Comprehensive training for professional drivers

CODE 95 on a driver’s license or Driver Qualification Card (DQC) certifies the professional qualifications of a truck or bus driver. It is recognized in Poland and throughout the EU. CODE 95 can be obtained upon completion of a professional qualification course, and the entry is valid for five years from the issuance date of the certificate. After this period, it must be renewed through periodic training. These courses are divided based on the trainee’s age and the year they obtained a category C or D driver’s license.

Initial Driver Certificate of Professional Competence CPC (ID CPC) is intended for individuals under 21 seeking a category C license and those under 24 seeking a category D license (provided they are at least 21).

Accelerated Initial Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (AID CPC) is for those who meet the legal age requirement (21 for category C and 24 for category D) and obtained their license after September 10, 2009 (for category C) or September 10, 2008 (for category D).

Supplementary Initial Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (SID CPC) is for individuals who already hold qualifications in one license category and wish to add another category without meeting the age requirement (see above).

Accelerated Supplementary Initial Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (ASID CPC) allows individuals who meet the age requirement to add a second category qualification.

Periodic Driver CPC training (PD CPC) is mandatory for those renewing their qualifications (every five years) and for category C license holders who obtained their license before September 10, 2009 (and September 10, 2008, for category D).

Courses within the qualification framework conclude with an exam at the Regional Examination Center (WORD), while periodic training does not require an exam. To enroll in the course, participants must have a Professional Driver Profile (PKZ) number.

The PKZ (Professional Driver Profile) is a 21-digit number required to begin courses for obtaining professional driver qualifications. The last digit of the PKZ number indicates the type of course:

Initial Driver Certificate of Professional Competence CPC (ID CPC) has a PKZ ending in the digit 1, e.g., 123456789101112131891.
Accelerated Initial Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (AID CPC) has a PKZ ending in the digit 2, e.g., 987654321123456789002.
Supplementary Initial Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (SID CPC) has a PKZ ending in the digit 3, e.g., 101112131415161718193.
Accelerated Supplementary Initial Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (ASID CPC) has a PKZ ending in the digit 4, e.g., 1918171615141312114.
Periodic Driver CPC training (PD CPC) has a PKZ ending in the digit 5, e.g., 918171615141312111235.

The PKZ number is issued by the Department of Communications corresponding to the driver’s place of residence. For foreign nationals residing in Poland for less than 185 days or working for a Polish transport company and traveling outside the EU at least once every six months, any Department of Communications in Poland can issue the PKZ.

To obtain the PKZ number, the following must be submitted:
– Valid psychotechnical and occupational health examinations,
– A photo (size 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm),
– Completed application form,
– Proof of payment for document issuance (100.50 PLN). Most Departments of Communications require this fee to be paid before issuing the PKZ number, though a few allow payment after completing the course, which necessitates an additional visit to the payment desk.

An ADR certificate authorizes drivers to transport hazardous goods by road. This certification makes drivers more attractive on the job market and provides access to job opportunities that offer frequent returns home due to the nature of the cargo. Examples include fuel distribution or transporting asphalt to road construction sites. Given the nature of goods in this sector, routes from refineries to destinations (such as gas stations or construction sites) tend to be relatively short, increasing the job’s appeal to drivers.

These qualifications are valid for five years, after which the driver must complete a refresher course and pass an exam before a panel, which includes a representative from the Provincial Marshal’s Office and the training center.

The exam is conducted in Polish, which means foreign candidates must have a certified translator present during the exam. However, the course itself can be conducted in any language (or with a translator) by a qualified instructor.

Individuals eligible for the ADR course must be at least 21 years old and hold a driver’s license of at least category B.

The PKZ number is issued for a single course only, meaning that anyone seeking additional qualifications must apply for a new PKZ number. For renewing qualifications after five years through periodic training, a new PKZ number is also required.

The tachograph card is issued by the Polish Security Printing Works (Polska Wytwórnia Papierów Wartościowych). This process is not connected to any courses, but the driver’s license number (section 5 on the document) is required. The application for the card can be submitted via the website www.info-car.pl. The issuance fee is 172.50 PLN, and the card is valid for five years from the date of issuance.

According to the Vienna Convention, a foreign national may use their home country driver’s license for up to 185 days of residency in a given country. However, they are required to complete a qualification course to obtain CODE 95. Upon completion, they are issued a Driver Qualification Card (DQC), which authorizes them to work as a driver. This card is valid only when presented together with the driver’s license.