In Poland, after buying a car, you can keep the existing license plates

In Poland, after purchasing a car, you can keep the existing license plates regardless of the region of previous registration. This became possible due to changes in legislation that came into force on January 31, 2022.

Conditions for keeping license plates:

• Compliance with standards: The license plates must be Polish, comply with the applicable standards (e.g., have a blue background with EU stars) and be in good technical condition.
• Readability: The license plates must be clear and free from damage that makes them difficult to read.

The cost of car registration:

When registering a vehicle in Poland, standard fees include:

• License plates: 80 PLN.
• Certificate of registration: PLN 54.
• Temporary permit: PLN 13.50.
• Validation sticker: PLN 12.50.

The total amount is PLN 160.

Savings when keeping old license plates:

If you decide to keep your existing license plates, the total cost of registration will decrease, as you do not need to pay for new license plates and a validation sticker. In this case, the fees will be as follows:

• Certificate of registration: PLN 54.
• Temporary license: PLN 13.50.

The total amount is PLN 67.50, which saves PLN 92.50.

Registration procedure with existing license plates:

1. Contact the local communication department (Wydział Komunikacji): Submit an application for vehicle registration with the existing license plates.
2. Prepare the necessary documents:
   • Purchase and sale agreement or invoice.
   • Certificate of registration (Dowód Rejestracyjny).
   • Karta Pojazdu – if you have one.
   • OC insurance policy.
3. Pay the relevant fees: Pay for the registration certificate and temporary permit.

Benefits of keeping old license plates:

• Cost savings: You save PLN 92.50 on the cost of new license plates and a validation sticker.
• Speeding up the process: Not having to produce new license plates shortens the registration time.

Conclusion:

In Poland, keeping the existing license plates after buying a car is a possible and beneficial solution that saves money and time. It is important to make sure that the license plates comply with the applicable standards and are in good condition.