seal tires (regular run-flat tires do not meet this requirement). A minimum of two passenger seats , luggage space, and a minimum of two doors on each side (or two doors on the right, one door on the left, and one emergency exit door at the rear) are also required.
6. What requirements must a TAXI lamp on the roof meet?
The TAXI lamp (roof light) must be white or yellow, have black TAXI lettering on the front and rear, and be visible after dark from a distance of at least 50 meters ( § 24 of the technical requirements ). The diagnostician at the Technical Inspection Station verifies its stable mounting, operation of the lighting, and legibility of the lettering.
7. Does an app-based taxi have to have a traditional taximeter?
A physical taximeter is not required if the driver settles trips via a mobile app that meets the requirements of Article 2, Section 43 of the Road Traffic Law and the Road Transport Act . However, if an electronic taximeter is installed in the vehicle, you must present its legalization certificate, valid for 25 months , during inspection.
8. What documents should I take with me for a TAXI technical inspection?
At the Technical Inspection Station , take your registration certificate and, depending on the equipment, also a valid taximeter legalization certificate and a Transport Technical Inspection ( TDT ) report for the LPG tank. Changing the tire size on the drive axle after a visit to the Office of Measures automatically invalidates the taximeter legalization before the deadline on the document expires.
9. What to do after the first positive additional TAXI test?
With the certificate from the inspection station, you must go to the Department of Transportation to have the official TAXI annotation added to your vehicle registration certificate. Only this entry allows you to obtain an extract from your taxi license and activate the vehicle in the Uber , Bolt , or FREENOW apps.
10. How long is the time for a re-examination after a negative inspection result?
You have 14 days to return to the same inspection station for a partial re-inspection covering only the repaired defects, with the annual deadline for the next inspection counting from the date of the first visit with a negative result ( § 6 of the Technical Inspection Regulation ). Discovery of dangerous defects will result in the seizure of the vehicle's registration certificate at the station and a ban on further driving and passenger transport.
Comments