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

Rzeszów is the capital of the Podkarpackie voivodeship in south-eastern Poland, right by the Ukrainian border — hence a large community of drivers from Ukraine. The passenger-transport (taxi) license is issued by the Mayor of Rzeszów (Prezydent Miasta Rzeszowa) through the relevant department of Urząd Miasta Rzeszowa. 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. The local market is steady: beyond city rides on Bolt, Uber and FreeNow, there's constant traffic to Rzeszów–Jasionka airport (RZE). Below is the breakdown. If you want to start faster, 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 Rzeszów, 2026. If you already have medical certificates or a clean criminal record on file — less. EU/EEA citizens follow the same path but without a residence card. Confirm exact fees and the timeline with Urząd Miasta Rzeszowa — administrative rates can change.

What changed in 2024 (national rules)

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 Older guides on Google are outdated.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

• A Polish category B license is mandatory since the 17 June 2024 reform — specifically a Polish driving licence. Ukrainian, Belarusian, Georgian and other non-EU licenses no longer work for passenger transport. Exchange yours at WORD Rzeszów, sometimes with a re-test of theory and practice.
• In-person driver verification on the platforms started 1 October 2024: Bolt, Uber and FreeNow must check the driver's identity and documents in person. Remote registration without verifying originals no longer works.
• The passenger-transport license itself has been mandatory since 2020 — it is not new in 2024. The 2024 reform added the Polish-licence requirement and the in-person verification.
• 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 Podkarpackie voivodeship office website.
• The topography exam was abolished across all of Poland from 1 January 2020 (NOT in 2024). If a blog claims you must pass a Rzeszów topography exam — it's outdated info.
• Non-EU citizens need a valid legal residence title (e.g. a residence card) with a current expiry date — check the exact status requirements with the office; we deliberately do not state unverified conditions.

Who specifically needs the license in Rzeszów 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 side-gig as a taxi driver in Rzeszów on weekends or take evening rides from Jasionka, you need it upfront, even for 1 ride per week.

Full document checklist

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

1. Wniosek o udzielenie licencji — passenger-transport license application. Downloadable from bip.erzeszow.pl 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 — a requirement of the 17.06.2024 reform.
3. Proof of legal residence (non-EU citizens) with a current expiry date. Check the exact status requirements with the office — we don't state unverified conditions.
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 in Rzeszów: 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 Miasto Rzeszów account.

Total cost — every line item (approximate)

Full "all-in" cost for Rzeszów 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.

Where exactly to apply in Rzeszów

The passenger-transport (taxi) license in Rzeszów is issued by the Mayor of Rzeszów through the relevant department of Urząd Miasta Rzeszowa. Approximate details (confirm on bip.erzeszow.pl):

• Urząd Miasta Rzeszowa — main site erzeszow.pl, documents and forms — on bip.erzeszow.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 (punkty 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 Rzeszów in 2024-2026: