National Research Coordinator (KKPB)

About the Coordinator

Mission and statutory basis

The National Research Coordinator (KKPB) is a body established under the Act of 21 November 2025, responsible for overseeing the testing of automated and fully automated vehicles on public roads in Poland.

The function of KKPB is exercised by the Director of the Motor Transport Institute. KKPB is supervised by the minister responsible for transport.

Statutory duties

KKPB performs four roles set out directly in the Act.

Administrative authority

Issues research permits and administrative decisions (refusals, amendments, revocations).

Public registry

Maintains a publicly available registry of issued permits (Art. 65l(10)(3)).

Inspection and monitoring

Monitors compliance with permit conditions, appoints observers, and reviews risk analyses.

International cooperation

Cooperates with foreign coordinators on cross-border research projects.

Important — application language

The application and all attachments must be submitted in Polish. Documents originally in a foreign language must be accompanied by a sworn translation into Polish.

For applicants — permit in 6 steps

Procedure for obtaining a permit to conduct research with an automated vehicle of automation level 3, 4 or 5.

1
Verify need
Is it Level 3+?
2
Prepare the vehicle
Recorder, insurance,
ISO 26262
3
Pay the fee
Check the amount in the fee calculator
4
Complete and submit application
+ 10 attachments
5
KKPB decision
Administrative decision
6
Conduct the research
Comply with ongoing obligations
1

Check whether you need a permit

  • Levels 0–2 (e.g. adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist): no permit required (Art. 65l(3)).
  • Levels 3–5: a permit is required.
  • If in doubt, contact KKPB before submitting your application.
2

Prepare the vehicle and documentation

  • The vehicle complies with the requirements set out in Art. 66(1) and (4)(1)–(4).
  • Image recorder (front, rear, interior) and interior audio recorder.
  • Hazard analysis and risk assessment in accordance with ISO 26262.
  • Motor third-party liability (MTPL) insurance of the vehicle holder.
  • Internal simulation testing and physical trials on closed test tracks.
3

Pay the fee

  • One voivodeship — from PLN 4,250 (statutory maximum: PLN 20,000)
  • Two to five voivodeships — from PLN 5,250 to PLN 13,750 (statutory maximum: PLN 40,000)
  • Permit amendment — from PLN 1,000 to PLN 3,000
  • In the event of refusal — 70% of the fee is refunded (Art. 65l(24)).
4

Complete and submit the application

  • Application on the official form: details of the organiser and vehicle owner; geographic area (max. 5 voivodeships); purpose and scope of the activities; vehicle details (VIN, automation level).
  • Attachments: liability insurance policy, four declarations under penalty of perjury, risk analysis, organiser's declaration, proof of payment.
  • Submission: paper form (to the ITS address) or electronic (e-Delivery) signed with a qualified, trusted or personal electronic signature.
5

KKPB reviews the application

  • Reviews the completeness of the application and the adequacy of the risk analysis and safety declarations.
  • The permit is issued for a maximum period of three years.
  • KKPB promptly notifies the Voivodeship Police Commander, the State Fire Service, and the relevant traffic management authority (Art. 65l(17)).
  • A refusal may be appealed to the minister responsible for transport.
6

Conduct the research activities

  • Notify the start of activities at least 7 days in advance.
  • A driver capable of taking over control must be present in the vehicle.
  • Every road incident must be reported to KKPB together with recorder data (retained for 12 months).
  • Final report — no later than 30 days after the conclusion of activities.

Key information for applicants

Points whose omission most often results in refusal or a financial penalty.

Operating without a permit = financial penalty

PLN 100,000–200,000 for conducting activities without a permit (Art. 140mc(2)(1)).

PLN 20,000–100,000 for breach of permit conditions. The penalty is imposed by the Voivodeship Road Transport Inspector.

Every incident requires notification

Any accident involving a research vehicle must be reported to KKPB immediately, together with recorder data.

Records must be retained for 12 months from the date of the incident.

Permit limits

Geographic area: up to 5 voivodeships.

Validity period: up to 3 years.

Applies to vehicles with automation level 3, 4 or 5.

70% fee refund in the event of refusal

If the issuance or amendment of a permit is refused, KKPB shall refund 70% of the fee ex officio within 30 days of the decision becoming final (Art. 65l(24))

Adding a vehicle without a new application

During the permit validity period, you may replace or add vehicles (up to 7 in total) without filing an amendment application and without paying an additional fee.

Requirement: notify KKPB at least 7 days in advance (Art. 65l(8)).

Notification deadlines

Start or end of activities — at least 7 days in advance.

Changes to data or documents — within 14 days of the change.

Final report — no later than 30 days after the conclusion of activities.

Fees

Fee rates in accordance with the regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure (25.06.2026), issued pursuant to Art. 65l(26) of the Road Traffic Act. Rates are progressive and cannot exceed the statutory maximums (Art. 65l(23)).

A. Issuance of a permit (§ 2 of the MI regulation)

Fee component Rate Statutory basis
Fixed amount — per voivodeship covered (max. 5 voivodeships) 1 000 zł / voivodeship § 2(2) MI reg.
Supplement for number of traffic management authorities — up to 10 authorities 2 500 zł § 2(3)(1) MI reg.
Supplement for traffic management authorities — 11–20 authorities 5 000 zł § 2(3)(2) MI reg.
Supplement for traffic management authorities — more than 20 authorities 7 000 zł § 2(3)(3) MI reg.
Supplement per each commenced year of the permit 250 zł / year § 2(4) MI reg.
Supplement per vehicle at automation level SAE 3–4 100 zł / vehicle § 2(5) MI reg.
Supplement per fully automated vehicle (SAE 5) 150 zł / vehicle § 2(5) MI reg.
Combined vehicle supplement — cap 1 000 zł (max.) § 2(5) MI reg.
Example (minimum scenario): 1 voi. × PLN 1,000 + up to 10 auth. PLN 2,500 + 1 yr × PLN 250 + 5 veh. SAE4 × PLN 100 = PLN 4,250 (statutory max: PLN 20,000)

B. Amendment of a permit (§ 3 of the MI regulation)

Fee component Rate Statutory basis
Fixed amount (every permit amendment) 1 000 zł § 3(2) MI reg.
Change of vehicle data 50 zł / change § 3(3)(1) MI reg.
Change of OC insurance data 50 zł / change § 3(3)(2) MI reg.
Addition of a new vehicle to the research activities 100 zł / vehicle § 3(3)(3) MI reg.
Change of the duration of research activities 500 zł / change § 3(3)(4) MI reg.
Change of the area of research activities 1 000 zł / change § 3(3)(5) MI reg.
Change of the conditions of research activities 1 000 zł / change § 3(3)(6) MI reg.
Total amendment fee — cap 3 000 zł (max.) § 3(3) MI reg.

How to pay — bank transfer details

Recipient
Motor Transport Institute
ul. Jagiellońska 80, 03-301 Warszawa
Account number (IBAN)
PL 16 1240 6074 1111 0000 4990 8299
Payment reference
"KKPB — permit application — [organiser name]"
When to pay
Before submitting the application — proof of payment is a mandatory attachment (Art. 65l(13)(10)).
Foreign transfers: we accept payments in EUR, USD and GBP — amounts are converted at the average NBP exchange rate of the day preceding the receipt of funds in the ITS account. Foreign transfer references should also include the organiser's tax ID or registration number.
Fee refund in the event of refusal. If issuance or amendment of a permit is refused, KKPB shall refund 70% of the fee paid ex officio within 30 days of the refusal becoming final (Art. 65l(24)).

Documents

Official templates, declarations and supporting materials. Mandatory documents are available in editable (DOCX).

# Document Format Legal basis Download
1 Application for issuance of a permit
Official template specified in the Minister of Infrastructure's regulation
DOCX Art. 65l(5) and (11) ↓ Download
2 Application for amendment of a permit
Change of area, vehicle or management arrangements
DOCX Art. 65l(8) and (12) ↓ Download
3 Declaration of compliance with vehicle technical requirements
Under penalty of criminal liability (Art. 233 § 6 of the Criminal Code)
DOCX Art. 65l(13)(6) and (15) ↓ Download
4 Declaration on the conduct of simulation tests and physical trials
Wording prescribed by statute
DOCX Art. 65l(13)(7) and (16) ↓ Download
5 Declaration of payment of liability insurance premium DOCX Art. 65l(13)(2) ↓ Download
6 Declaration that the vehicle is equipped with a recorder DOCX Art. 65l(13)(8) ↓ Download
7 Organiser's declaration that the activities will not pose a risk to road safety DOCX Art. 65l(13)(5) ↓ Download
8 Template for the research activities report
To be submitted within 30 days of completion of the activities
DOCX Art. 65n(1)(5) and (2) ↓ Download

Permit registry

List of permits issued for conducting research on automated vehicles. Published pursuant to the disclosure obligation under Art. 65l(10)(3).

0 entries in the registry
Permit number Organiser Status Area Level Valid until
The registry does not yet contain any entries. The first permits will be published once issued.
Note: the registry does not contain personal data or information constituting an organiser's trade secret. Data can be exported in CSV or JSON format. Download data (CSV) · Registry API

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the questions most frequently raised during the application process.

Do I need a permit if my vehicle is at automation level 2?
No. Under Art. 65l(3) of the Act, conducting research on vehicles below automation level 3 does not require a KKPB permit. This covers, for example, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and automatic parking. The full definitions of the levels are set out in Annex 3 to the Act.
How long does KKPB take to review an application?
The Act does not set a fixed deadline. The general deadlines of the Code of Administrative Procedure apply (as a rule, one month, or up to two months in particularly complex cases). KKPB endeavours to issue decisions as promptly as possible once the complete documentation has been received.
May I conduct research outside the area specified in the application?
No. The permit specifies the voivodeships, locations and roads on which activities may be carried out. Conducting activities outside this area constitutes a breach of permit conditions and is punishable by a fine of PLN 20,000 to 100,000 (Art. 140mc(2)(2)). To change the area, you must file an application for permit amendment.
How are the 7 days before the start of activities counted — calendar or business days?
The Act uses the general term "days". In administrative practice this means calendar days. We recommend notifying the start of activities with more advance than the minimum 7 days, to allow KKPB to inform the relevant authorities (Police, State Fire Service, traffic management)
Does a KKPB observer have access to trade secrets?
An observer appointed by KKPB is required to maintain confidentiality and protect the trade secrets of the organiser and other entities (Art. 65m(4)). The observer signs a declaration of confidentiality and absence of conflicts of interest under penalty of perjury. KKPB notifies the organiser of an observer's appointment at least 3 days before the observer takes part in the activities.
May I designate a person holding a driving licence from another EU country to operate the vehicle?
Yes, provided that the person holds driving privileges corresponding to the category of the research vehicle under Polish rules on the recognition of EU driving licences. That person is regarded as the driver (Art. 65n(1)(6)(a)) and is covered by the mandatory third-party liability insurance.
What happens to the vehicle once the research activities have been completed?
Vehicles used exclusively for research and development may not be resold (Art. 65l(4)) and are subject only to professional registration (Art. 80s(7), in force from 5 July 2026). Within 30 days of completing the activities, the organiser must submit a report to KKPB.
May the organiser be based outside Poland?
Yes. The organiser may also be a foreign entity, but in that case it must maintain a branch in Poland. KKPB cooperates with foreign coordinators on cross-border research activities (Art. 65l(10)(9)).
May I arrange a consultation with KKPB before submitting an application?
Yes. KKPB encourages contact at the application preparation stage, particularly for innovative technologies, non-standard test scenarios, or questions about automation level classification. Consultations are free of charge and non-binding — they do not replace the formal review of the application. A meeting (in person or remote) may be arranged via the KKPB e-mail address (contact form on this website) or by phone. We recommend sending a brief note describing the planned research activities in advance, which helps prepare for the discussion.
How and where do I pay the permit fee?
The fee must be paid before submitting the application by bank transfer to the account of the Motor Transport Institute. The account number and required reference are provided in the fee schedule available in the "Documents" section. The transfer reference should read: "KKPB — permit application — [organiser name]". Proof of payment (transfer confirmation) is a mandatory attachment to the application — without it, the application cannot proceed (Art. 65l(13)(10)). Transfers from foreign accounts in EUR, USD and GBP are also accepted, converted at the average NBP exchange rate of the day preceding the payment.
What should I do if the organiser's data (name, address, tax ID) changes during the permit validity period?
Any change to the organiser's identifying details — including a change of name, registered office, address for service, tax ID (NIP), business registration number (REGON) or legal form — must be reported to KKPB within 14 days of the change. The notification does not require a new application or fee, provided the change is purely identifying and does not affect the scope of activities, area or vehicles covered by the permit. The notification should include: the permit number, the data before and after the change, and supporting documents (e.g. court register extract, tax office decision). KKPB will update the entry in the public registry and issue an updated permit document. Where the change results in a change of legal personality (e.g. merger, demerger), a new application is required.
May I suspend the research activities and resume them later during the permit validity period?
Yes. The permit remains in force throughout the period for which it was issued (up to 3 years), regardless of whether activities are conducted continuously. During this time, the organiser may start and end research activities several times — for example, between successive software development stages, seasonal testing campaigns or winter breaks. However, each start and end of activities requires a separate notification to KKPB at least 7 days in advance. Suspending activities does not extend the permit validity period — once it expires, a new application is required. If the organiser does not intend to resume activities, it is recommended to apply for permit expiry, which may allow recovery of part of the unused fee (under the terms set out in the Minister of Infrastructure's regulation).

Common application errors

Common deficiencies that lead to requests for supplementation or refusal. Save time by reviewing your application against these points before submission.

1
Incomplete ISO 26262 risk analysis

Missing elements required by the standard — for example, no ASIL classification or no risk-mitigation strategy.

2
Liability policy does not cover all vehicles

The policy covers only some of the vehicles listed in the application, or it expires before the end of the requested permit period.

3
Area exceeding 5 voivodeships

Specifying six or more voivodeships — contrary to Art. 65l(6) and 11(4). The activities must be split into two separate applications.

4
Missing declaration on road-safety risk

Omission of the organiser's declaration required by Art. 65l(13)(5).

5
Incorrect criminal-liability clause

Altered or incomplete clause wording — the verbatim text of Art. 65l(15) and (16) is required.

6
Missing or incorrect VIN

The application does not uniquely identify the research vehicle — a VIN must be provided for each vehicle (Art. 65l(11)(7)(c)).

7
Missing proof of fee payment

Failure to attach proof of payment to the application shall result in a refusal decision (Article 65l, paragraph 13, point 10 and paragraph 14, point 10).

8
Incomplete description of activity management

A description of the management arrangements and the organiser's responsibilities is required (Art. 65l(11)(5)) — a generic statement is not sufficient.

Legislation and reports

Legal acts governing the activity of KKPB and reports published pursuant to statutory obligations.

International cooperation

KKPB cooperates with foreign research coordinators, in particular on cross-border testing of automated vehicles (Art. 65l(10)(9)).

As an EU Member State, Poland participates in the exchange of information and the coordination of supervision for research activities conducted simultaneously in more than one country. This cooperation ensures continuity of testing for entities developing autonomous vehicles for the European market.

🇪🇺 Cooperation with EU Member States

Coordination of technical and safety conditions for cross-border testing in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2019/2144. Mutual recognition of inspection results and organisers' declarations.

🤝 Contact point

KKPB acts as the national contact point for foreign supervisory authorities. For cross-border research enquiries, please use the contact form on this website, indicating "cross-border testing" in your message

🌐 English version

A full English-language version of the KKPB website is available at: https://www.its.waw.pl/11551,en,KKPB.html — containing the application procedure, document templates and contact details in English.

📋 Cross-border reporting

The annual summaries also cover cross-border research activities (Art. 65l(10)(10)). Statistics are published every year by 31 January.

Contact

National Research Coordinator — Motor Transport Institute (ITS).

Address
National Research Coordinator
Motor Transport Institute
ul. Jagiellońska 80
03-301 Warszawa
Contact form
Phone
+48 22 43 85 480
Electronic delivery (e-Doręczenia)
e-Doręczenia (ADE): AE:PL-77680-45201-SVVBE-19
The subject line or case reference must include: KKPB
Office hours
Monday9:00 – 17:00
Tuesday9:00 – 15:00
Wednesday9:00 – 15:00
Thursday9:00 – 15:00
Friday9:00 – 15:00
Saturday – SundayClosed
Permit applications must be submitted in writing — either on paper to the ITS address or electronically via e-Delivery (e-Doręczenia), signed with a qualified, trusted or personal electronic signature

GDPR Information Clause

Pursuant to Art. 13(1) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 (GDPR), we hereby inform you that:

1 Data Controller

The controller of your personal data is the Motor Transport Institute (Instytut Transportu Samochodowego), based in Warsaw (03-301), ul. Jagiellońska 80, Poland.

2 Data Protection Officer

The Data Protection Officer (DPO) may be contacted at: iod@invoi.email

3 Purpose of processing

Your personal data will be processed for the purpose of fulfilling the tasks of the National Research Work Coordinator (KKPB), in particular conducting proceedings related to issuing permits and fulfilling obligations arising from the Act of 20 June 1997 – Road Traffic Law.

4 Obligation to provide data

Providing data is mandatory and results from legal requirements. Failure to provide data may result in the inability to process your application.

5 Rights of data subjects

You have the right to access your data, rectify it, restrict its processing, and lodge a complaint with the President of the Personal Data Protection Office (UODO).

Full information clause

The full text of the information clause is available on the KKPB / ITS website and in the Public Information Bulletin (BIP). Detailed information on the processing of personal data is available here (BIP ITS).

Privacy & Cookie Policy

Rules on the processing of personal data of users of the KKPB website and the use of cookies.

1 General Information

This Privacy and Cookie Policy sets out the rules for processing personal data and using cookies in connection with the use of the KKPB website, operated by the Motor Transport Institute. The Controller takes particular care to protect the privacy of website users and to ensure the security of processed personal data in accordance with applicable law, in particular Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR).

2 Data Controller

The controller of personal data is: Motor Transport Institute (Instytut Transportu Samochodowego), ul. Jagiellońska 80, 03-301 Warsaw, Poland, e-mail:e-mail: info@its.waw.pl

The Controller has appointed a Data Protection Officer (DPO), who may be contacted at: iod@invoi.email

3 Purposes and Legal Bases for Processing

Personal data may be processed in particular for the purpose of:

  • handling correspondence addressed to the Controller,
  • fulfilling the statutory tasks of the National Research Work Coordinator,
  • conducting administrative proceedings,
  • responding to submitted questions or requests,
  • ensuring the proper functioning of the website,
  • ensuring the security of ICT systems.

The legal bases for processing are: Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR (legal obligation), Art. 6(1)(e) GDPR (public interest task), Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR (legitimate interest of the Controller).

4 Scope of Data Processed

The Controller may process in particular: full name, e-mail address, telephone number, data provided in correspondence or forms, IP address, and technical data concerning the use of the website.

5 Recipients of Data

Recipients of data may include entities authorised under law, IT, hosting and maintenance service providers, and legal or advisory service providers. Data will not be transferred to third countries unless this results from the use of specific IT services and is carried out in compliance with the GDPR.

6 Data Retention Period

Personal data will be stored for the period necessary to achieve the purpose of processing, for the period resulting from applicable law, for the limitation period for possible claims, or until an effective objection is raised.

7 Rights of Data Subjects

Data subjects have the right to: access their data, rectify it, restrict its processing, object to processing, and lodge a complaint with the President of the Personal Data Protection Office (UODO). Where processing is based on consent, the right to withdraw consent also applies.

8 Cookies

Cookies are small text files stored on the user's device when using the website. The following types may be used:

  • technical cookies – necessary for the proper functioning of the website,">technical cookiesnecessary for the proper functioning of the website,
  • functional cookies – enabling the saving of selected settings,">functional cookiesenabling the saving of selected settings,
  • analytical cookies – used to generate anonymous usage statistics.">analytical cookiesused to generate anonymous usage statistics.

Users may manage cookie settings through their web browser settings, including restricting, blocking, or deleting cookies. Limiting cookies may affect some website functionality.

9 Data Security

The Controller applies appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect processed personal data, appropriate to the risks and categories of data covered.

10 Changes to This Policy

The Controller reserves the right to update this Privacy and Cookie Policy in the event of changes in law, technological changes, or changes to website functionality. The current version is published on the KKPB website. Date of last update: May 2026.

11 Contact

For matters related to personal data protection, please contact the Controller at info@its.waw.pl or the DPO at

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