When Zbyszek signed up for a category B course at a driving school in Warsaw, he learned that he would first have to undergo a medical examination. If he passed it successfully, he would be able to obtain a PKK number, which is necessary to undergo driving training.

Before going to the doctor, he met with his good friend Sylwester, who had had a driving license for several years, to find out from him how to successfully pass the test. They arranged to meet at a bar in the center of Warsaw, where they discussed the subject over a beer.

— I wear glasses — said Zbyszek — that’s why I’m afraid I won’t pass this test… It’s true that I have a slight visual defect, but on the Internet they write that this may turn out to be „the nail in my coffin”…

– And rightly so – said Sylwester – I know a lot of guys who don’t have a driving license because of that… But don’t worry, if you buy me another beer, I’ll tell you what to do to avoid problems…

When the bartender brought two mugs of beer, Sylvester continued:

— The recipe for a successful visit is simple… I’ll give you a doctor’s chart with letters for an eye test. You’ll go to the visit without your glasses. You’ll tell the doctor that you see fine. And when the doctor tells you to read the letters from the chart, you’ll say them by heart, because you’ll have them carved into a metal plate beforehand… That way you’ll get a license for life!

How did Zbigniew’s medical examination proceed? More on that in a moment. First, let’s answer the four-step procedure for a category B examination…

Step one: preparing for a category B medical examination. A driving school from Warsaw explains what you should take with you to the doctor

What is worth knowing before taking the category B test ?

• The purpose of this medical examination is to determine whether there are any health contraindications to driving motor vehicles.
• Thanks to this test, we will obtain a Driver Candidate Profile (PKK) number, without which we will not be able to start the course at OSK and will not be able to take the exams at WORD.
• This examination will be performed at any occupational medicine facility by a medical examiner who has the appropriate qualifications.
• We shouldn’t have the slightest problem finding the right doctor, because the head of the driving training center will recommend a doctor with whom he has been working for years.
• Although it is not required that we fast, it is worth making sure that we are well rested, sober, and relaxed.
• It is important to inform your doctor about any medications you are taking that may affect the test results.
• Take with you an identity document (ID card or passport), glasses or contact lenses (if you wear them), medical documentation (if you have chronic diseases), a hearing aid (if you have a hearing impairment), a diabetologist consultation card (if you have diabetes), a neurologist consultation card (in the case of epilepsy), a statement on the degree of disability (if applicable) and PLN 200, which you will pay to the doctor.

Step two: filling out a health declaration for a category B medical examination. A driving school from Warsaw explains what the form includes

What do they ask in the health declaration?

• Past illnesses.
• Medications taken.
• High blood pressure.
• Heart disease.
• Chest pain, coronary artery disease.
• Heart attack.
• Diseases requiring heart surgery.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Respiratory disorders.
• Renal function disorders.
• Diabetes.
• Head and spine injuries.
• Convulsions, epilepsy, fainting.
• Stroke.
• Nausea and dizziness.
• Memory loss or difficulty concentrating.
• Diseases of the neck, back or limbs.
• Double vision, vision problems.
• Daltonism.
• Difficulty seeing at night.
• Deafness.
• Mental illness, depression.
• Past surgeries and accidents.
• Using a hearing aid.
• Sleep disorders and sleep apnea.
• Alcohol abuse or drug use.
• How often do we drink alcohol?

Step three: the course of the medical examination for category B. A driving school from Warsaw explains what a visit to the doctor looks like

How does a category B medical examination proceed?

• The doctor will examine our eyesight using tables with letters that we will read from a distance of 4 m (if we have a visual impairment, we will wear glasses or lenses).
• Through simple tests, such as observing head movements or reactions to sounds, the doctor will assess our hearing and balance.
• By measuring blood pressure, checking your pulse and assessing your breathing, the doctor will check your cardiovascular, nervous and respiratory systems.
• By conducting an interview and assessing our behavior, the doctor will verify the symptoms of addiction.
• Depending on the state of our health, the examination lasts from a few to several minutes.
• If we experience disturbing symptoms, our doctor will order additional tests.
• The following may be grounds for additional testing: heart problems, poor hearing or deafness, mental health conditions, or problems with the nervous system.
• We will conduct additional tests with specialists, and with the results we will have to return to the medical examiner.

Step four: issuing a medical certificate for category B. The driving school from Warsaw suggests what you should know on this subject

How does a medical certificate be issued?

• Immediately after completing the examination, the doctor will issue a certificate determining our ability to drive category B vehicles.
• If the doctor determines that our health condition does not pose a threat to the safety of other road users, he or she will issue a positive decision that will open the door to the course and exam.
• In this case, we may receive restriction codes such as: 01.01 (requirement to drive with glasses), 01.02 (possibility of driving with contact lenses), 02 (hearing aid requirement), 05.08 (driving only during the day), 78 (driving only with automatic transmission) or 61 (requirement of additional driving aids).
• If the doctor determines that we do not meet the health requirements, he or she will issue us with a negative decision that will block us from obtaining a driving license until our health conditions improve.
• If we do not agree with the decision of the medical examiner, we can appeal to the provincial occupational medicine centre, which will re-assess our health condition.

Summary: How to conduct a medical examination for category B in four steps? A driving school from Warsaw explains how Zbyszek’s story unfolded

Fortunately, Zbigniew did not listen to Sylwester’s advice and did not pretend during the category B medical examination that he did not have a vision defect.

How was Zbyszek’s medical examination carried out?

• In the first step, he prepared the necessary documents, glasses, and cash with which he went to the doctor.
• In the second step, he filled out the form honestly, indicating that he had a visual impairment.
• In the third step, he began the test during which, among other things, he read letters from a board while wearing glasses.
• In the fourth step, Zbyszek asked the doctor to issue him a driving license for contact lenses and he received a certificate for the longest possible period, i.e. valid for 15 years…

In this way, Zbyszek obtained a PKK number and started a course at the „Lauto” driving school in Warsaw , with the help of which he passed the WORD exams at the first attempt.