What documents should the driver have with him? Is mObywatel enough during a road check? Check what the law says, what situations may surprise you and why it is sometimes worth choosing classic documents.
Is mObywatel a real revolution for drivers or just an addition that will not replace classic documents? Nowadays, we increasingly use smartphones instead of wallets – from paying for purchases to confirming identity. But what about a roadside inspection? Is a phone with an application enough to travel around Poland peacefully? In this article, we will take a closer look at what documents you should have with you as a driver and whether digital solutions really give us complete freedom.
A traditional set of driver documents
Let’s start with the classics. A driver in Poland must have several documents. First of all, they are:
- Driving license – basic proof that you know how to drive a car.
- Vehicle registration certificate – confirmation that the car you are driving is approved for road use.
- Third party liability policy – compulsory insurance that will cover the costs of damage you may cause to other road users.
Until recently, every road check involved the obligation to show these documents in physical form – paper or plastic. But times change and so do the regulations.
Electronics is entering the roads: what does mObywatel offer?
For some time now, vehicle owners in Poland have not had to carry all these documents with them. The police can download relevant information from the CEPiK database. The vehicle owner must only have a document confirming his or her identity – an ID card, passport or mID in the mObywatel application. The government application also has additional advantages, but these are no longer needed during inspections. Still, it’s worth knowing about them. These are:
- mRiving License – a digital version of the driving license,
- vehicle data – instead of the registration certificate, all information is in the application,
- confirmation of the validity of the third party liability insurance policy – information that your car is insured.
At first glance, it looks like salvation for those who tend to forget their wallet at home. But is mObywatel really enough in every situation?
Roadside inspection: when is an application enough?
The police in Poland are already obliged to accept data from the mObywatel application during road checks. So if you forget your wallet but have your phone with you, you can sleep soundly – at least in theory.
There are some nuances that are worth knowing:
- You are not the owner or co-owner of the vehicle – in such a situation, you must borrow not only the car from the owner, but also the registration certificate and confirmation that the third party liability insurance is still valid.
- App or phone crashes – if your phone runs out of power or the app doesn’t work, you may have a problem. The police may not give you a reduced fare just because the technology has failed.
- Travel abroad – mObywatel operates only in Poland. If you’re going to another country, traditional documents are a must.
Is it worth relying completely on mObywatel?
For everyday use, the mObywatel application is a great solution – convenient, fast and ecological. But can you rely on it completely? Exactly. Life happens differently. The phone may run out of power, get lost, or simply refuse to cooperate at the most inopportune moment. Therefore, despite modern solutions, many drivers still prefer to have physical documents with them.
What about fines?
An interesting fact is that during a road check you do not have to have cash or a payment card with you to pay the fine. Currently, most police cars are equipped with payment terminals, so you can pay by card or BLIK. This is another step towards the digitalization of drivers’ everyday lives.
An application is an application, but…
The digital revolution in the automotive industry is something that certainly makes our lives easier. However, as in any field, it is worth using common sense. If you use mObywatel on a daily basis, remember to always keep your phone charged and the application up to date. It is also worth keeping copies of documents in the car – just in case.
Remember that it is not only about comfort, but above all about safety. Even if technology is making great strides, it’s good to have a plan B. Especially when peace of mind on the road is at stake. Is mObywatel enough? Everyday – yes. But is it worth the risk of driving without physical documents? This is a question that every driver must answer for himself.
