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Re-registering a car

After buying a car you have 30 days to file the registration application at the transport department for your place of residence (car dealers — 90 days). Cost: 66.50 zł keeping the old plates (80 zł with a temporary permit) or 160 zł with new plates; personalised plates — 1,080 zł. Being late costs 500 zł, and past 180 days — 1,000 zł (double for imported cars).

Service passportUpdated: 30.07.2026.
Cost
66.50 zł (old plates) · 160 zł (new)
Duration
At the office — under half an hour
Deadline
30 days from purchase
Where
The transport department (starostwo)
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✓ Information verified: 2026-07-30 Report an error

Who this applies to

Every vehicle buyer — new, used or imported. The application needs: the sale contract or invoice, the registration document, the plates, your ID and a valid OC policy. The seller has their own duty: reporting the sale within 30 days (a 250 zł fine otherwise). You may keep the old plates if they are legible and match the current pattern.

Step by step

Gather the documents

The contract or invoice, the registration document with a valid inspection, the plates, your ID, the OC policy. For imports also document translations, excise confirmation and a Polish technical inspection.

File at the transport department

At the starostwo or city office for your residence. You get the temporary permit ('soft' document) on the spot, valid until the permanent registration document is ready.

Collect the permanent document

The permanent document arrives within 30 days — the office notifies you, and info-car.pl shows the status. Remind the seller to report the sale.

Common mistakes

Missing the 30 days — a 500 zł fine, 1,000 zł past 180 days, and paying it does not replace registering.
Buying without a valid inspection — registration is impossible and the inspection cost is added.
The seller forgetting the 30-day sale report — a 250 zł fine follows.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost?

66.50 zł keeping the old plates (80 zł if a temporary permit is needed), 160 zł with new plates, 1,080 zł with personalised ones.

Can I keep the previous owner's plates?

Yes, if they are legible and match the current pattern — the cheapest registration option (66.50 zł).

Official sources

Verified against official sources · 30.07.2026.

See also