How Much Does an EU Driving License Cost?
Everyone wants a driving license that will never expire. However, the reality is very different.
The process of getting a Polish driving license involves a lot of procedures. The most important ones are: medical exam, theory and practical classes. It is also important to meet the requirements of age for the category of driving license.
1. Medical exam
To get your driving license, you must first get the doctor's (orzeczenie Lkarskie) confirmation that you are qualified to drive. It may sound odd, but it's the way things work in Poland. The doctor will ask you a bunch of questions that aren't really relevant to your health, for instance, the possibility of problems with your eyesight, or any other medical issues and will never physically examine you in any way. The fee for this exam is about 200 PLN.
If you're coming from one of the countries that is a member 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 do this, as your driving licence will be recognized as valid in Poland. If you are coming from a country that is not a member you must pass both a theory and a practice test as well as a medical exam to obtain the Polish driving license.
Both of these tests can be conducted in English, however it is somewhat of a hit or miss depending on the centre. It's a good idea to call ahead and verify availability prior to making an appointment. It's also worth mentioning that If you don't have sufficient level of Polish to pass the exam, then you'll have to book an interpreter for the entire day.
Once you have your medical certificate you'll need to go to the district authority to fill out an individual driver profile (PKK - Profil Kandydata na Kierowce). You will need to take the passport scan and proof of your residence in Poland and one current photograph in color.
You then go to a special office, where they create your personal file and scan your documents. They then hand them to your. At this point you can begin preparing for the test and enroll at a driving academy. You will find WORD facilities in all major cities, and most smaller ones as well but most schools require a payment in order to be able to run their classes.
2. Theory test
If you hold a foreign driving license valid in Poland provided you have an International Driving Permit ("IDP"). If you plan to operate in a vehicle in Poland for a longer period than six months, you'll require an IDP. Otherwise, it is necessary to exchange it in exchange for an official Polish driving licence. The process requires that you meet four criteria to be a Polish resident, you must have passed medical exams and pass the state-approved driving test, and you must complete your driving lessons at an approved school by the government.
To take the state-issued driving test you must have a Driving Candidate Profile (PKK) and other documents. Those include your ID as well as medical certificate, a valid driving instructor's report, and the photocopy of your passport or residency permit. The driving test itself consists of two parts: the theoretical part and the practical part. The theoretical portion includes 32 multiple-choice questions that cover subjects as road signs traffic laws, emergency protocol and safe driving practices. To pass you must be able to answer 26 questions.
The practical part of the driving exam involves driving a car on a road that is public and under supervised supervision. During this period an instructor will be monitoring your ability to adhere to the rules of the road, particularly in challenging situations such as roads or city streets. The test is approximately 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). To apply for this, you will need: your identity document, proof of payment of the fee, and a photo of you. If you don't know Polish an experienced translator will accompany you during the examination.
3. Practical test
If you're driving a car on a foreign licence you'll also have to pass an actual test. This is a more difficult test than the one for theory and the pass rate is very low. Furthermore, you are able to take the test in a practical manner only if you're legally resident in Poland. If you're not, your driving license is indefinite. You may also be fined if you are stopped by police for driving without a valid driving licence.
In order to take the practical test you have to submit a completed application form that is available online and needing to be filled out in Polish (Google Translate can help). You also need to have an official medical certificate that proves you're qualified to drive.
You will need to bring a photo ID, the evidence of your health insurance coverage, and a recent photo 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 Driving Profile of the candidate (RKK) in order to receive a number to use within the system.
It can be a long and difficult process, especially if your language skills aren't adequate. It is best to find an English-speaking driving instructor and book your lessons well in advance. In certain areas, there are driving schools that offer lessons in English.
The person who applies for a Polish driver's license has to submit the original copy of their residence permit or visa if they are 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 the practical and theory tests. The total cost should be about 1,500 PLN. There is a possibility of paying cash, however, this does not guarantee speedier processing of documents. The entire process can take between two and four weeks. In some areas, it can take even longer. If you're unsure about the deadlines, be sure to ask the office in your area.
4. Documents
It is essential for foreigners wanting to drive in Poland to get the Polish driving license to be able to avoid problems with their insurance for their car. However, before they can do that, they must pass the theory test, and this process costs them. The good aspect is that if they are citizens of countries who have signed the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, this process will be much less difficult than for other foreigners.
The first thing they must do is ensure that they've lived in Poland for 6 months. This can be proved through an address registration for local addresses or residence permit, or visa. The applicant should also submit the entire application form. The form can be found online or at a local office. A recent 35 x45 millimeter photograph and identification proof like an authentic passport, must be included. Finally, führerschein in polen kosten must include an official health care system which affirms that they don't have any health issues that prevent them from driving.
The voivodship office will prepare the driving licence documents to issue. It can take up to nine working days. Waiting times can extend to 1 month in situations which require a thorough examination.
A foreign national will also need to submit a copy his or her medical certificate. It is important to possess a valid medical certificate since without it, the foreigner may have to take a new theory test, which could increase the waiting time by two months.
Once your driving license is prepared, you will be required to pay an office fee. This is 100 PLN for EU citizens and 250 PLN for those who are not EU citizens. This fee can be paid by bank transfer, debit card, or credit card. The driver's license will then be mailed to the address of the applicant's home. If, for any reason, the driving license is not issued, an appeal could be filed to the Local Government Appeals Board in Rzeszow by contacting the City Mayor.