How Much Does an EU Driving License Cost?
Everyone wants to have an excellent driving license which will never expire. However, the reality is quite different.
The process of getting the Polish driver's license is a thorny process. The most important ones are: medical examination, theory and practical lessons. You must also meet the age requirements of the category for which you're applying for a driving licence.
1. Medical examination
The first thing to be done in order to get your driving license is obtaining a doctor's approval (orzeczenie lekarskie) that you can drive. It may sound strange however this is how it works in Poland. The doctor will ask you a plethora of naive questions about your health, such as 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 one of the countries that is a member of the EU or EEA or one that is a participant in the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic then you don't need to complete this process because your driving licence will be recognized as valid in Poland. If however, you're from a country which isn't part of any of these groups you'll have to take a medical exam and a practical and theoretical driving test in order to be able to obtain a Polish license.
It is possible to take both of these tests in English. However it's dependent on the center. It's a good idea to call ahead and verify availability before booking your appointment. It is also worth mentioning that if you don't have a sufficient amount of Polish to be able to pass the test, you'll need to hire an interpreter for the day.
Once you have your medical certificate you'll need to go to the district authority to fill out the driver profile (PKK - Profil Kandydata na Kierowce). You'll need a scan copy of your passport as well as evidence of your residence in Poland as well as a colour photo.
You then go to a special office in which they create your personal file and scan your documents. They then distribute them to your. You can then begin preparing for your driving tests and then enroll in driving schools. You will find WORD facilities in all major cities and many smaller ones too, although schools often require a payment in order to be able to run their classes.
2. Theory test
If you hold a driving license issued abroad, it is valid in Poland provided you carry an International Driving Permit ('IDP') along with it. If you plan to drive a car in Poland for a longer period than six months, you will need an IDP. It is mandatory to exchange the IDP in exchange for the Polish license if you don't have one. The procedure requires that you satisfy four requirements: you must be a Polish resident, you must pass medical tests and you must pass the state driving exam, and you must complete your driving lessons at an approved school by the government.
You'll need to submit an Driving Candidate Profile, as well as other documents in order to pass the state driving test. Those include your ID and health certificate, a certified driving instructor's report, and the photocopy of your passport or residency permit. The driving test is divided into two parts: the theoretical and the practical. The theory part consists of 32 multiple-choice questions covering topics like traffic signs, road signs, emergency protocol, and safe driving techniques. To pass you must answer correctly 26 questions.
The practical portion of your driving test involves driving on a public road under supervised supervision. During this period an instructor will be watching your ability to observe the rules of the road, especially in challenging situations such as roads or city streets. The duration of the practice test is around 40 minutes.
Before you can pass the state driving exam it is required to apply for an PKK (Driving Candidate Profile) at the Province Road Traffic Centers (Wojewodzkie Osrodki Ruchu Drogowego WORD). You will need your identity document as well as proof that you've paid the required fee as well as a photograph of yourself. If you don't speak Polish A professional translator can accompany you on the examination.
3. Practical test
You'll have to pass the practical test if you're driving with a foreign license. This is a harder test than the one for theory and the rate of passing is lower. You are only able to take the test on the spot if you are legally resident of Poland. If you're not, the driving licence will be indefinite and if you're stopped by the police, you could be fined for driving with a valid driver's licence.
In order to take the practical test, you'll need to fill out an application form - available on the internet and must be filled out in Polish (Google Translate can help). Also, you will require an official medical certificate proving that you are fit to drive.
You have to present a photo ID, the evidence of your health insurance coverage and one current photograph in colour (size 3,5 cm x 4,5 cm). You will be required to register as a driver candidate with the Department of Civil Affairs. This will require you fill out a Driver Profile of the candidate (RKK) to be issued a code to use within the system.
It's a long and complicated process, especially in the event that your language skills are not adequate. It's recommended to find an English-speaking instructor and make reservations for your lessons well in advance. In some regions you can also find driving schools that provide lessons in English.
A person who's seeking an Polish driving license has to submit a copy of the residence permit or visa for non-EU citizens. in polen führerschein machen is necessary to prove that you've been living in Poland for at least 185 days.
The office will require proof of payment for the theory test and the practical test. The total cost should be around 1,500 PLN. You can pay in cash however it doesn't guarantee speedier processing of your documents. The whole process takes around two to four weeks. In some areas it can be longer. If you're not sure about the deadlines, be sure to inquire with the office in your area.
4. Documents
It is essential for foreigners who want to drive in Poland to obtain a Polish driving license to avoid issues with their insurance coverage for cars. Before they can do this, they need to pass the theoretical test and pay. The good news is that if they are citizens of countries that have signed the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, this procedure will be much simpler than for non-natives.
The first thing they have to do is to ensure that they've lived in Poland for at least 6 months. This should be verified through either a local address registration, a residence permit, or the issuance of a visa. You must submit a completed application form. The form is available online or at an office in your area. They should also provide a recent photograph that measures 35 x 45 mm as well as documents of identification such as a passport. They must also submit an official health certificate to prove they are competent to drive.
The voivodship office will then make the driving licence documents for issuance. This can take up to nine working days. In cases that require an extensive examination, the waiting time can be up to 1 month.
In addition to the document that proves their right to live in Poland, a foreign citizen will need to provide a copy or a copy of their medical certificate. This is important because if they do not have an authentic health certificate, they'll be required to take the test and again, which could increase their waiting time by up to 2 months.
Once your driving licence has been issued and issued, you will need to pay an amount at the office. The fee is 100 PLN (for EU citizens) and 250 PLN (for non-EU citizens). This fee can be paid by bank transfer or credit or debit card. The applicant will be issued the driver's licence at their home address. If the driving license is not issued for any reason the City Mayor may appeal to the Local Government Appeals Board of Rzeszow.