Poland exempts cars with trailers from e‑TOLL and retains rigid penalty rules

From 21 September 2026, vehicles with a total authorised mass up to 3.5 tonnes that are pulling a trailer will no longer be required to use the e‑TOLL system. Drivers can apply for a refund of any unused prepaid funds or guarantees within six months of the law’s entry into force, i.e., until 21 March 2027, after which the vehicle data will be removed from the e‑TOLL register. Unclaimed funds will be transferred to the National Road Fund.

The Ministry of Infrastructure is also preparing reforms to the e‑TOLL penalty regime. While a revised catalogue of violations and a new sanction‑setting mechanism are planned, the ministry has ruled out allowing individual adjustments of fines. The Polish Ombudsman has raised concerns that the existing penalties may breach EU rules on proportionality, but the government maintains a strict, non‑flexible approach to sanctions.