Car rental in Warsaw

Across Europe, the authorities strictly enforce traffic regulations, and Warsaw is no exception. Breaches of the rules are inevitably punished with fines.

Foreign citizens who commit traffic offences are required to pay fines in cash on the spot, as soon as the police officer issues a ticket.

Many drivers enjoy driving fast, but do not get carried away. After hiring a car in Poland, remember the speed limits. If you exceed them, you may be fined.

• The maximum speed allowed in residential areas is 20 km/h
• The speed limit in built-up areas is 50 km/h from 8.00 to 23.00 and 60 km/h from 23.00 to 8.00
• The speed limit outside built-up areas is 90 km/h
• The maximum speed allowed on dual carriageways is 110 km/h
• You are not allowed to exceed 130 km/h on motorways.

Polish police officers often carry out speed checks in unexpected places. Be careful and do not take unnecessary risks.

Parking in a prohibited place will inevitably result in a fine. The police strictly enforce these rules. However, parking in Warsaw is generally not a problem. There are many car parks throughout the city.

There are both paid and free parking spaces. Please check whether a car park is paid or free before leaving your car. There are two main types of paid parking:

• Automated car parks

You pay at these car parks using special machines designed to accept cash. One hour of parking costs 1 Euro. The price for 1 day of parking is about 10 Euro.

• Car parks with attendants

Some car parks are staffed by attendants. They take payment and issue tickets. The cost of parking here is the same as at automated car parks.

Whichever type of car park you use, you must place the parking ticket under your windscreen before leaving the car. Otherwise, you risk finding a parking fine under your windscreen wiper.

Drink-driving in Poland, as in any other European country, is strictly punished. The maximum permitted blood alcohol level is 0.02 per mille. If this limit is exceeded, the vehicle, including a rental car in Warsaw, will be confiscated. The driver will also face a very substantial fine.

Moreover, if a medical test shows that the blood alcohol level exceeds 0.5 per mille, you may face criminal prosecution. The driver risks a prison sentence of up to two years.

The cost of fuel in Poland does not differ significantly from the European average:

• 95 petrol costs 1.30 Euro per litre
• 98 petrol costs 1.36 Euro per litre
• Diesel fuel costs 1.31 Euro per litre.

There is an interesting trend in Poland: fuel in Warsaw costs 3-4% less than at filling stations located near motorways. You can pay both in cash and by credit card at almost all stations.

There are many toll roads in Poland. The charge ranges from 10 to 50 Euro, depending on the distance, the type of car and other factors. Always follow road signs carefully in order to choose the best route. This will help you notice in good time when you are approaching a toll road. Payment is usually taken in cash, so make sure you have enough money with you in advance.