This article covers Polish regulations and market practice. The principles apply elsewhere, but check the rules in your country.
Many people starting their career in the transport industry wonder how to obtain a driver card entitling them to drive a vehicle fitted with a digital tachograph. For a professional driver, holding this document is a necessity under the applicable regulations, including Regulation (EU) No 165/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council. The digital driver card records the driver's activity in the tachograph, and the data stored on it is later used, among other things, to keep records of the driver's working time and for payroll settlements.
How to obtain a driver card so that you can start driving a vehicle with a tachograph? You will find the answer in the rest of this article, where we explain, among other things: which institution the application for a driver card should be submitted to, how much a driver card costs in 2025, and how long it takes to be issued.
Driver card: what is it and what is it for?
A driver card is a personalised document in the form of a plastic chip card used to record the driver's activity in a digital tachograph. The card stores information such as driving time, rest periods, speed and special events (e.g. speeding).
If you drive a vehicle subject to the digital tachograph requirement, you must hold a valid driver card. This applies both to professional drivers in salaried employment and to owners of transport companies.
Who issues the tachograph driver card?
To submit an application for a driver card correctly, you need to know who issues tachograph cards. In Poland driver cards are issued by the Polish Security Printing Works (PWPW). Applications can be submitted:
- online, through the info-car.pl portal,
- the traditional way, on paper: download the application form from the info-car.pl portal, fill it in by hand, attach the required enclosures and post the documents to the address of the Polish Security Printing Works with "STC" written on the envelope.
When it comes to how to obtain a driver card for a digital tachograph, it is worth noting that the online procedure is simpler, faster and reduces the risk of errors.
How to obtain a driver card step by step?
Read our simple guide, which explains step by step how to obtain a tachograph card through the Polish Security Printing Works.
Step 1: Prepare the necessary documents and information
To apply for a driver card you may need, among other things:
- the application form completed with the driver's required details, including a bank account number,
- a copy of a valid driving licence (with a category such as C, C+E, D or D+E),
- a current passport photo in digital form (JPG or PNG) or physical form (for a paper application); the photo should have a white background and show the person's left half-profile or face straight on (no headwear or dark glasses),
- a scan of a handwritten signature meeting PWPW requirements,
- a scan of an identity document (ID card or passport),
- confirmation of payment of the driver card fee,
- for an online application, an e-mail address and access to online banking or a trusted profile,
- other documents required depending on the situation, e.g. a scan of the driver attestation or a scan of the driver qualification card if the driving licence was issued outside the Republic of Poland.
The exact list of documents required when applying for a driver card will differ depending on, among other things, the reason for the application and the driver's circumstances. For example:
- if the driver card has been damaged or lost, a declaration of loss of the card will need to be attached,
- if the driver card has been stolen, a certificate confirming that the theft was reported to the Police will need to be attached.
To be sure how to obtain a tachograph card in a specific situation, it is worth reading the guidelines presented for individual cases on the info-car.pl portal.
Step 2: Submit the completed driver card application (online or on paper)
How to obtain a driver card online? It is a simple and quick procedure that requires submitting an application online. How do you do it?
- Go to info-car.pl and use the tab for the "Get a tachograph card" service. You will need to answer a few questions about your situation and the type of application you want to submit.
- Click the "Submit application" button.
- Register or log in to an existing account on the portal.
- Fill in the details and attach the required files.
- Pay for the application (payment is made when submitting the application).
How to obtain a digital tachograph driver card the traditional way? You will need to fill in a paper application and send it to the PWPW address. How do you go through this process?
- Download the application form from info-car.pl.
- Print it, fill it in and sign it.
- Attach a photo, a copy of your driving licence and confirmation of payment.
- Send the documents to the PWPW address.
Step 3: Pay for the card
What is the current price for issuing a driver card? The cost of obtaining a driver card is PLN 172.20 gross. Payment is made by bank transfer to the account number given on info-car.pl (for an online application, payment is made online during submission).
Step 4: Wait for delivery
How long does it take to get a digital tachograph driver card? The length of the process depends mainly on whether the driver chose to apply online or the traditional way.
- For an online application, the card usually arrives within around 7 working days.
- For paper applications, the entire process of reviewing and processing a first-issue application can take up to 30 calendar days, plus the delivery time for the document. It should be stressed that this period applies only to correctly completed applications with enclosures that are not questioned. If the application needs to be corrected or supplemented, the delivery date of the driver card to the applicant may be pushed back.
The card is delivered by Poczta Polska by registered post to the address given.
How long is a driver card valid?
A driver card is valid for 5 years from the date of issue. It is recommended to apply for renewal no earlier than 60 and no later than 15 days before the driver card expires, to avoid a break in work.
How much does a driver card cost in 2025: the price of obtaining the document
As mentioned earlier, the cost of issuing a driver card is PLN 172.20 gross. On top of this there may be the expense of having the required photo taken.
What if the application is not approved? In that case a fee of PLN 25.83 gross will be charged for processing it, and the remainder of the amount paid will be refunded to the bank account given or by postal order to the address provided by the driver. Note that the price of a driver card for a new application remains unchanged: a further fee of PLN 172.20 gross will be required.
How to obtain a digital tachograph driver card? Summary
Obtaining a driver card is an obligation for every professional driver working with digital tachograph vehicles. The process is not complicated, but it requires preparing the right documents, paying the fee and waiting patiently for the card to be issued. How long you wait for a digital tachograph card depends largely on whether the driver decides to apply online or the traditional way by post. The most convenient way is online: quick and without leaving home.
Below are useful links that will make applying for a new driver card easier:
- apply online at info-car.pl,
- application form template in PDF.
Want to find out more about driver cards and digital tachographs? Take a look at our other articles on these topics, including:
- A new era of tachographs: replacement, key deadlines and the most important changes
- How to streamline the settlement of drivers' working time? A guide to remote tachograph data download
- Tachographs in vans: what you need to know about the new rules
- Tachograph: what it is, how it works, what it is for and who must have one
- How to insert a card into a tachograph? A practical step-by-step guide
- How to change the time on a tachograph? A practical guide for drivers and payroll staff
- Driving without a tachograph: when is it allowed?
Agata Świerczek
E-marketing Specialist
As a UX/UI design specialist I combine creativity with precise communication. I design intuitive interfaces and engaging digital content, and I write product copy and blog articles that hold attention and support business goals.
