How Much Does an EU Driving License Cost?
Everyone hopes to have a driving licence that will never expire. The reality is quite different.
The process for obtaining an Polish driver's license can be a bit complicated. The most important ones are: medical examination and theory as well as practical lessons. It is also important to meet the requirements of age for the category of the driving license.
1. Medical examination
To obtain your driver's license, you first need to get a doctor's (orzeczenie Lkarskie) approval that you are fit to drive. It may sound odd, but this is the way it works in Poland. The doctor will ask you a bunch of naive questions about your health, such as if you have problems with your eyesight, or any other medical issue and will never physically examine you at all. The cost for this exam is approximately 200 PLN.
If you're coming from a country which is part of the EU or EEA or a country which is a signatory to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic then you don't need to take this step because your driving licence is valid in Poland. If you're coming from a non-member nation you must pass both a theory and a practice test as well as an examination for medical reasons to get an official Polish driving licence.
Both exams can be taken in English however it is an occasional hit or miss depending on the centre. Make sure to call ahead to check availability before making an appointment. It is also worth mentioning that If you don't have sufficient amount of Polish to easily ace the exam, then you'll need to hire an interpreter for the entire day.
Once you have your medical certificate, you'll have to visit the district authority and get an official driver's profile completed (PKK - Profil Kandydata na Kierowce). You will need to take the passport scan and proof of your residence in Poland and a recent photograph in color.
Then, you visit an office that is specially designed to create your personal file scan your documents and give them to you. From there you can begin preparing for the tests and enroll at a driving school. WORD is readily available in all major cities, and even in smaller ones. However, some schools require payment for their courses.
2. Theory test
If you hold a driving license issued in another country, it is valid in Poland as long as you carry an International Driving Permit ('IDP') in addition to it. If you plan to operate a car in Poland for a longer period than six months, then you'll require an IDP. It is required to exchange the IDP for a Polish license in the event that you do not have one. The procedure requires that you satisfy four requirements to be a Polish resident You must also pass medical tests and pass the state-approved driving test and then complete your driving lessons at an approved school by the government.
To pass the state-issued driving test you must have a Driving Candidate Profile (PKK) and other documents. These include your ID, your health certificate, a letter from a certified driving instructor and a copy of your residence permit or visa. The driving test itself consists of two parts: the theory part and the practical part. The theory portion comprises 32 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as road signs, traffic rules and emergency procedures, as well as safe driving techniques. You must answer correctly at least 26 questions in order to pass.
The practical part of the driving test involves driving a vehicle on a public road under supervised supervision. During the time, an instructor will evaluate your ability to observe the rules of driving on the road particularly in difficult conditions such as roads or city streets. The duration of the practical test is around 40 minutes.
Before you can take the driving test for state it is required to apply for an PKK (Driving Candidate Profile) at the Province Road Traffic Centers (Wojewodzkie Osrodki Ruchudrogowego - WORD). You will need your identity document, proof that you have paid the required fee and a picture of yourself. If you don't know Polish, you can be assisted by an experienced interpreter during the exam.
3. Practical test
You'll have to pass the practical test if you're driving on a foreign license. This test is more difficult than the one for theory and the passing rate is low. You are only able to take the test in practice in the event that you are legally living in Poland. If not, your driving licence will remain indefinitely and if you're stopped by the police you may be fined for driving without an official driver's license.
To pass the practical test, you'll need to submit a completed application form, which is on the internet and must be filled out in Polish (Google Translate can help). Additionally, you'll need a medical certificate stating that you're fit to drive.
You must bring an ID photo, proof of your health care coverage and one current photograph in color (size 3,5 cm x 4,5 cm). You will need to sign up with the department of civil affairs as a driver candidate - this will require you to fill out a driving profile of the candidate (RKK) and get an identification number to enter into the system.
The process can be difficult and time-consuming, particularly when you're not a native speaker of the Polish language. It is recommended to hire an instructor who speaks English and schedule your lessons in advance. In some regions you will also find driving schools that offer lessons in English.
Anyone who is applying for a Polish driving license has to provide a copy the residence permit or visa for non-EU citizens. This is required to prove that you have resided in Poland for at least the period of 185 days.
The office will also require a proof of payment for practical and theory tests. The total cost should be about 1,500 PLN. There is an option of paying in cash, however this doesn't guarantee speedier processing of documents. The whole process takes around two to four weeks. In some areas it can be longer. Consult your local office if are unsure of the deadlines.
4. Documents
For foreigners who have relocated to Poland and wish to drive, getting the Polish driver's license is essential to avoid issues with insurance for cars. However, before they can do that, they must pass the theory test, and this process costs them. This process will be easier for foreigners who are citizens of countries that have signed the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic of 1968.
First they have to demonstrate that they've lived in Poland for at least six months. This must be proven through the registration of their local address, residence permit or visa. You must also fill out a complete application form. The form can be found on the internet or at an office in your area. They must also submit a recent photograph that measures 35 x 45 mm as well as documents of identification, such as a passport. They must also submit a health care certificate to prove they are fit to drive.
After they have submitted the documents The voivodship office will prepare their driving licence document for issue. This can take up to 9 working days. Waiting times can be as long as 1 month in situations which require a thorough examination.
A foreign national will also need to submit a copy of the medical certificate of their doctor. It is essential to have a valid medical certification since without it, the foreigner may have to take a new theory test, which could extend the time they wait by as much as two months.
Once your driving license is issued, you will be required to pay a fee at the office. führerschein in polen machen 2025 kosten is 100 PLN for EU citizens and 250 PLN for those who are not EU citizens. This cost can be paid by bank transfer or credit or debit card. The applicant will receive the driver's licence at their home address. If the driver's license is not issued due to any reason the City Mayor may appeal to the Local Government Appeals Board of Rzeszow.