How Much Does an EU Driving License Cost?
Everyone wants to have a perfect driving licence, which will never expire. The reality is a bit different.
The process for obtaining an Polish driver's license can be a bit complicated. The most important ones are: medical exam and theory as well as practical classes. You must also meet the age requirements of the category in which you're applying for a driving licence.
1. Medical exam
To get your driving license, first get an official doctor's (orzeczenie lkarskie) approval that you are qualified to drive. It might sound strange, but that's how it works in Poland. The doctor will ask you a plethora of silly questions about your health, for instance, if you have issues with your eyesight or any other medical problems, never actually physically examining you in any way. The cost for this exam is around 200 PLN.
If you're coming from one of the countries that is a member of the EU or EEA or a country that is a signatory to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic then you don't have to do this because your driving licence will be recognised as valid in Poland. If however, you're from a country which doesn't belong to either of these groups, then you'll need to pass a medical examination and a theory and practice driving test in order to obtain a Polish license.
Both of these tests can be conducted in English however it is a bit of a hit or miss depending on the center. Contact the centre ahead of time to confirm availability prior to scheduling an appointment. You'll also need to arrange for an interpreter if your level of Polish is not high enough to pass the exam.
Once you have your medical certification, you'll need to go to the district authority to complete the driver profile (PKK – Profil Kandydata na Kierowce). You'll need a scan copy of your passport and proof of your residence in Poland as well as a colour photo.
Then, you visit an office that is specially designed to make your personal file scan your documents and give them to you. From there you can begin to prepare for the test and enroll at a driving school. You will find WORD facilities in all major cities, and most smaller ones however, most schools require a payment in order to be able to run their courses.
2. Theory test
If you hold an international driving permit, it's valid in Poland if you also carry an International Driving Permit ("IDP"). If you plan to drive an automobile in Poland for a period longer than six months, then you'll require an IDP. It is required to exchange your IDP for an official Polish licence if you don't have one. You must meet four conditions to be able to complete the process that include: you must be a Polish citizen and you must have passed a medical test and you must pass a driving test administered by the state and you must have completed driving lessons at a school that is approved by the government.
To pass the state-issued driving test you will require a Driving Candidate Profile (PKK) and other documents. This includes your ID, your health certificate, a letter from a certified driving instructor and a copy your residence permit or visa. The driving test itself consists of two parts: the theoretical portion and the practical. The theory part consists of 32 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as road signs, traffic rules emergency protocols, safe driving techniques. You must answer correctly at least 26 questions to pass.
The practical part of your driving test involves driving on a public road under controlled supervision. During this time, an instructor will observe your ability to adhere to the rules of driving on the road particularly in difficult conditions like city streets or highways. The test is approximately 40 minutes.
Before you can pass the state driving exam you must apply for PKK (Driving Candidate Profile) at the Province Road Traffic Centers (Wojewodzkie Osrodki Ruchu Drogowego WORD). To do this you'll need your identification document as well as proof of paying the required fee and a photograph of you. If you don't speak Polish or Polish, you will be accompanied by a professional interpreter during the examination.
3. Practical test
You'll need to pass the practical test if you're driving with a foreign driver's license. This is a much harder test than the one for theory and the rate of passing is very low. Additionally, you can take the test in a practical manner only if you're legally residing in Poland. If not, Fuehrerscheinn driving license will be valid for a long time and should you be stopped by police you may be fined for driving with a valid driver's license.
To take the test, you need to fill out an application form in Polish. Google Translate will help. Also, you will require an official medical certificate that proves you are qualified to drive.
Bring your photo ID and evidence of health insurance coverage, along with a recent colour photo (size 3,5cm x 4,5cm). You will have to sign up with the department of civil affairs as a candidate for driving which will require you to fill out an application for a driving profile for the candidate (RKK) and then receive an identification number to enter into the system.
The process is often complicated and time-consuming, especially in the event that you're unfamiliar with Polish language. It's a good idea to hire an English-speaking instructor and book your lessons in advance. You can also find a driving school that offer English lessons in specific regions.
The person who is applying for an Polish driver's license has to submit the original copy of their residence permit or visa if not EU citizens. This is required to prove that you have resided in Poland for at least one 185-day period.
The office will also require a proof of payment for the theory and practical tests. The total cost of the process should be about 1,500 PLN. There is a possibility of paying in cash, however this doesn't guarantee a quicker processing of the documents. The whole process takes around two to four weeks. In some places it could take longer. Consult your local office if are unsure of the deadlines.
4. Documents
It is essential for foreigners who wish to drive in Poland to get the Polish driving license in order to avoid issues with their insurance coverage for cars. Before they can do this, they must first pass the theoretical test which will cost them. This will be less difficult for foreigners who are citizens of countries that have signed the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic of 1968.
The first thing they have to do is to ensure that they have been in Poland for a minimum of six months. This must be proven through a local address registration or residence permit, or visa. You must submit a completed application form. The form is available online or at the local office. They must also submit a recent photograph that measures 35 x 45 mm as well as evidence of identity such as a passport. They must also include a health care certificate that confirms they are competent to drive.
Once they have submitted these documents after which the voivodship office will prepare the driving licence to issue. This could take up to nine working days. In cases that require an extensive examination the wait time could be as long as one month.
A foreign national is also required to submit a copy his or her medical certificate. This is important because if they do not have an official health certificate, they will be required to sit for the exam again, which can increase their waiting time by up to two months.
Once your driving licence has been issued, you will be required to pay a fee at the office. The cost is 100 PLN (for EU citizens) and 250 PLN (for non-EU citizens). This cost can be paid by bank transfer, debit card or credit card. The driver's license will be sent to the applicant's home address. If, for any reason, the driver's license isn't issued, an appeal can be made to the Local Government Appeals Board in Rzeszow through the City Mayor.