Comments on: Driving differences between UK and Poland http://www.britishinpoland.com/blog/2008/08/driving-differences-between-uk-and-poland/ British expat in Poland. Guide to Polish living for EU citizens, bureaucracy and general ramblings Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:19:36 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: IAN FRANCIS http://www.britishinpoland.com/blog/2008/08/driving-differences-between-uk-and-poland/comment-page-1/#comment-551 IAN FRANCIS Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:56:28 +0000 http://polishben.wordpress.com/2008/08/16/driving-differences-between-uk-and-poland/#comment-551 Beware misinformation. The British maximum is 12 points, Polish 24. It is true that a polish policeman who pulls you for speeding is unlikely to apply and Polish points to your British licence - too much paperwork HOWEVER, in THEORY he CAN, and I have heard that if you earn points in Poland, eg 12, you get 12 on your BRITISH licence, which if you were a Pole means half way, in UK means bye-bye licence. The golden rule is, if stopped, DO NOT SPEAK POLISH! The chances of the plod here peaking English are slim - though I did once have a lovely conversation with a Polish police sergeant (one in every car, along with a rookie looking to book as many people as possible), about his friend who was now working in the Irish police... They are HIGHLY unlikely to pull you in a foreign registered car, but they CAN, and if you don't have enough cash on you (by law non-Poles should carry 200 zloty for this and other eventualities - I never caryr more than 40 normally), they will PROBABLY let you go with a wagged finger, but CAN make you phone a friend to bring the money. They did this to me once, I looked desperate and said my boss would kill me, and they let me go, in a Polish registered car. But don't bank on it, and since they now have your licence / car documents, you can't go to the cash point. Or they might follow you there. Conclusion: non-Polish number plates give some immunity, but not 100%. if they need beer money (serious), they WILL get you. Beware misinformation. The British maximum is 12 points, Polish 24. It is true that a polish policeman who pulls you for speeding is unlikely to apply and Polish points to your British licence – too much paperwork HOWEVER, in THEORY he CAN, and I have heard that if you earn points in Poland, eg 12, you get 12 on your BRITISH licence, which if you were a Pole means half way, in UK means bye-bye licence. The golden rule is, if stopped, DO NOT SPEAK POLISH! The chances of the plod here peaking English are slim – though I did once have a lovely conversation with a Polish police sergeant (one in every car, along with a rookie looking to book as many people as possible), about his friend who was now working in the Irish police… They are HIGHLY unlikely to pull you in a foreign registered car, but they CAN, and if you don’t have enough cash on you (by law non-Poles should carry 200 zloty for this and other eventualities – I never caryr more than 40 normally), they will PROBABLY let you go with a wagged finger, but CAN make you phone a friend to bring the money. They did this to me once, I looked desperate and said my boss would kill me, and they let me go, in a Polish registered car. But don’t bank on it, and since they now have your licence / car documents, you can’t go to the cash point. Or they might follow you there. Conclusion: non-Polish number plates give some immunity, but not 100%. if they need beer money (serious), they WILL get you.

]]> By: Andrzej http://www.britishinpoland.com/blog/2008/08/driving-differences-between-uk-and-poland/comment-page-1/#comment-283 Andrzej Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:58:19 +0000 http://polishben.wordpress.com/2008/08/16/driving-differences-between-uk-and-poland/#comment-283 Penalty points - this can be a nasty business. I don't really know how this system works in Poland but when I first came to the UK, quite a few people advised me to ASAP exchange my Polish license with the British one. That's for the sole purpose of being able to collect British tickets and points instead of going to the court on every occasion. And so, my tickets collection is growing. ;-) Penalty points – this can be a nasty business. I don’t really know how this system works in Poland but when I first came to the UK, quite a few people advised me to ASAP exchange my Polish license with the British one. That’s for the sole purpose of being able to collect British tickets and points instead of going to the court on every occasion. And so, my tickets collection is growing. ;-)

]]> By: twojdupa http://www.britishinpoland.com/blog/2008/08/driving-differences-between-uk-and-poland/comment-page-1/#comment-228 twojdupa Sun, 26 Oct 2008 04:48:53 +0000 http://polishben.wordpress.com/2008/08/16/driving-differences-between-uk-and-poland/#comment-228 i read once about polish drivers 1/2 are homicidal 1/2 are suicidal take that as a fair description of motoring in Poland. also if stopped by police try to not show you are non polish the fine (if unfortunate enough) will be more than handed out to a local, half the people i have come across when with moja zona must think i am a mute :) i read once about polish drivers

1/2 are homicidal
1/2 are suicidal

take that as a fair description of motoring in Poland.

also if stopped by police try to not show you are non polish the fine (if unfortunate enough) will be more than handed out to a local, half the people i have come across when with moja zona must think i am a mute :)

]]>