How Much Does an EU Driving License Cost?
Everyone wants to have a perfect driving licence, that will never expire. The reality is a bit different.
Getting an Polish driving license involves a lot of procedures. The most important are the medical exam, theory and practical classes. You must also meet the age requirements of the category in which you are applying for a driver's license.
1. Medical exam
The first thing to be completed to obtain your driving licence is getting a doctor's approval (orzeczenie lekarskie) that you can drive. It may sound strange but this is the way it is done 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 issues and will never physically examine you at all. The cost for this exam is approximately 200 PLN.
If you're from a country which is part of the EU, EEA, or a signatory to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic you do not need to take this additional step since your driving license will be accepted as valid in Poland. If you are coming from a non-member nation you must pass both a practical and theoretical test, and also an exam for medical certification to obtain an official Polish driving licence.
Both of these exams can be completed in English however it is somewhat of a chance to fail or succeed based on the center. Call ahead to check on availability prior to making an appointment. It's also worth mentioning that in the event that you don't have a sufficient amount of Polish to easily ace the exam, then you'll need to hire an interpreter for the duration of the exam.
Once you have your medical certificate, you'll have to visit the district authority to get an official driver's profile completed (PKK - Profil Kandydata na Kierowce). You will need a scanned copy of your passport as well as 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 and scan your documents to give them to you. You can then start getting ready for your driving test and then enroll in a driving school. There are WORD facilities in all major towns and a lot of smaller ones as well however, most schools require a deposit to hold their courses.
2. Theory test
If you have an international driving permit, it's valid in Poland if you also carry an International Driving Permit ("IDP"). If you intend to drive an automobile in Poland for a longer period than six months, then you'll need an IDP. Otherwise, it is necessary to exchange it for the Polish driving license. The procedure requires that you meet four conditions: you must be a Polish resident You must also pass medical tests, you must pass the state-issued driving test and then complete your driving lessons at an approved by the government.
To pass the state-issued driving test you will require a Driving Candidate Profile (PKK) and other documents. Those include your ID as well as health certificate, a certified driving instructor's certificate and a photocopy of your visa or residency permit. führerschein in polen machen driving test itself consists of two parts: the theoretical part and the practical part. The theory portion consists of 32 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as traffic signs, road signs and emergency procedures, as well as safe driving techniques. You must correctly answer at least 26 questions to pass.
The practical part of the driving test consists of driving a vehicle on a public roadway under controlled supervision. During this period, an instructor will be watching your ability to follow the rules of the road, particularly in challenging situations such as highways or city streets. The test is approximately 40 minutes.
Before you can pass the state driving exam you must apply for a PKK (Driving Candidate Profile) at the Province Road Traffic Centers (Wojewodzkie Osrodki Ruchu Drogowego - WORD). You'll need to present your identity document and proof that you have paid the fee that is required and a picture of yourself. If you don't speak Polish an experienced translator can accompany you on the exam.
3. Practical test
You'll have to pass the practical test if you're driving with a foreign driver's license. This is a more difficult test than the theory one and the success rate is very low. Additionally, you can take the test in a practical manner only if you're legally living in Poland. If you're not, your driving license will be valid for a long time and should you be stopped by police you may be fined for driving with an official driver's license.
To pass the practical test, you'll need to provide a completed application form, which is online and needing to be completed in Polish (Google Translate can help). You'll also require an official medical certificate that proves you are competent to drive.
You must bring an ID photo, proof of your health care coverage, and a current photo in colour (size 3,5 cm x 4,5 cm). You will have to sign up with the department of civil affairs as a driver candidate - this will require you to complete an online profile of the driving candidate (RKK) and receive a code number that you can use in the system.
The process can be complicated and time-consuming, particularly in the event that you're unfamiliar with Polish language. It's recommended to hire an English-speaking instructor and to schedule your lessons in advance. In some regions you can also find driving schools that provide lessons in English.
Anyone who is seeking a Polish driving license is required to provide a copy of the residence permit or visa for non-EU citizens. This is required to prove that you've been living in Poland for more than 185 days.
The office will require proof of payment both for the theory test and the practical test. The total cost of the process is approximately 1500 PLN. There is the option of paying cash, but this doesn't guarantee you faster processing of documents. The entire process can take two to four weeks. In some areas it can take longer. If you're not sure about the deadlines, it's best to contact the office in your area.
4. Documents
For foreigners who have moved to Poland and would like to drive, obtaining an Polish driver's license is essential to avoid issues with car insurance. However, before they can obtain that they must pass the theory test and this will cost them. The good aspect is that if they're citizens of countries who have signed the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, this procedure will be much simpler than for other foreigners.
The first thing they have to do is to ensure that they have lived in Poland for a minimum of six months. This must be documented through either a local address registration, a residence permit, or an entry visa. They must also submit a complete application form. The form can be found on the internet or at a local office. You must also provide a recent photograph that measures 35 x 45 millimeters and documents of identification like a passport. They must also include a health care certificate that proves they are fit to drive.
Once they have submitted these documents The voivodship office will prepare their driving licence for issue. It can take up to nine working days. If the case requires extensive testing the wait time could be as long as a month.
A foreign national also needs to submit a copy of the medical certificate of their doctor. This is crucial since if they don't have an authentic health certificate, they will be required to take the test again, which can increase the time they wait for the exam by as much as 2 months.
Once the driving license has been issued, a fee will need to be paid at the office. The cost is 100 PLN (for EU citizens) and 250 PLN (for non-EU citizens). This cost is payable via bank transfer, debit or credit card. The driver's license will then be mailed to the applicant's home address. If the driver's license is not issued for any reason, the City Mayor can appeal to the Local Government Appeals Board of Rzeszow.