Cars drafted into the army - all about the requisition of cars by the army

If you have a truck, bus, large van, or SUV, then pray for peace. In case of war, your vehicle can be mobilized. Although in peacetime, the army may require that it be provided for exercises.

This is not a joke, but a serious matter. In the event of war, the army may need vehicles to transport people and equipment.

“We are primarily interested in buses, trucks, large vans and cross-country vehicles, i.e. all-wheel drive vehicles. These vehicles are intended for use in the rear, they will not go to the front lines, - says Lieutenant Colonel Slawomir Ratynski from the press service of the General Staff of the Polish Army.

So far, fortunately, we are not threatened by war. However, it is worth remembering that these obligations are specified in the law. In particular, art. 208 sec. 1 of the Law on General Defense Duty of the Republic of Poland, as amended and Regulations.

- It should be clearly indicated that the return of vehicles for the needs of the country's defense will be required by their owners who have previously received an administrative decision from the head of the commune, the mayor or the head of the city on the allocation of vehicles for the provision of benefits in kind, but only after the announcement of mobilization and during the war. After the end of hostilities and demobilization, the car will return to its owner, explains Lieutenant Colonel Ratynsky.

Mayor appoints

So, we return to peaceful times. You have an SUV, you like to drive off-road. Although the village headman, mayor or city president does not know anything about your passion, the communications department has data on all vehicles. The military commander of the additions can apply to the local government with a request to include your car in the list of movable property necessary for performing defense tasks in the event of mobilization and war.

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Thus, the head of the commune, the mayor or the president of the corresponding city issues an administrative decision to enlist your car in military "service" after the announcement of mobilization for the duration of the war. Such a decision comes by mail.

– The decision is delivered to the holder and the applicant (for example, the commander of a military unit) in writing, together with the justification. The owner of the vehicle and the applicant may appeal the decision to the voivode within fourteen days from the date of its delivery. The decision may also oblige the holder to perform the service without a separate request, explains Lieutenant Colonel Ratynsky.

If your vehicle is already destined for military service, you must remember to notify the head of municipality or the mayor in writing when selling it. Records must be in order!

In peacetime only

On the other hand, in peacetime, the act allows for the exclusive "conscription" of a car into the army. There are only three cases.

– Checking mobilization readiness. The time of "mobilization" of the car is limited to 48 hours, a maximum of three times a year.

– We may request a vehicle in connection with military exercises or exercises in units scheduled for militarization. Then up to seven days, only once a year. And, of course, in states of greater need. We are talking about natural disasters and the elimination of their consequences. Then there are no time limits, - explains Lieutenant Colonel Ratynsky.

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In peacetime, a call to the "assignment" of the car must be delivered to the owner 14 days before the date of execution.

- With the exception of cases of service in order to check the mobilization readiness of the Armed Forces by immediate appearance. It is subject to immediate execution within the period specified in it, adds Lieutenant Colonel Slavomir Ratynsky.

Who will pay for it?

Financial matters are not unimportant. During exercises, mobilization or war, the vehicle may be damaged or destroyed. The law also provides for such situations.

Owners are entitled to a refund, i.e. a lump sum for each started day of using the car. As Lieutenant Colonel Ratynsky emphasizes, rates are subject to annual indexation and currently, depending on the type and capacity of the vehicle, range from 154 to 484 zlotys. The military will also return the equivalent of the used fuel if they cannot return the vehicle with the amount of gasoline or diesel it was delivered with.

It may happen that the car is damaged or destroyed.

– In this case, the owner is entitled to compensation. All expenses associated with the use of the car and possible compensation for damage or destruction of the car are borne by the military or paramilitary unit that used the car, adds the lieutenant colonel.

There is good news. A car owner may be assigned a mobilization trip to a military unit, to which he is obliged to bring his car.

- In this case, he is credited for active military service in the same unit that received the delivered car. It may happen that in the army he will be the driver of his own car, adds Lieutenant Colonel Ratynsky.

And the second, more important. The transfer of a car to units of the Polish Armed Forces or paramilitary units after the announcement of mobilization and during the war becomes a form of capital security. This means that the owner is guaranteed its return after the end of the war or appropriate compensation in case of its destruction, wear or damage.

Owners of "non-mobilized" cars cannot count on this. Since all insurance policies are not valid during the fighting, any destruction or damage to the car remains their irretrievable loss.

Pavel Pucio