Poland vehicle regulations for lost license plates

In Poland, drivers who lose a vehicle license plate due to accidents, loose fittings, or heavy rain must follow specific legal procedures. Regulations require vehicles to be properly marked, and driving without a plate can lead to serious consequences.

Owners have up to 30 days to apply for a replacement plate through the appropriate registration authority, such as a district starosty or city office. There are two main options: requesting a duplicate of the lost plate with the existing registration number, which requires a formal statement of loss, or applying for new plates with a new registration number.

To allow for legal travel while waiting for replacements, owners can apply for temporary permission and legalized temporary license plates. Using makeshift solutions, such as writing numbers on paper or cardboard, is not legally recognized and is not a valid substitute.