How Much Does an EU Driving License Cost?
Everyone dreams about having an excellent driving license that will never expire. But the reality is quite different.
The process for obtaining a Polish driver's license is a thorny process. The most important ones are: medical examination as well as theory and practical instruction. It is also essential to meet the age requirements for the category of driving license.
1. Medical examination
To get your driving license, you must first get the doctor's (orzeczenie Lkarskie) confirmation that you're competent to drive. It may sound odd however this is how it works in Poland. The doctor will ask you a plethora of silly questions about your health, such as if you have problems with your eyesight or any other medical issue, never actually physically examining you in any way. The cost for this test is about 200 PLN.
If you're from a country which is part of the EU or EEA or one that is a signatory to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic then you don't need to complete this process because your driving licence is valid in Poland. If you're coming from a country that is not a member, you will need to pass both a theoretical and a practical test, and also an exam for medical certification to obtain the Polish driving license.
Both of these exams can be taken in English However, it can be a bit of a hit or miss depending on the centre. Make sure to call ahead to check availability before making an appointment. It's also worth noting that If you don't have sufficient amount of Polish to be able to pass the exam, then you'll need to hire an interpreter for the entire day.
Once you have your medical certificate, you'll need to go to the district authority to fill in a driver profile (PKK - Profil Kandydata na Kierowce). You'll need a scan of your passport and proof of your residence in Poland and one current photo in colour.
Then you go into an office that is specially designed to make your personal file scan your documents and give them to you. Then you can begin preparation for your driving test and enroll in a driving school. You will find WORD facilities in all major cities and a lot of smaller ones as well however, most schools require a deposit to be able to run their classes.
2. Theory test
If you have a driver's license issued abroad it is valid in Poland provided you have an International Driving Permit ('IDP') along with it. If you plan to drive a car in Poland for a period longer than six months, then you'll need an IDP. Otherwise, it is necessary to exchange it to obtain a Polish driving licence. You must satisfy four requirements to complete the process that include: you must be a Polish citizen and you must have passed a medical exam and you must pass a state-approved driving test and you must have completed driving lessons in a school approved by the government.
To pass the state-issued driving test you must have a Driving Candidate Profile (PKK) and other documents. This includes your ID and health certificate, a copy of your report from a driving instructor who is approved, and a copy of your residence permit or visa. The driving test is divided into two parts, the theoretical and the practical. The theoretical part comprises 32 multiple-choice tests and covers subjects as road signs traffic laws, emergency protocols and safe driving practices. To pass you must be able to answer 26 questions.
The practical part of the driving exam involves driving a vehicle on a road that is public and under the supervision of a trained instructor. During this period, a driver will be observing your ability to follow the rules of driving on the road particularly in challenging situations like roads or city streets. The duration of the practice test is around 40 minutes.
Before you can pass the driving test of the state, it is necessary to apply for a PKK (Driving Candidate Profile) at the Province Road Traffic Centers (Wojewodzkie Osrodki Ruchudrogowego - WORD). For this purpose, you will need: your identification document, proof of payment of the fee, and a photograph of you. If you don't know Polish, you can be assisted by an experienced interpreter during the exam.
3. Practical test
If you're driving with a foreign license, you'll also need to pass an actual test. This is a much harder test than the theory and the success rate is very low. You can only take the test on the spot in the event that you are legally resident in Poland. If not, your driving licence will be indefinite. You may also be fined if are stopped by police for driving without a valid driving licence.
To take the test, you have to fill out an application form in Polish. Google Translate will help. You will also need an official medical certificate proving that you are qualified to drive.
Bring an ID photo and proof of health insurance coverage and a recent colour photograph (size 3,5cm x 3,5cm). You must register as a driver candidate with the Department of Civil Affairs. This will require you fill out a Driver Profile of the candidate (RKK) in order to receive a code to use within the system.
The process is often complicated and time-consuming, particularly if you're not familiar with Polish language. führerschein schnellkurs polen is recommended to hire an English-speaking driving instructor and schedule your lessons in advance. There are also driving school that offer English lessons in some regions.
Anyone who is seeking a Polish driving license is required to provide a copy the residence permit or visa for non-EU citizens. This is required to prove that you've resided in Poland for at least the period of 185 days.
The office will require proof of payment for the theory and the practical test. The total cost of the test is approximately 1500 PLN. There is the option of paying in cash, however this doesn't guarantee faster processing of documents. The entire process can take between two and four weeks. In some areas it can take longer. If you're uncertain about the deadlines, you'll need to inquire with the local office.
4. Documents
It is essential for foreigners who want to drive in Poland to obtain a Polish driving license in order to avoid issues with their insurance for their car. Before they can obtain this, they need to pass the theoretical test and pay. 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 must do is to ensure that they have been in Poland for 6 months. This must be proven by an address registration for local addresses or residence permit, or visa. You must submit a completed application form. The form is available online or in the local office. They must also submit an up-to-date photo that measures 35 x 45 mm and documents of identification, such as a passport. They must also submit a medical certificate that proves they are qualified to drive.
Once they have submitted these documents The voivodship office will prepare the driving licence document to issue. It usually takes between 5 and 9 working days. Waiting times could be as long as one month in cases that require a thorough examination.
A foreign national is also required to submit a copy their medical certificate. This is important since if they don't have a valid health certificate, they will be required to sit for the exam again, which can increase their waiting time by up to 2 months.
Once your driving license is issued after the driving licence is issued, you are required to pay an office fee. The cost is 100 PLN (for EU citizens) and 250 PLN (for non-EU citizens). The fee is payable via bank transfer, debit card or credit card. The driver's license will then be mailed to the address of the applicant's home. If the driving license is not issued for any reason, the City Mayor can appeal to the Local Government Appeals Board of Rzeszow.