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The Motor Transport Institute (Instytut Transportu Samochodowego) officially becomes the National Research Coordinator (KKPB) – the state body responsible for overseeing the conduct of research and testing of automated vehicles on public roads. This is the first comprehensive system for the control and harmonisation of research on automated and autonomous mobility in Poland, based on regulations adopted at the end of 2025.

Poland is consistently developing a framework that supports the safe advancement of autonomous technologies. On 24 June – the date on which the amendment to the Road Traffic Law Act of 21 November 2025 (Journal of Laws of 2025, item 1843) entered into force – the National Research Coordinator (KKPB) was established: a specialised body responsible for overseeing the testing of automated and fully automated vehicles on public roads. The function of Coordinator is performed by the Director of the Motor Transport Institute, acting under the supervision of the minister responsible for transport.

“National Research Coordination is the foundation for the safe development of autonomous mobility in Poland. Thanks to clear procedures and state oversight, we are able to conduct research responsibly while at the same time supporting innovations that will deliver real improvements in the safety and efficiency of transport,” says Prof. Marcin Ślęzak, Director of the Motor Transport Institute.

The tasks of the KKPB

The amendment to the Road Traffic Law Act organises and standardises the rules for conducting research on vehicles at automation levels 3, 4 and 5 (i.e. successive stages in the development of driverless technology, as defined by the SAE association). The KKPB issues permits, maintains a public register, monitors the compliance of research activities with applicable regulations, and cooperates with foreign supervisory authorities on cross-border projects.

In practice, the KKPB verifies that activities comply with the permit, appoints observers, assesses risk analyses, and immediately reports any road incident involving a research vehicle to the competent authorities, together with the audio-video recording obtained from the entity carrying out the research. The permit procedure is set out in detail in the Act and its implementing regulations, and includes, among other things, a risk analysis compliant with the ISO 26262 standard, the equipping of the vehicle with image and sound recorders, the submission of a declaration that road traffic safety will not be endangered, and the payment of an administrative fee. Such a research permit may cover a maximum of five voivodeships and remains valid for up to three years.

“Our goal is to ensure a process for obtaining research permits that is as transparent and applicant-friendly as possible. We place particular emphasis on a high standard of service and on the efficiency of administrative proceedings, while fully upholding the standards arising from the law. The Code of Administrative Procedure, under which we operate, clearly defines the timeframe for reviewing an application,” adds Aneta Gierszewska, MSc, of the team supporting the work of the National Research Coordinator.

National Contact Point

The new body also has an international dimension. The KKPB serves as the national contact point for foreign coordinators, enabling cross-border research to be conducted in accordance with European regulations. In this way, Poland takes part in the exchange of information and in the coordination of oversight over research activities carried out simultaneously in more than one country.

“The new system makes it possible to organise and professionalise the testing of autonomous vehicles. This is not merely an administrative role. It is a genuine instrument for quality control, risk analysis and international cooperation. As a result, Polish companies and universities can carry out research at a level comparable with the largest centres in Europe,” argues Mikołaj Kruszewski, PhD, Eng., of the team supporting the work of the National Research Coordinator.

The benefits of developing autonomous vehicle technology

Entrusting the Motor Transport Institute with the function of National Research Coordinator forms part of the broader context of the development of autonomous technologies in Poland. According to the Institute’s analyses, autonomous vehicles can significantly improve safety: in around 90 per cent of accidents the human factor plays the decisive role, and intelligent systems can reduce the number of incidents by as much as 30 per cent, which, on a national scale, means several thousand fewer accidents each year.

Autonomous vehicles also offer an opportunity to increase the efficiency of transport, reduce congestion, and improve the mobility of older people and people with disabilities. In addition, the establishment of the KKPB provides a stimulus for the economy, particularly in the face of the growing shortage of professional drivers, estimated in Poland at around 200,000 people.

It is worth recalling that Poland is simultaneously developing research projects such as DARTS PL — a Polish database of test scenarios and sensor data, created by the Motor Transport Institute and the Warsaw University of Technology at the request of the Ministry of Infrastructure. The project is intended to provide unique data from Polish road conditions, essential for training artificial intelligence algorithms and developing automated driving systems.

More information – Instytut Transportu Samochodowego