New rules for drivers starting June 24: Mandatory re-education course 5 times more expensive

Starting June 24, 2026, Polish drivers face significantly higher costs for regaining their licenses after offenses involving alcohol or drugs. The mandatory two-day re-education course, previously costing 500 Polish zloty (PLN), will now cost 2,500 PLN – a fivefold increase.

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The implementation of preventive measures through appropriate financial deterrence, which may discourage driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicating substances, is necessary.

This price hike is part of new regulations aimed at deterring drivers from repeat offenses. The Ministry of Health issued a new regulation on June 2, 2026, which was published in the Journal of Laws on June 9 and comes into effect this Wednesday. The justification for the increased fee highlights the need for "appropriate financial deterrence" and ensuring that the cost covers the preparation and execution of these courses.

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The previously charged fee of 500 PLN was inadequate for current economic and social realities.

Authors of the regulation emphasized that the previous fee of 500 PLN was inadequate given current economic and social realities. They pointed out that society strongly condemns driving under the influence, and therefore, the course fee should not be excessively low. The justification also noted that the courses are conducted by highly qualified specialists with higher education and specialized postgraduate studies or training in addiction prevention and problem-solving, which contributes to the overall cost.

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Society strongly condemns driving under the influence of alcohol, or under the influence of a narcotic or other intoxicating agent, therefore the fee for the re-education course cannot be too low.

In addition to the increased cost, the course content has been enhanced. The curriculum now includes a section on the impact of alcohol and similar substances on the development of cardiovascular and oncological diseases, aiming to increase the educational value of the program. The goal is to make the course more impactful and better equip drivers with knowledge about the severe health consequences of driving under the influence.

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The training within the re-education course is conducted by highly qualified specialists, holding higher education and completed postgraduate studies or specialized training in addiction prevention and problem-solving, or relevant experience in conducting training in the field of alcohol problem prevention and resolution or drug prevention, which should also be taken into account in the costs incurred by the driver attending the re-education course.