A security deposit is required by car rental companies whenever you book a rental car (look below for exceptions).
Generally, the rental company will freeze a certain amount of money from your credit card at pick-up and return it to you after the rental period is over.
It is a safety precaution taken by the suppliers to ensure that they are covered in case of any additional fees, such as a cleaning fee or a parking violation that happened during your rental period.
If the rental car is damaged, the cost of repair will be deducted from your deposit, too.
The security deposit will usually be the equivalent of your total rental price, plus a few hundred euros on top.
In some cases, the amount may surpass thousands of euros, whilst in others, there may not be any deposit at all.
Can you rent a car without a security deposit?
Security deposit policies vary depending on the rental car company, the country you’re in, and the type of car you’re after.
Some rental car companies offer an extra protection package that reduces the security deposit, along with the reduction of excess.
Keep in mind that the security deposit will raise together with the value of the rental car.
If you’re booking a convertible, for example, expect the deposit to be higher.
Rentalmoose insider tip: Car rental deals with extremely low daily rates that seem too good to be true often have a big catch. In most cases, both the excess and the security deposit are enormous.
Always double-check the excess and deposit before finalizing the booking to avoid unpleasant surprises at the rental desk.
How and when will you pay the security deposit?
The security deposit for your rental car will be paid at the rental counter right before you pick the car up.
The vast majority of rental companies will require a credit card in the renter’s name for the deposit, ensure that your card limit doesn’t surpass the security deposit.
Some car rental companies will allow the renter to pay the deposit by debit card, though it is not common.
If you’re unsure whether or not you can pay by debit card, it’s best to check with the rental company before the pick-up date.
On rare occasions, you will be able to pay for the security deposit in cash.
Keep in mind that though this may be possible when booking through local rental companies in some holiday destinations, large suppliers do not allow to pay the deposit in cash.
Double-check your credit card limit to ensure that you have enough funds to cover the security deposit.
Don’t forget that the credit card has to be in the name of the renter.
When will you get your rental car deposit back?
The security deposit should return to you within 2 weeks, counting from the end of the rental period.
Note that larger suppliers tend to return the deposit quicker than small, local companies. If you’ve rented your car from a company like Hertz or Europcar, you can expect the deposit to come back to your account within a few working days.
Did you rent a car during peak season? Expect delays, even with the larger suppliers.
If it’s been over 15 working days and you haven’t received your deposit, get in touch directly with the rental company and ask for an update.
Can you lose a security deposit?
If you accumulate any traffic offenses or parking violations during your rental period, the rental company will charge you for them (plus any applicable service fee, read the supplier’s T&Cs for details) and deduct the amount from your deposit.
This includes tickets from speed cameras or unpaid parking fees.
If the returned rental car is damaged, the repair cost will be deducted from your deposit, too.
Lastly, any additional fees can be deducted from your deposit. For example, if you’re late when dropping the rental car off, you are subject to a late drop-off fee.
Be sure to check out this blog post to learn how you can protect yourself against unfair damage charges during your rental period.
How much is a rental car deposit?
The security deposit for a rental car is typically around the same as the excess, or deductible, plus a fee for a full tank of gas.
The excess is the largest amount you’d have to pay in the event of damage to the rental car, you can learn more about excess in this blog post.
That said, the cost of a security deposit can vary greatly depending on the company and country, as well as the car class you’re renting.
Remember that different suppliers can have various deposit charges for the same car class. If you have a low credit card limit, be sure to compare offers from different rental companies before booking.
Keep in mind that less popular regions tend to have higher security deposits. For example, when booking a rental car with Europcar in Bolivia, the security deposit equals the total rental estimate plus an additional 1500 USD.
In comparison, if you rent a car through the same supplier in Cyprus, the security deposit will equal the total rental estimate plus 300 EUR.
You can check this chart by Europcar for their car rental deposits in every country.
Don’t forget to book your next rental car through Rentalmoose. Our platform offers thousands of rental cars from trusted suppliers all across the world. Browse from over 15 000 different locations and find your ideal car today.
We plant a tree for every rental car booked with us, as a way of contributing towards a better tomorrow. Find out more about us here.
What are some of the extra car rental fees I should look out for? How can I avoid unexpected car rental surcharges? Thousands of renters ask these crucial questions every day.
Renting a car during your holiday is a great experience. Forget about the stress of missing the next bus, there is no need to worry about finding enough space for your luggage. Not to mention the freedom to alter your travel plans on the go, the convenience of a rental car is irreplaceable.
Before booking your rental car, it’s best to have a look through the car rental company’s terms and conditions. Otherwise, you might face additional fees that could drain your holiday budget. You could end up overpaying a lot!
For your maximum convenience, we’ve prepared a list of some of the unexpected extra fees that you might face when renting a car. If you’re aware of them, you will be able to avoid them and keep the cost of the car rental to an absolute minimum.
Continue reading to learn all about extra car rental fees and how to avoid them.
Let’s jump into the most common car rental fees, check them out below.
Extra Fees For Additional Equipment
If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll need to rent a children’s seat. Going skiing up in the mountains? A roof rack might be necessary.
Additional extras such as infant seats, external GPS, roof racks, or snow chains, will all increase the daily price of your rental car. The fees vary depending on the rental company, as well as the location.
For example, Europcar equips all rental cars in Poland with a special winter package (winter tires, winter washing fluid, and an ice scraper) during the winter season. Therefore, every Europcar rental car booked in Poland during the winter has an added fee of 4 EUR per day, without exceeding 60 EUR per rental.
Young (and Senior) Driver Fee
Bad news for young drivers and seniors. The vast majority of car rental companies will add a young driver fee if the driver is under 25 years old. What’s more, young drivers may not have access to the entire fleet. Seniors face similar surcharges, too.
On top of all this, most rental companies require the driver to be at least 21 years old to be able to rent a car at all. If you’ve had your driving license for less than a year, that can be a problem too.
That sweet convertible might have to wait until you’re at least 25 years old.
Fees vary depending on the car rental company. For example, Alamo charges an extra $19 (16 EUR) per day if the driver is between 21 and 24 years old. This applies to all their rental cars in Michigan, United States.
Rentalmoose strongly recommends reading the rental company’s terms and conditions before booking your rental car.
Additional Driver Fee
Are you planning a long road trip with your friends who all want to drive? Perhaps you’re going on a romantic honeymoon and your partner wants to get behind the wheel, too?
Adding an additional driver can be a lifesaver in a number of different scenarios. Keep in mind, however, that adding an extra driver will result in a surcharge of at least 10 EUR per day.
Although there is an extra fee for additional drivers, there are a number of exceptions. If you’re going to California, the state law prevents the car rental company from adding a surcharge for additional drivers.
Remember that any extra driver should be listed in the rental contract, even if there is no extra charge.
Some car rental companies, like Enterprise or Avis, waive the fee if the additional driver is a spouse, domestic partner, or even a business partner.
Policies vary depending on each company and rental location. Check the rental terms and conditions to see the exact rates for your rental.
Airport Pick-Up or Drop-off, Premium Location Surcharge
Sure, picking up your rental car directly at the airport terminal is as convenient as it gets. Sadly, in the world of car rentals you will often find yourself paying more for that extra touch of convenience.
Most rental companies will add a special fee for picking up the rental car at premium locations, such as airports, large train stations, or other transportation hubs. This is usually referred to as the premium location surcharge, airport pick-up fee, etc.
If you want to save a few bucks on your next rental car, you may want to skip the airport and pick your rental car up from the city instead.
Different Drop-Off Location Fee
One-way car rentals are great. You can see the best parts of your destination without the hassle of driving all the way back to your starting point to return the rental car.
Often times, a one-way trip will raise the price of your rental. Car rental companies will add a drop-off surcharge when dropping the car off at another location. The fee varies depending on the car rental company and the distance between pick-up and drop-off points.
For example, if you’re planning to pick your car up at London Gatwick Airport and drop it off at London Heathrow, expect the drop-off fee to be up to 50 pounds (55 EUR).
The fee can be paid when picking up your rental car.
Cross-Border Fee- Taking Your Rental Car Across Country Borders
Did you know that you can rent a car for cross-border road trips? If you’re planning a journey across European nations, from the US to Canada, or between any other countries, make sure to notify the car rental company first!
Otherwise, you breach your rental agreement by driving in another country. As a result, you won’t be covered by insurance and will have to pay for any damage or theft yourself.
Cross-border fees depend on the rental company and destination, check the rental terms and conditions to be sure. If you’re planning to drive from Spain to Portugal, for example, expect to pay up to 90 EUR extra for your rental.
Highway Toll Fees
If you’re unaware of major toll roads in your holiday destination, your affordable rental car might soon turn into a financial nightmare, especially if the tolls can’t be paid directly in cash.
Some toll roads across the world require a contactless transponder. In this case, the rental company will likely charge you an extra fee for the transponder on top of any toll fees during your rental period.
If you drive through a contactless toll booth without a transponder, the bill will be mailed to the rental company and then forwarded to you, along with an extra administrative fee.
Fees for transponders vary depending on the company and destination. It’s best to double-check with the car rental company before finalizing your booking.
Don’t forget that some countries, such as Switzerland, require all cars to have a highway vignette to use the highway. Although vignettes are usually supplied by the rental company, Rentalmoose recommends double-checking when picking up the car.
Getting caught without one will result in a hefty ticket.
No-Show Fee- If You Don’t Pick Your Rental Car Up At All
If you know you’re not going to pick up your rental car, be sure to cancel the booking as early as possible. Rentalmoose bookings canceled at least 48 hours before the scheduled pick-up will be refunded. If you’re canceling less than 48 hours before pick-up, there won’t be any refund.
Contrary to popular belief, rental cars don’t wait for renters. If you’re running late for pick-up, make sure to notify the rental company.
Each company has a certain “grace period” before presuming you won’t show up at all, usually between 30 and 120 minutes.
If the grace period is over, your rental car could be given to another renter and you will not be refunded for the rental. Once again, make sure to read the rental company’s terms and conditions before finalizing your booking.
Sneaky Car Rental Fees During Drop-Off
Late Drop-Off- What Happens When You Don’t Return Your Rental Car On Time
Similarly to running late for pick-up, it’s in your best interest to return your rental car on time. There is a grace period for late drop-offs, just like late pick-ups, and it typically lasts up to 30 minutes. What happens next varies depending on the car rental company.
Once you pass the grace period, most companies will charge you on an hourly basis for the next hours.
If you don’t return the car until later in the day, you will be charged a full day rate, plus any applicable late fees (check your rental contract).
Planning to extend your rental period? Notify your car rental company. If you decide to return the car after the drop-off without prior notice, you will end up paying a lot more.
The grace period, as well as any late drop-off surcharges, are mentioned in the car rental company’s terms and conditions, and the rental agreement.
Make sure to have a look at the T&C’s before booking your car.
Losing or Damaging The Car Keys or Documents
Losing the keys to a rental car can be a dreadful experience. Some car rental companies offer a roadside assistance package that waives a lost key fee. If you’re forgetful, consider adding the package to your rental.
If your roadside assistance package doesn’t cover lost keys, or you haven’t added the package at all, a lost key will turn out very pricey. Renters can expect to cover the cost of a tow truck that will take the locked car back to the rental location, as well as a hefty fee for the key itself.
If you do happen to lose a key to your rental car, be sure to get in touch with the car rental company.
Surpassing The Mileage Limit
Rental cars with a limited number of kilometers are common in Europe and parts of Asia. In North America, however, nearly every single rental deal comes with unlimited miles included in the price.
If you’re planning to stick to one city, a rental car with limited mileage might be the perfect option for you. The daily cost will be cheaper, and you will be able to drive anywhere between 50km (30 miles) to 400km (250 miles) per day.
Planning a road trip? A rental car with unlimited mileage is the way to go. You won’t have to worry about driving too much, though it can cost extra to book.
If you’ve booked a rental car with a mileage limit and ended up surpassing it by drop-off, you will be charged an extra fee. Rental companies will calculate the fee based on each kilometer over the limit.
Fees vary depending on the car rental company, check the terms and conditions to find the precise fee for your rental.
Fuel Surcharge
The fuel policy for car rentals is typically full-to-full. This means that you receive your rental car with a full tank of fuel, and are expected to return it with a full tank as well.
If you know you won’t have the time to refill before dropping the car off, you can add a full tank of fuel when booking the car. That way, you’ll pay for the refueling in advance.
What happens if you drop the rental car off with less fuel? Given that you haven’t paid for refueling in advance, you will be charged an additional fee by the rental company. You will be charged per liter, as well as a service fee.
The best way to avoid this fee is to fill up the tank completely right before dropping the car off. That way, you don’t risk having to pay an extra fee for refueling after you leave.
Cleaning Fee- Don’t Return A Dirty Rental Car
Car rental companies don’t expect their rental cars to come sparkly clean. However, Rentalmoose highly recommends cleaning your rental car before drop-off if necessary. If the rental car returns dirty, the renter is subject to a cleaning fee.
The fee varies depending on the company and the amount of dirt. A rental car cleaning fee typically starts at around 20 EUR and can build up to over 400 EUR.
How do you know if your rental car is clean enough? In most cases, a quick visit to a carwash before drop-off will be sufficient and a lot cheaper than covering the cleaning fee. If you’ve been to a sandy beach, don’t forget to vacuum the interior, too!
Smoking Fee
Even as a smoker, it’s highly recommended to avoid smoking in rental cars at all.
Most car rental companies have a zero-tolerance policy for smoking in the rental car and will charge you a costly fee if any traces of smoking are found within the car.
Don’t forget that in some countries smoking while driving is forbidden by law. In other countries, drivers who smoke with minors in the vehicle can receive a penalty, too.
In the best case, you will be charged around 50 EUR for a cleaning fee if the car smells like smoke. However, if there is any interior damage you can end up paying hundreds, if not thousands of euros.
To avoid any misunderstandings, it’s best to refrain from smoking in the rental car.
Damaged Rental Car
Car rental companies expect the rental car to come in a less-than-ideal condition. Hertz mentions that their rental cars are “subject to fine wear and tear”, such as minor scratches and chips, dents, and wear on tires and wiper blades. What happens if there is more damage?
Unlucky accidents can happen to anyone, especially when driving in a foreign country. Rental cars worldwide are equipped with three basic insurance coverage plans: a Collision Damage Waiver, Theft Protection, and Third Party Liability.
Don’t forget that the Collision Damage Waiver doesn’t cover the entire car! It only covers the body of the car. Damage to any other parts has to be paid by the renter, unless you select additional insurance.
In case of an accident, the renter might have to put some money towards the repair cost. The maximum amount you can pay is referred to as the excess. The excess is usually taken from your security deposit.
What’s more, you can purchase additional insurance coverage that will reduce your excess. That way, you will have to pay less in the event of an accident. Some companies even offer “zero excess” packages.
If you do happen to get in an accident with your rental car, be sure to contact the authorities and ensure that everyone is safe. Remember to document precisely what had happened.
Returning The Car At A Different Location
If you’ve had a spontaneous change of plans and would like to return the car at a different location than the one in your rental agreement, be sure to contact the car rental company immediately.
If you decide to drop the car off at a different location without prior authorization from the rental company, you are subject to enormous fees.
Always do your best to return the car at the location which is specified in your rental agreement. If that’s not possible, contact the rental company.
Surprising Car Rental Fees After Returning Home
Traffic Fines
You can be charged by the car rental company even once you’re back home from your holiday. Any traffic fines created during the rental period that are mailed to the rental company, including evidence from speed cameras or unpaid tolls, will then be forwarded to you.
What’s more, you will have to pay an extra administrative fee for any collected fine, on top of the tickets themselves. If you drive safely without breaking traffic laws, you won’t face such fees.
Parking Fines
Similar to traffic offenses, any unsettled parking fines mailed to the car rental company will be forwarded to you. The car rental company will also add an administrative fee on top of the fine itself.
How can you avoid these fees? Your best bet is to park your rental car legally in designated parking spaces.
These are the most common extra fees you can expect when renting a car. Once again, make sure to read through the rental agreement, as well as the rental company’s T&Csbefore finalizing the booking.
Being aware of these fees will make it a lot easier to avoid them.
Are you renting a car in Poland? Check out these useful tips when driving in Poland.
Downtown Warsaw photographed by Rudy and Peter Skitterians.
Poland is the perfect under-the-radar tourist destination in Central Europe, and the ideal place for a road trip. Learn all about the official driving laws in Poland, including regulations, speed limits and the tolling system on highways, as well as insider tips.
Poland has nearly everything you can expect from a road trip destination: scenic roads, dramatic and diverse landscapes, historic cities and modern highway connections to other European nations. Not to mention the affordable eateries of all kinds and budget-friendly accommodation options scattered around the nation.
Before you begin driving in Poland, there are some important tips you should be aware of.
Do you need an International Driving Permit to drive in Poland?
First of all, let’s establish what kind of documents tourists need to obtain in order to legally drive and rent a car in Poland.
The case is very simple for travelers who are holders of EU-issued driver’s licenses or licenses issued in EFTA member states (European Free Trade Association, list of members here), as they can drive in Poland without any limitations. This includes drivers whose driving licenses were issued in countries such as Germany, Italy or Norway.
If your driving license was issued in one of the countries that signed the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic (check the list here), you can drive with your domestic license up to 6 months in Poland, as long as you are over 18 years old. Additionally, Poland recognizes domestic licenses issued in Japan and South Korea.
Tourists who have a domestic driving license issued in a different country will need to obtain an International Driving Permit in their home country prior to leaving.
Check out this blog post to learn more about IDP’s. Remember that an International Driving Permit is only valid alongside your driving license, keep both documents on you at all times. This includes drivers whose driving licenses were issued in countries such as the United States of America or China.
What are the speed limits in Poland?
In the past, I’ve had misinformed friends who believed that highways in Poland don’t have speed limits. The confusion likely comes from the fact that some segments of the Autobahn, highways in Germany, are unrestricted. However, this is not the case in Poland. Polish highways have a speed limit of 140 kilometers per hour (87 mph).
When it comes to urban zones such as cities or small towns, the speed limit is 50 kilometers per hour (31 MPH). On some roads within urban areas, the speed limit is raised to 60 km/h (37 MPH) between 11 PM and 5 AM.
If a road sign informs that you’ve entered an urban zone (the sign shows a city skyline, click here to see it), you can drive up to 60 kilometers per hour between 11 PM and 5 AM, unless other signs state otherwise (i.e. a 50km/h speed limit sign).
Roads close to schools or around city centers have a speed limit decreased all the way to 30km/h (19 MPH) or in some cases even 20 kilometers per hour (12 MPH). On the other hand, some multi-lane roads in large cities will have a speed limit increased up to 70 or 80 km/h (43 or 50 MPH). Pay attention to road signs at all times.
Outside of urban areas, the general speed limits are:
90 km/h (56 MPH)- single-lane roads
100 km/h (62 MPH)- multi-lane roads
100 km/h (62 MPH)- single-lane express roads
120 km/h (75 MPH)- multi-lane express roads
140km/h (87 MPH)- highways
Keep in mind that some areas could have lower speed limits, for example due to construction work or pedestrian crossings. Always pay attention to the road signs to avoid speeding.
Cracow’s Old Town photographed by Konrad Krajewski.
Are roads in Poland good?
Poland is still behind other European countries in terms of road infrastructure. The highway network is a fraction of the Autobahn network in Germany, and some of the backroads are in absolutely terrible condition.
That said, the last decade has seen lots of improvement across the country. Most of the main cities are now conveniently connected by either highways or multi-lane expressways, significantly cutting down travel times.
Backroads, especially around the countryside and less-popular areas, are still narrow and filled with potholes, but they can now be avoided in favor of the recently-built roads. If you do have to drive along the less-than-ideal backroads, be extra cautious. Look out for potholes and do your best to avoid these types of roads at night, as they’re often not illuminated at all.
Are there toll roads in Poland?
Most of the roads in Poland are free to use, except for some segments of the major highways. As of 2020, there are 3 paid highways in Poland.
The first paid highway is the A2, specifically the stretch starting in Łódź and continuing west all the way to the German border. Keep in mind that there are two separate companies that own the toll booths. Check the current fees for the A2 between Świecko (German border) and Konin here. The fees can be paid by cash or card directly at the toll booths.
The A1 highway is paid as well, specifically the sector between Rusocin and Nowa Wieś. The fees can be settled by cash or credit card directly at the booths. You can find the current fees on the official website.
The final paid highway is the A4. Similarly to the A2, there are two different segments operated by two companies. The fees for the first stretch between Kraków and Wrocław can be found here. The fee calculator for the segment between Wrocław and Sośnica can be found on this website, below the A2 fees. Once again, fees can be paid directly at the toll booths using cash or credit cards.
Keep in mind that you can experience long queues at the A1 toll booths near Gdańsk during the summer peak times (July, August), especially on weekends. Expect to wait as long as 2 hours during peak hours.
Can you turn right on red in Poland?
In the United States, drivers are allowed to make right turns at intersections unless there are signs that don’t permit it. In Poland, similarly to the rest of Europe, that is not the case.
Turning right on red is only allowed on one specific condition. First of all, there has to be a green arrow located directly on the right-hand side of the traffic lights. Once the green arrow lights up, drivers are allowed to turn right. Expect traffic coming from both sides and pedestrians or cyclists at the crossings. In Poland, pedestrians and cyclists have the right of way at crossings, be sure to let everyone through before you turn right.
Keep in mind that drivers are required to stop and check for oncoming traffic and pedestrians before turning right whenever the green arrow is lit-up. You can get a ticket if you turn right without stopping to check for traffic. If the green arrow is not illuminated, you may not turn right on a red light.
Are Polish traffic laws strict?
Poland has one of the highest traffic accident rates in all of Europe. Therefore, the government is continuously introducing new, strict traffic laws. This includes penalties for speeding and reckless driving as well as drink-driving. How strict are they exactly?
Penalties for drink-driving in Poland
To start with, there are lots of accidents caused by motorists driving drunk or under the influence of drugs. Drivers will be fined if the alcohol level in their bloodstream exceeds 0.02%. If it’s more than 0.05%, an appearance in court and a prison sentence is quite likely. Don’t drink and drive at all.
Penalties for speeding in Poland
Poland is infamous as the European hotspot for reckless and dangerous driving. While the number of reckless drivers has gone down in the last years, speeding is still a very common occurrence and the government keeps fighting it by introducing strict laws year by year.
On top of hefty tickets that have to be settled on the spot, drivers can lose their license for 3 months if they are caught exceeding the speed limit by 51 km/h and above in urban areas. It doesn’t matter whether you are a Polish citizen or a foreign tourist, your driving license will be taken away on the spot and you won’t be able to drive for three months. Driving licenses issued outside of Poland are then forwarded to relevant authorities in other countries.
If you do happen to lose your driving license in Poland due to speeding, the police will give you a special document that allows you to drive for 24 hours from the moment you have lost your license.
Did you receive a traffic ticket during your trip in Poland?
You have to settle the fine on the spot, unless you are a resident of Poland. From my own experience, I can confirm that the police are following these regulations very strictly and will not hesitate to write a hefty ticket on top of the driving license suspension.
Tatry Mountains photographed by Tadeusz Dziedzina.
What are some of the most common tourist scams in Poland?
Poland is generally safe for tourists, as long as you are aware of the common scams that often target tourists. Here are the most common scams you might fall victim to when driving in Poland:
The Parking “Assistants”
Trying to find a free parking space around the Old Town in Kraków or near the trendy stores at Mokotowska in Warsaw isn’t easy. It can get very frustrating, especially during peak hours and weekends. You might come across people guiding you to a free parking spot. If you park at the spot you were shown (in most cases it’s clearly visible from the street, hence their “help” isn’t exactly useful), the person will then demand payment for their services.
The Fake Police
This scam is thankfully nowhere near as popular as it was a decade ago, though it can still occur in some places around Poland. How does it work? Scammers will pull you over to the side of the road, convince you that you’ve broken some law and demand payment. The more sophisticated scammers can wear uniforms similar to those worn by law enforcement.
What else should you know about driving in Poland?
Your car lights need to be on at all times, during both day and night. Most rental cars come with daytime running lights, such lights are sufficient during the day. If your rental car doesn’t have daytime running lights, you always have to drive with your dipped beams.
When driving on a highway or multi-lane expressway, make sure to stay in the right lane. The left lane is strictly for overtaking. Drivers can get a ticket for driving on the left lane if the right one is free.
Be cautious when approaching pedestrian crossings and intersections. Pedestrians have the right of way on all pedestrian crossings and the same goes for cyclists at bike crossings.
All cars driving in Poland must have a fire extinguisher and an emergency warning triangle inside of the vehicle. Rental cars come equipped with both of them, but be sure to double-check before you set off, just in case.
Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants in a vehicle. Children below 150 centimeters tall need to have a child seat to ride in the front seat. Children above 135 centimeters who weigh over 36 kilograms don’t need a child seat when riding in the back seats. Occupants less than 135 centimeters tall need to have a child seat, regardless of which seat they’re riding in.
It is illegal to be on your phone while driving in Poland unless you are using a hands-free Bluetooth kit.
Don’t leave any valuables when you leave your car at public car parks. Poland is safe for tourists, but thefts do happen, just like in any other country. Especially in large cities and touristy areas.
Traffic in Poland is on the right-hand side of the road.
