Taxi license in Gdańsk 2026: step-by-step guide

Gdańsk is the heart of the Tricity (Trójmiasto: Gdańsk-Gdynia-Sopot), and demand for licensed drivers here swings with the tourist season and traffic from Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport (GDN). The passenger-transport (taxi) license is issued by the Mayor of Gdańsk (Prezydent Miasta Gdańska) through the relevant department of Urząd Miejski w Gdańsku. Since the 17 June 2024 reform, the rules for Bolt, Uber, FreeNow and yellow-taxi drivers are unified nationwide. From filing to decision the average wait is about 21 days, and the all-in cost is around 740 zł plus 100-300 zł for incidentals. Below is the breakdown. If you want to be ready before the summer peak, you can drive on a fleet partner's license without dealing with the office yourself.

Short answer in four numbers

These numbers assume "first time, all from scratch" in Gdańsk, 2026. If you already have medical certificates or a clean criminal record on file — less. EU/EEA citizens skip Karta Pobytu but still need certificates plus a Polish or EU cat. B license. Confirm exact fees and the timeline with Urząd Miejski w Gdańsku — administrative rates can change.

What changed on 17 June 2024 (national rules)

The reform ("Lex Uber") tightened rules across several fronts and applies the same in Gdańsk, Gdynia, Sopot and across Poland. Older guides on Google are outdated. The key points:

• Polish category B license is mandatory for everyone. Ukrainian, Belarusian, Georgian and other non-EU licenses no longer work for passenger transport. Exchange yours at WORD Gdańsk, sometimes with a re-test of theory and practice.
• In-person driver verification on the platform launched on 1 October 2024 — Bolt, Uber and FreeNow check that the driver matches the documents; remote registration without original-document verification no longer works.
• Karta Pobytu is mandatory for non-EU citizens. A Schengen visa or national D visa is not enough. You need a residence card with sufficient remaining validity — check the current residence-card validity requirements with the office.
• Minimum age 21 plus driving experience; clean criminal record — for offenses against life and health, sexual freedom, and traffic safety.
• Medical and psychological exams from authorized practitioners (occupational doctor / transport psychologist). Lists are on the Pomorskie voivodeship office website in Gdańsk.
• The passenger-transport license itself has been mandatory since 2020 — it is not new in 2024. The 2024 reform tightened the driving-license and verification requirements.
• The topography exam was abolished across all of Poland from 1 January 2020 — including Gdańsk. If a blog claims you must pass a Tricity topography exam — it's outdated info.

Who specifically needs the license in Gdańsk in 2026

Different services, different rules. Here's the table:

Couriers on bicycles or scooters don't need a license — but if you plan to drive airport transfers from GDN or side-gig as a taxi driver in Gdańsk on weekends, you need it upfront, even for 1 ride per week.

Full document checklist

Gather it all before going to the Gdańsk office — saves at least one wasted trip:

1. Wniosek o udzielenie licencji — passenger-transport license application. Downloadable from BIP Gdańsk or filled in on-site. Available via ePUAP if you have a profil zaufany.
2. Copy of Polish cat. B license (or EU/EEA equivalent). Non-EU licenses must be exchanged for Polish ones before filing.
3. Karta Pobytu (non-EU citizens) — original + copy. With sufficient validity — check the current residence-card validity requirements with the office.
4. Zaświadczenie o niekaralności (KRK) — clean criminal record certificate, valid up to 30 days. Online via e-KRK for 20 zł, or in person for 30 zł.
5. Orzeczenie lekarskie — medical certificate from an authorized occupational doctor. Cost: 150-250 zł.
6. Orzeczenie psychologiczne — psychological assessment from an authorized transport psychologist. Cost: 150-300 zł.
7. Proof of payment — license fee receipt (200 zł for 2-15 years) + wypis (~2 zł per car, 1% of the fee). Pay to the Gmina Miasta Gdańska account.

Total cost — every line item (approximate)

Full "all-in" cost for Gdańsk 2026, 5-year license, one car. The license fee is national and depends on the validity period:

Lifehack: pick 5-15 years on first application. Same price (200 zł) as 2 years, validity 2-7× longer. Wypis for each additional car — separate fee, +11% of the base (≈22 zł); the wypis for the main car is 1% (≈2 zł).

Step-by-step plan: zero to license in 3 weeks

Done in parallel (2-3 items per day) — realistic 14-21 days. One after another — 4-6 weeks. Before the Tricity summer peak, finish with time to spare.

Where exactly to apply in Gdańsk

The passenger-transport (taxi) license in Gdańsk is issued by the Mayor of Gdańsk through the relevant department of Urząd Miejski w Gdańsku. Approximate details (confirm on bip.gdansk.pl):

• Urząd Miejski w Gdańsku — main site gdansk.pl, documents and forms — on bip.gdansk.pl
• Transport license matters are handled by the relevant city department — check the exact department name and address in the BIP (the structure is occasionally reorganized)
• Citizen service points (Zespoły Obsługi Mieszkańców) operate at several locations across the city
• Office hours are usually Mon-Fri; walk-in queues are possible — book a slot

Online via ePUAP: with a profil zaufany you can submit the wniosek electronically. Originals still need one in-person visit for verification.

Frequently asked questions

Answers that didn't fit in the main text:

Common pitfalls — where weeks and money disappear

From real driver experiences obtaining the license in Gdańsk in 2024-2026: