How Much Does an EU Driving License Cost?
Everyone hopes to have a perfect driving licence, that will never expire. The reality is a bit different.
To get an Polish driving license requires a lot of procedures. The most important are medical examinations, theory and practical lessons. You must also meet the age requirements of the category in which you're applying for a driver's license.
1. Medical exam
The first thing to be completed to obtain your driving license is obtaining an approval from a doctor (orzeczenie lekarskie) that you can drive. It might sound strange, but it's the way things work in Poland. The doctor will ask a series of silly questions about your health like if you are having problems with your vision or other medical issue. They will not examine you physically. The cost of this test is about 200 PLN.
If you're coming from a nation that is part of the EU, EEA, or an EEA member under the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic you don't need to take this additional step since your driving license will be recognized as 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 a medical exam to obtain an official Polish driving licence.
Both exams can be completed in English however it is somewhat of a hit or miss depending on the center. Contact the centre ahead of time to confirm availability prior to making an appointment. It's also worth mentioning that If you don't have sufficient amount of Polish to pass the exam, then you'll have to book an interpreter for the day.
Once you've got your medical certificate, you'll must visit the district authority to get an official driver's profile completed (PKK Profil Kandydata na Kierowce). You'll need a scanned copy of your passport and proof of your residency in Poland as well as a colour photo.
Then, you visit an office specifically designed for you where they make your personal file and scan your documents to give them to you. You can then start preparation for your driving test and sign up for driving schools. WORD is available in most major cities, and even in smaller ones. However some schools require a fee for their courses.
2. Theory test
If you're a driver with an international driving permit valid in Poland if you also carry an International Driving Permit ("IDP"). You'll need an IDP for each vehicle driven in Poland for longer than six months. It is necessary to exchange your IDP for the Polish licence if you do not have one. The process requires that you satisfy four requirements: you must be a Polish resident, you must have passed medical tests and pass the state driving exam and then complete your driving lessons at an approved by the government.
To take the state driving exam you must have a Driving Candidate Profile (PKK) and other documents. These include your ID and a health certificate, an approved driving instructor's report, and the photocopy of your passport or residency permit. The driving test is divided into two parts: the theoretical part and the practical. The theoretical part comprises 32 multiple-choice questions that cover subjects as road signs and traffic laws, emergency protocol and safe driving methods. To pass you must answer correctly 26 questions.
The practical part of the driving test involves driving a vehicle on a public roadway under supervised supervision. During this period, a driver will evaluate your ability to observe the rules of driving on the road particularly in challenging situations such as city streets or highways. The duration of the practice test is approximately 40 minutes.
Before you can take 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 Ruchu Drogowego WORD). For this purpose, you will need: your identification document and proof of payment of the fee, and a picture of yourself. If you don't speak Polish it is possible to be accompanied by a professional interpreter during the examination.
3. Practical test
If you're driving a car that has a foreign license, you'll also need to pass an actual test. This is a more difficult test than the theory one and the pass rate is quite low. You can only take the test in practice if you are legally resident in Poland. If not, your driving licence will be valid for a long time. You could also be fined if you are stopped by police for driving without a valid driving licence.
To pass the practical test you have to provide a completed application form - available online and to be filled out in Polish (Google Translate can help). You also need to have an official medical certificate that proves you're fit to drive.
Bring your photo ID and evidence of health insurance coverage and a recent colour photo (size 3,5cm x 4,5cm). You will be required to be registered as a driver 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.
It's a lengthy and complicated process, especially if your language skills are not up to scratch. It's a good idea to find an English-speaking instructor and make reservations for your lessons well in advance. You can also find a driving school that offer English lessons in certain regions.
The person who is applying for the Polish driver's license must submit the original copy of their residence permit or visa if they're not EU citizens. This is necessary to show that you've lived in Poland for 185 days or more.
The office will require proof of payment for the theory test and the practical test. führerschein in polen preise of the process should be about 1500 PLN. There is the option to pay in cash but this doesn't guarantee you faster processing of documents. The entire process takes between two and four weeks. In certain areas, it could be even longer. Consult your local office if are unsure of the deadlines.
4. Documents
For foreigners who have moved to Poland and wish to drive, getting the Polish driver's license is essential for avoiding problems with car insurance. Before they can get this, they have to pass the test in theory which will cost them. This is easier for foreigners who are citizens of countries which have signed the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic of 1968.
First they have to be able to prove that they have been living in Poland for at minimum six months. This can be proved through the registration of their local address or residence permit, or visa. The applicant must also fill out the application form in its entirety. The form is available on the internet or at an office in your area. A recent 35x45 millimeter photo and identification proof, such as a valid passport, should be included. They must also submit a medical certificate that confirms they are competent to drive.
Once they have submitted these documents, the voivodship office will prepare their driving licence to issue. This can take up to nine working days. Waiting times could be as long as 1 month in situations that require a thorough examination.
A foreign national will also need to submit a copy their medical certificate. It is essential to possess a valid medical certificate because without it, the person who is not able to obtain it will need to retake the theory test, which could extend the time they wait by two months.
After the driving license is issued it will be required to be paid at the office. The cost is 100 PLN (for EU citizens) and 250 PLN (for non-EU citizens). This cost can be paid via bank transfer or credit or debit card. The driver's license will then be sent to the applicant's home address. If the driving license is not issued due to any reason the City Mayor has the option to appeal to the Local Government Appeals Board of Rzeszow.