How Much Does an EU Driving License Cost?
Everyone hopes to have a driving licence that will never expire. But the reality is quite different.
Getting the Polish driving license is a lot of procedures. The most important ones are: medical examination, theory and practical lessons. It is also important to meet the requirements of age for the category of the driving license.
1. Medical exam
The first thing that needs to be done in order to get your driving license is to get the approval of a doctor (orzeczenie lekarskie) to drive. It may sound odd, but that's how it works in Poland. The doctor will ask you a number of questions that aren't really relevant to your health, such as the case if you're having issues with your vision or any other medical issue. They won't even examine you physically. The cost of this exam is about 200 PLN.
If you're an area that is part of the EU or EEA or a country that is a signatory to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic then you do not need to complete this process, as your driving licence is valid in Poland. If, however, you're from a nation that doesn't belong to either of these groups, then you'll need to pass a medical test as well as a theoretical and practical driving test in order to get an official Polish licence.
It is possible to pass both of these exams in English. However, it depends on the centre. It is recommended to call ahead and check availability before booking your appointment. You'll also have to book an interpreter if your level of Polish is not high enough to pass the exam.
After you've received your medical certificate, you have to visit the district authority and get an updated driver's profile (PKK Profil Kandydata na Kierowce). You'll need to submit a scan of your passport and proof of your residence in Poland and a current photograph in color.
Then, you visit a special office where they make your personal file and scan your documents to give them to you. From there you can begin to prepare for the tests and enroll in a driving school. You will find WORD facilities in all major towns and many smaller ones, although schools often require a fee to be able to run their classes.
2. Theory test
If you have a driving license issued in another country, it is valid in Poland provided you carry an International Driving Permit ('IDP') in addition to it. You must have an IDP for every vehicle driven in Poland for longer than six months. It is necessary to exchange the IDP in exchange for an official Polish licence if you don't have one. You must satisfy four requirements for the process to be completed that include: you must be a Polish citizen, you must have passed a medical exam, you must pass a state driving exam and you must have completed your driving lessons in a school that is approved by the government.
To take the state-issued driving test, you need a Driving Candidate Profile (PKK) and other documents. This includes your ID and health certificate, a letter from an approved driving instructor, and a copy of your visa or residence permit. The driving test itself consists of two parts: the theory part and the practical part. The theory part consists of 32 multiple-choice questions covering topics like traffic signs, road signs emergency protocols, safe driving techniques. You must be able to answer at least 26 of the questions to pass.
The practical part of the driving exam involves driving a vehicle on a public roadway under the supervision of a trained instructor. During this period an instructor will be observing your ability to adhere to the rules of the road, particularly in challenging situations such as roads or city streets. The practical test lasts approximately 40 minutes.
Before you can sit for 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). To do this, you will need: your identification document and proof of payment of the fee required and a photo of you. If you don't speak Polish, a professional translator can accompany you during the exam.
3. Practical test
If you're driving on a foreign licence you'll also have to pass the practical test. This is a harder test than the one for theory and the pass rate is low. Moreover, you can take the test in a practical manner only if you're legally living in Poland. If not, your driving licence will be indefinite and when you're stopped by police, you could be fined for driving with a valid driver's licence.
In order to take the test, you need to provide a completed application form that is available on the internet and must be filled out in Polish (Google Translate can help). Also, you must have medical evidence that shows you're fit to drive.
You have to present an ID photo, evidence of your health insurance coverage, and a recent photo in color (size 3,5 cm x 4,5 cm). You must sign up as a driver candidate with the Department of Civil Affairs. lkw führerschein in polen machen requires that you fill out a Driving Profile of the candidate (RKK) to receive a number to use within the system.
It's a long and complex process, particularly when your English skills are not up to par. It's a good idea to hire an English-speaking instructor and to make reservations for your lessons well in advance. You can also find driving schools that offer English lessons in certain regions.
The person applying for a Polish driver's license has to submit the original copy of their residence permit or visa if not EU citizens. This is required to show that you've lived in Poland for more than 185 days.
The office will also require a proof of payment for theory and practical tests. The total cost of the test should be around 1,500 PLN. Cash payments are accepted but it doesn't guarantee quicker processing of your documents. The entire process takes two to four weeks. In some areas it can take longer. If you're uncertain about the deadlines, be sure to inquire with your local office.
4. Documents
For foreigners who have emigrated to Poland and want to drive, obtaining an Polish driver's license is crucial to avoid issues with insurance for cars. However, before they can obtain that they must pass the theory test and this costs them. This is easier for foreigners who are citizens of countries which have signed the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic of 1968.
The first thing they need to do is to ensure that they've lived in Poland for at least 6 months. This is verified by the registration of their local address, residence permit or visa. The applicant should also submit the application form in its entirety. You can find the form online or in the local office. They should also provide an up-to-date photo that measures 35 x 45 millimeters and documents of identification like a passport. Finally, they must include an official certificate from the health care system which states that they do not have any health contraindications to driving.
After they have submitted these documents after which the voivodship office will prepare the driving licence document to issue. This can take up to nine working days. If you require extensive testing, the waiting time can be as long as one month.
In addition to the document proving the right to reside in Poland A foreign national will need to submit a copy of their medical certificate. This is essential since if they don't have an authentic health certificate, they'll be required to take the test again, which can increase their waiting time by as much as 2 months.
After 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 fee is payable via bank transfer or credit or debit card. The driver's license will be sent to the applicant's home address. If for any reason, the driving licence is not issued, an appeal may be made to the Local Government Appeals Board in Rzeszow through the City Mayor.