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What is the fine for a dirty car?
Often, keeping your car looking pristine is not a priority, especially for people who have older vehicles or use them only for professional purposes. Unfortunately, few people know that in Poland you can get a ticket for a dirty car. When are drivers exposed to such a penalty? Can you get a ticket for having a dirty car inside? How much do you have to pay? We provide answers to the most important questions. Check if you are at risk of being fined for a dirty car.
Can you get a ticket for a dirty car in Poland?
Although this is still surprising to many drivers, the answer to this question is yes. In Poland you can get a ticket for a dirty car. Pursuant to the provisions of the Road Traffic Law, drivers may be financially penalized in situations where contaminants on the vehicle pose a potential threat to safety or make it difficult to identify the vehicle. A certain group of people is also at risk of being fined for having a dirty car inside.
When are you at risk of being fined for a dirty car?
The police in Poland may impose a financial penalty on the driver for a contaminated vehicle in three situations. If you want to stay calm during an inspection, read each of these.
1. Fine for dirty windows, mirrors or lights
Pursuant to Art. 66 of the Road Traffic Law, you risk receiving a ticket for dirty windows, mirrors or lights. These vehicle elements have a significant impact on visibility while driving, and negligence in their maintenance can lead to serious consequences. Windshields contaminated with mud or road dust limit the field of vision, which in turn increases the risk of road accidents. It's similar with the lights - they may not illuminate the road sufficiently. Therefore, when the police stop a dirty car and notice the above-mentioned elements, you will get a ticket.
2. Penalty for polluting public roads
Moreover, off-road enthusiasts should remember that driving on heavily muddy terrain carries the risk of transferring mud to the public road. These types of activities are often considered street pollution, which also results in a fine. So if you like driving over difficult terrain, make sure that your dirty car won't leave clods of dirt and mud behind when you hit regular roads. In this case, keeping the vehicle clean is important not only for your own comfort, but also for the safety of other road users.
3. Ticket for dirty license plates
Another aspect to pay attention to is contaminated license plates. According to the regulations, you can receive a ticket for a dirty car if the plates are so covered with mud or dust that they cannot be read. This is particularly important in the context of planning longer routes in difficult weather conditions (e.g. in the autumn-winter season), when easy vehicle identification is necessary, e.g. during road checks or tolls on highways.
Also read Parking on the sidewalk – what fine will there be in 2023?
Can you get a ticket for having a dirty car inside?
External contamination of the vehicle is one thing, but there is also a very common question about whether the police pay attention to the orderliness inside the car. In Poland You can also get a ticket for a dirty car inside. However, such a penalty applies only to a selected group of carriers involved in the transport of people, e.g. taxi drivers and bus drivers. Pursuant to Art. 117 pairs 2 of the Petty Offenses Code, a person driving a passenger car, unrelated to passenger transport, will not be fined during a road inspection for mess inside the vehicle.
How much is the fine for a dirty car?
You already know the answer to the question whether you can get it ticket for a dirty car. Finally, it is worth clarifying the issue of its height. The regulations provide for penalties in a wide range - from PLN 20 to PLN 3000, depending on specific circumstances. For dirty lights, the fine may be PLN 300, and the driver will additionally be charged with eight penalty points.
In the case of dirty license plates, the fine is up to PLN 500, and for polluting the street with mud, the driver may be fined up to PLN 1500. Therefore, it is worth remembering the responsibility for the technical condition of the car, including keeping it clean inside and out, in order to avoid not only fines, but - above all - ensure road safety.
