On May 1, 2004, the day Poland joined the European Union, the Regulation of Minister of Infrastructure came into force, under which the movement of vehicles with a single axle load of up to 11.5 tonnes (25,000 lb) was allowed, at first on the Poznań (Komorniki junction) – Konin (Modła junction) stretch.

Since November 15, 2005, the increased carrying capacity has been extended to the entire length of national road 2.

On the section constituting the Southern Bypass of Warsaw, between Konotopa and Warsaw-Lubelska interchanges, the route has the status of an expressway.

In 2011 alterations were made on this section – the traffic signals were installed and in Dębe Wielkie a roundabout has been built.

In August 2012 a motorway bypass of Mińsk Mazowiecki has been opened and the course of road 2 was assigned to that route.

It is allowed to introduce or establish a ban on the movement of vehicles with a permissible single drive axle load above 10 t or above 8 t: 1) along a specific public road or its section, 2) in a zone covering at least two public roads or sections thereof – hereinafter referred to as "the ban".