Police operation on roads. 7 checkpoints and seized evidence
The police announce increased inspections of vehicles’ technical condition. According to Dziennik.pl, the police operation covers a list of 7 points that officers will check. A driver whose car is found to be non-functional must expect not only a fine but also the suspension of their registration document. Such inspections apply to everyone, including owners of electric vehicles.
Article contents
The police are conducting operations focused on vehicles’ technical condition, with a list of 7 checked points
Severe defects can result in the suspension of the registration document
Since December 2018, it’s no longer necessary to carry the registration document with you, so suspension is handled electronically
To retrieve the document, the defect must be fixed and an additional inspection must be passed at a vehicle inspection station
Electric vehicles are subject to the same inspections as gasoline vehicles
Police operations on roads
Thematic campaigns are a regular part of traffic police work. Instead of general patrols, officers focus on one type of violation or one group of vehicles. This time, the focus is on the technical condition of cars. Police officers check seven elements, and in case of serious issues, they will seize registration documents.
In practice, checking the technical condition is not just a quick glance at the car. Officers can examine the vehicle from the outside and check police systems to see if it has a valid technical inspection. If anything raises doubts, they can direct the driver to a vehicle inspection station.
Which car elements are most often checked by the police
A detailed list of inspection items was published on Dziennik.pl. Regardless of this list, during technical condition checks, officers usually focus on several key areas:
Lighting – functioning turn signals, position lights, brake lights, and direction indicators, as well as proper setting of headlamps
Tires – tread depth, damage to the sides, and consistent tire type across axles
Braking system – visible leaks and signs of malfunction
Windows and wipers – cracks within the driver’s field of view, functional wipers and windshield wiper sprayers
Fluid leaks – oil, brake fluid, or coolant
Noise and emissions – in gasoline vehicles, modified exhaust systems and removed filters
Validity of the vehicle inspection – checked in the Central Vehicle Registry
Autumn and winter are periods when these factors hold special significance. Days are short, surfaces can be wet, and faulty lights or worn tires significantly increase the risk of accidents.
When the police can seize the registration document
The basis for this is the Road Traffic Act. A police officer can seize the registration document, among other situations, when the vehicle’s technical condition threatens traffic safety or violates environmental regulations, as well as when the vehicle lacks a valid technical inspection. The driver also loses the registration document after a collision or accident that causes serious structural damage to the vehicle.
Since December 4, 2018, drivers are no longer required to carry their vehicle registration certificate. Therefore, the document is now seized electronically—the information is sent to the Central Vehicle Registry. The driver does not need to hand over anything physically, but the legal consequence remains the same.
If the malfunction does not pose an immediate danger, the driver can usually drive home or to a repair shop using the document issued by the police. In cases of serious defects, such as faulty brakes, further driving is prohibited, and the vehicle may be towed away.
How to retrieve the seized vehicle registration certificate
The process consists of several steps. First, the defect must be repaired at a workshop. Next, an additional technical inspection at a vehicle inspection station is required to confirm that the car is in good working order. With a positive inspection result, the driver can go to retrieve their documents. In addition, there is a fine along with the costs of repair and inspection.
Electric vehicles also under scrutiny
Owners of electric cars have no reason to feel exempt from inspections. An electric vehicle has no exhaust or particulate filter, so the issue of exhaust emissions does not apply. Other components, such as lights, tires, brakes, and windows, are inspected in the same way.
For electric cars, it’s especially important to pay close attention to the tires. Electric vehicles are usually heavier than their gasoline counterparts and have high torque available immediately, which accelerates tire wear. Additionally, brakes in electric cars operate less frequently due to regenerative braking, which can lead to brake pads corroding. This is another reason to regularly check the tires.
How to prepare your car for a traffic patrol check
The simplest way to avoid trouble is to conduct a quick self-check. Just walk around the car with the lights on, check the tire tread, the condition of the wipers and windows, as well as the expiration date of the vehicle inspection. A few minutes before heading out can save you from a fine, a stop at a checkpoint, and wasted time.
The police operation announced does not introduce new regulations. Officers are enforcing existing laws, just with greater intensity. Drivers who maintain the technical condition of their vehicles have nothing to worry about, while for others it is a good time to visit a repair shop.
Maciej Gis