A speed camera fine for a rental car reaches you later than one for your own car, because it goes to the car's owner first. CANARD writes to the rental company, the company names the renter, and only then are the documents sent to the driver. At BLS these letters usually arrive about a month after the photo, sometimes 2-3 months later. The driver pays the fine, directly to the account shown on it. Below is the whole process step by step, the legal deadlines, and what to do once you are back home if you rent a car in Warsaw.
How long does a speed camera fine take to arrive for a rental car
Polish law does not say how many days the letter takes. It sets a different limit: the latest date a fine can be imposed. For an offence recorded by a speed camera, that is 60 days from identifying the offender (Art. 97 § 1 of the Code of Procedure for Petty Offences). The 180-day limit often quoted online is not in the current law.
| Step | Who does what | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Photo | CANARD GITD speed camera or the police | day of the offence |
| 2. Letter to the rental company | CANARD writes to the registered owner from the Central Vehicle Register | in our experience usually about a month later, sometimes 2-3 months |
| 3. Naming the driver | the rental company gives the renter's details and tells the renter about the case | deadline set in the letter, usually 7 days |
| 4. Letter to the driver | CANARD sends the documents to the renter's address | a few more weeks, depending on the post |
| 5. Fine (mandat) | the driver accepts the fine or refuses it | no later than 60 days after the offender is identified |
| 6. Payment | bank transfer to the individual account on the fine | 7 days from accepting the fine |
The case does not simply expire after a few months. Liability for a petty offence ends after one year, but if proceedings start within that year, it continues for another 2 years from the end of that year (Art. 45 § 1 of the Petty Offences Code). So a letter can arrive long after you return the car.
What the rental company does when CANARD writes
The owner of a car must, on request, name the person it was entrusted to at a given time (Art. 78(4) of the Road Traffic Act). The rental company checks the rental agreement for the date of the photo and passes on the renter's details. At BLS we let the customer know through the channel we used during the rental, usually e-mail, a messenger app or phone.
By the time the letter arrives, your deposit has usually been returned, and we do not deduct fines from it. We charge no fee for passing on details in a speeding case. A 200 zł fee applies to cases that need correspondence with the authorities, for example after a collision or an unpaid motorway toll.
How to pay a speed camera fine in Poland
The first letter from CANARD is not yet a fine but a request with forms. The driver chooses one of three options: confirms they were driving, names another person, or refuses the fine, in which case the case goes to court. All the forms are explained on CANARD's page Otrzymałeś wezwanie? Co dalej? (in Polish).
A credit fine (mandat kredytowany) must be paid within 7 days of accepting it, by bank transfer to the individual account number on the fine, at a bank or post office. GITD never sends payment links by text or e-mail, so any message with such a link is a scam. You can also reply and check the case through eBOK CANARD (in Polish), but logging in requires a Polish trusted profile (profil zaufany) or a qualified e-signature.
How much is a speed camera fine
The amount and penalty points depend on how far over the limit you were. Current rates are in our guide to the new fine tariff in Poland.
Failing to name the driver is a separate offence (Art. 96 § 3 of the Petty Offences Code). In a speeding case the fine for it is twice the speeding fine, at least 800 zł. It carries no penalty points but usually costs much more. That is why only drivers listed in the rental agreement should drive the car.
Speed camera fine after you leave Poland
CANARD sends the documents to the address in your rental agreement, so give a current address and e-mail. The exchange of traffic offence data under Directive (EU) 2015/413 works between EU countries and does not cover, for example, Ukraine. Leaving Poland does not close the case, though, and an unanswered letter does not make the fine disappear.
How to avoid a fine in a rental car
Speed cameras and average speed sections are shown on the official CANARD device map. Limits for motorways, expressways and built-up areas are in our guide to speed limits in Poland.
Frequently asked questions
Can the rental company pay the fine for me?
No. The fine is imposed on the driver, and the rental company only says who had the car on the day of the offence.
Can a speed camera fine arrive after six months?
Yes. The 60 days run from identifying the offender, not from the day of the photo, and with a rental car identifying the driver takes longer.
Do foreign drivers get penalty points in Poland?
Points are given to the driver who committed the offence. Only the penalty for not naming the driver has no points, and in a speeding case it is at least 800 zł.
How do I know the letter is genuine?
CANARD sends letters by Poczta Polska or through eBOK CANARD and never sends payment links. If in doubt, call the CANARD helpline: +48 22 220 45 00.