One-way trafficPoland

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Poland. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


17. One-way traffic

One-way traffic means that vehicles on a road or carriageway may travel only in one designated direction. The permitted direction is normally indicated by traffic signs, lane arrows or road markings.

Some road users, such as cyclists or public-transport vehicles, may be allowed to travel in the opposite direction when signs expressly permit it. A one-way road does not by itself determine the speed limit, priority or parking rules.

One-way traffic
One-way traffic sign on Kozia Street. (Poznań, Poland)
Wikimedia.org • MOs810 • CC BY-SA
How should I read a one-way restriction in Poland?

Follow the direction designated by the street’s one-way signs and any entrance restrictions or lane arrows. A compulsory turn at one junction is different from a restriction applying along the street.

🔗 eli.gov.pl • Poland, Road Traffic Law — articles 16, 22–23; Signs 17, 44

🔗 eli.gov.pl • Poland, traffic signs and signals — 2019/2310 consolidation, read with subsequent amendments

Road with one-way traffic. Road with one-way traffic.

English • Traffic sign D-3 • One-way road. Sign D-3 marks the beginning or continuation of a road or carriageway where traffic travels in one direction.

Polski • D-3 • droga jednokierunkowa. Znak D-3 „droga jednokierunkowa” oznacza początek lub kontynuację drogi lub jezdni, na której ruch odbywa się w jednym kierunku.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Eli.gov.pl • § 44 ust. 1

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Szczepan dyskusja Mail 18:29, 31 December 2006 (UTC) • Public domain • Original revision 2025-10-10. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Polish official sign catalogue, Dz.U. 2019 poz. 2310: Eli.gov.pl • D-3, PDF page 44, with amendments 2021/433, 2021/2065, 2022/2372 and 2026/133 checked. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.

No entry. No entry.

English • Traffic sign B-2 • No entry. Sign B-2 prohibits vehicles from entering the road or carriageway from the side where it is installed. The prohibition also applies to organised groups of pedestrians and to people riding or driving animals.

Polski • B-2 • zakaz wjazdu. Znak B-2 „zakaz wjazdu” oznacza zakaz wjazdu pojazdów na drogę lub jezdnię od strony jego umieszczenia; zakaz dotyczy również kolumn pieszych oraz jeźdźców i poganiaczy.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Eli.gov.pl • § 17 ust. 1

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Author not stated on source page • Public domain • Original revision 2025-09-24. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Polish official sign catalogue, Dz.U. 2019 poz. 2310: Eli.gov.pl • B-2, PDF page 42, with amendments 2021/433, 2021/2065, 2022/2372 and 2026/133 checked. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.

May cyclists travel against the general traffic direction in Poland?

Do not assume cyclists are exempt from a road’s direction restriction. Check whether the applicable signs, local traffic arrangement or separately designated cycle facility actually authorise movement in the opposite direction; an ordinary bicycle-route sign is not enough.

🔗 eli.gov.pl • Poland, Road Traffic Law — articles 16, 22–23; Signs 17, 44

🔗 eli.gov.pl • Poland, traffic signs and signals — 2019/2310 consolidation, read with subsequent amendments

Does one-way traffic give me priority or a different speed limit in Poland?

A one-way restriction concerns direction. Continue to follow the applicable speed limit, signals, give-way or stop controls and junction-priority rules. Where authorised counterflow traffic exists, check for it before turning or crossing; your permitted direction is not automatic junction priority.

🔗 eli.gov.pl • Poland, Road Traffic Law — articles 16, 22–23; Signs 17, 44

🔗 eli.gov.pl • Poland, traffic signs and signals — 2019/2310 consolidation, read with subsequent amendments

1 Poland 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Built-up area 6 Zone 7 Speed limit 8 Footpath 9 Bike path 10 Shared-use path 11 Separated path 12 Pedestrian warning 13 Tunnel 14 Speed bump 15 Toll road 16 Customs 17 One-way traffic 18 Quay 19 Slope 20 Bus lane 21 Bus stop 22 Dead end 23 Stop sign 24 Give way 25 Roundabout 26 Priority road 27 Road narrowing 28 Priority over oncoming traffic 29 Give way to oncoming traffic 30 Pedestrian crossing 31 Railway crossing 32 Mandatory direction 33 Turn prohibition 34 School area 35 Overtaking 36 Crossing animals 37 Curve 38 Chevron 39 Wrong-way driving 40 Roadworks 41 Height limit 42 Weight limit 43 Radar speed sign 44 Priority at the next junction 45 Traffic lights 46 Traffic lights warning 47 Pedestrian lights 48 Road markings 49 Junction layout 50 Driving licence 51 Traffic mirror 52 International border 53 Pedestrian underpass 54 Cycling route 55 Parking 56 No parking 57 No stopping 58 Park and ride 59 Kiss and ride 60 Disabled parking 61 Traffic management 62 Merging 63 Reversing 64 U-turn 65 Road surface 66 Provisional licence 67 Hazardous cargo 68 Radio service 69 Tourist attraction 70 Horn 71 Licence plate 72 Charging station 73 Dangers 74 Rail safety 75 Pedestrian 76 Cyclist 77 Car 78 Truck 79 Bus 80 Police 81 Ambulance 82 Taxi 83 European emission standard 84 Public road 85 Pothole 86 Private property 87 Path 88 Particulates 89 Air pollution 90 Rush hour 91 Road code 92 Two-way traffic 93 Street gutter 94 Cargo bike 95 Forestry vehicle 96 Construction vehicle 97 Semi-trailer truck 98 Trolleybus 99 Speed pedelec 100 Delivery vehicle ...