How Much Does an EU Driving License Cost?
Everyone hopes to have a driving licence that will never expire. However, the reality is different.
The process of getting an Polish driving license is several steps. The most important ones include medical examination, theory and practical lessons. It is also important to meet the age requirements for the category of the driving license.
1. Medical examination
To get your driving license, first obtain the doctor's (orzeczenie lkarskie) confirmation that you are competent to drive. It might sound odd but this is the way it operates in Poland. The doctor will ask a series of silly questions about your health, such as if you are having problems with your vision, or other medical issues. They won't examine you physically. The cost of this exam is about 200 PLN.
If you're coming from a country that is part of the EU, EEA, or a signatory to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic you do not need to take this extra step since your driving license will be accepted as valid in Poland. If you're coming from a non-member nation, you will need to pass both a theory and a practice test as well as an exam for medical certification to obtain the Polish driving license.
Both exams can be taken in English however it is an occasional hit or miss depending on the centre. Call ahead to check on availability before making an appointment. You'll also have to hire an interpreter if the level of Polish is not high enough to pass the exam.
Once you've got your medical certificate, you must visit the district authorities and have an official driver's profile completed (PKK - Profil Kandydata na Kierowce). You'll need the passport scan, proof of your residency in Poland and a recent photograph in color.
You then go to an office that is specialized where they will create your personal file and scan your documents. They then distribute them to you. From there you can begin preparing for the tests and enroll at a driving school. WORD is available in most major cities, and in smaller ones. However some schools require a fee to run their courses.
2. Theory test
If you have a driving license issued abroad it is valid in Poland as long as you have an International Driving Permit ('IDP') along with it. You must have an IDP for every vehicle used in Poland for longer than six months. If not, you will need to exchange it in exchange for the Polish driving license. The process requires you to satisfy four requirements to be a Polish resident You must also pass medical tests and pass the state driving exam and then complete driving lessons at an approved school by the government.
You will need to submit the Driving Candidate Profile, as well as other documents to pass the state driving test. These include your ID and medical certificate, a valid driving instructor's report, and the photocopy of your passport or residency permit. The driving test is split into two parts, the theoretical part and the practical. The theoretical part includes thirty-two multiple-choice questions and covers such issues as road signs, traffic laws, emergency procedures and safe driving techniques. You must correctly answer at least 26 questions in order to pass.
The practical portion of the driving test involves driving a vehicle on a public road under controlled supervision. During this time, an instructor will be observing your ability to adhere to the rules of driving on the road particularly in difficult conditions like city streets or highways. The test will last approximately 40 minutes.
Before you can take the state driving exam, it is necessary to apply for PKK (Driving Candidate Profile) at the Province Road Traffic Centers (Wojewodzkie Osrodki Ruchudrogowego - WORD). To do this, you will need: your identification document as well as proof of paying the required fee and a photo of you. If you don't know Polish, a professional translator will accompany you during the test.
3. Practical test
You'll need to pass the practical test if driving on a foreign license. It's a more difficult test than the one for theory and the pass rate is low. It is only possible to take the test on the spot in the event that you are legally resident in Poland. If was kostet der führerschein in polen 're not, your driving licence is indefinite. You may also be fined if are stopped by the police for driving without a valid driver's license.
To pass the test, you have to complete an application form in Polish. Google Translate will help. You will also need a medical certificate that states you are competent to drive.
You will need to present an ID photo, proof of your health care coverage and one current photograph in color (size 3,5 cm x 4,5 cm). You must join the department of civil affairs as a driver candidate and this will require you to fill in a driving profile of the candidate (RKK) and then receive a code number to enter into the system.
It can be a long and difficult process, especially if your language skills are not adequate. It is recommended to hire an English-speaking driving instructor and schedule your lessons in advance. In certain regions, there are driving schools that provide lessons in English.
Anyone applying for an Polish driving license is required to provide a copy the residence permit or visa for non-EU citizens. This is required to prove that you have lived in Poland for at least 185 days.
The office will require proof of payment both for the theory and the practical test. The total cost should be around 1,500 PLN. There is the option of paying cash, but this doesn't guarantee you faster processing of documents. The entire process takes two to four weeks. In some places, it can take even longer. If you're uncertain about the deadlines, you'll need to contact your local office.
4. Documents
It is important for foreigners who want to drive in Poland to get the Polish driving license to avoid issues with their insurance for their car. However before they can do that they must pass the exam in theory, and this process costs them. The good part is that if they are citizens of countries who have signed the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic the procedure will be much simpler than for foreigners of other nationalities.
The first thing they must do is ensure that they have been in Poland for 6 months. This should be confirmed by either local address registration or a residence permit or a visa. They must also fill out a complete application form. The form is available on the internet or at the local office. You must also provide an up-to-date photo that measures 35 x 45 mm and evidence of identity such as a passport. They should also provide a health care certificate that proves they are qualified to drive.
The voivodship office will prepare the driving licence documents to issue. This can take up to nine working days. The waiting time could be as long as 1 month in situations that require a thorough examination.
A foreign national is also required to submit a copy their medical certificate. It is essential to have a valid medical certificate since without it, the person who is not able to obtain it will have to take a new theory test, which could increase their waiting period by as much as two months.
Once the driving licence is issued it will be required to be paid at the office. The fee is 100 PLN (for EU citizens) and 250 PLN (for non-EU citizens). This cost can be paid by bank transfer, debit or credit card. The driver's license will be sent to the address at which the applicant lives. If the driver's license is not issued due to any reason the City Mayor may appeal to the Local Government Appeals Board of Rzeszow.