Assistance in obtaining and replacing driver’s license. We assist our clients in replacing their driver’s license to stay mobile and continue legally using their car in Poland.
Driver’s license replacements
Polish driver’s license
Free consultation
Obtaining a License
Członek Sądu Koleżeńskiego SPPON (Stowarzyszenie Pomorskie Pośredników w Obrocie Nieruchomościami) Licencja 29826
Author and teacher of a course for real estate agents
Polish law provides for liability for foreigners who do not replace their driver’s license after 6 months from the date of entry into the country. However, police officers checking documents may not pay attention to the period of stay in Poland at all or may only make a remark for a license issued by another country. But this is not always the case. Most often – you will have to answer for breaking the law.
Consequences for driving a car without the appropriate documents:
If the question arises whether you need to change your license in Poland, you should take into account that driving a vehicle with an invalid driver’s license is always a risk. Therefore, you should replace your foreign license with a Polish one to avoid fines and serious problems. Also, you can always contact specialists who will help you to determine the need to exchange your license and properly execute the documents.
On December 31, 2023, the Act “On the Special Procedure for the Functioning of Transport and Maritime Economy in Connection with the Armed Conflict on the Territory of Ukraine” expired. For this reason, from the beginning of 2024, Ukrainian citizens who temporarily or permanently reside in Poland for more than 6 months must replace their Ukrainian driver’s license with a Polish one.
Citizens of other countries, who in general stay in Poland for more than 185 days per year, are also obliged to exchange their foreign driver’s license for a Polish one if they want to move freely around the country behind the wheel of a car.
When you still need to exchange your driver’s license in Poland:
Ukrainians generally do not need to retake the exam to obtain a Polish driver’s license. But there are situations when it will be necessary to do so. First of all, it concerns persons who stay in Poland for more than 185 days without temporary protection status, work or study permit and have a driver’s license that does not meet the requirements of Polish law. To check your status and find out whether you need to replace your driving license, make an appointment with us for a consultation in a convenient way.
In general, a driver’s license in Poland can be obtained in 1-2 months from the date of application. In order to speed up the process, avoid mistakes in the documents and complete the procedure in compliance with the legal requirements, seek professional help.
We help our clients exchange their driver’s license to remain mobile and continue legally using their car in Poland. We provide a full turnkey service, with a timeline starting from 3 weeks.
The cost of the service is 1500 PLN.
The driver’s license is issued within 1 to 2 months. During this period, the Ukrainian driver’s license remains with its owner. Only upon receiving the new Polish document, the old Ukrainian driver’s license will be taken from the driver. It is worth noting that the new Polish driver’s license will be issued for the same period as the Ukrainian one, but with the maximum possible validity period of up to 15 years.
All foreigners who have a driver’s license and plan to study, live and work in Poland need to replace their license. It is also necessary to replace a foreign driver’s license if it does not meet the requirements of Polish law.
A driver’s license in Poland is exchanged at local authorities. You can apply to the Uząd Starosta, city or district office that corresponds to your place of registration.
To replace your driver’s license, register for a specific day in the necessary state institution, collect a package of documents, write an application and submit it to the inspector. You will also have to pay the state duty and consular fee if you request the authenticity of your driver’s license through a diplomatic mission.
If you want to avoid mistakes and delays due to incomplete information or problems with documents, consult our specialists. We have lawyers, migration consultants, interpreters and other specialists who are ready to support you in any situation and help you go through all procedures as quickly and confidently as possible. For advice, call us, leave a request on our website or in messengers.
If you are interested in replacing your driver’s license abroad, in particular in Poland, this service is not free of charge. You will have to pay a state fee of 100.5 zl and a consular fee of 125 zl.
The services of a sworn interpreter and lawyer, as well as obtaining a medical certificate are charged additionally. You can find out more about the cost and specifics of driver’s license exchange in Poland and other EU countries from our consultants by phone.
To obtain a new license in Poland, you need to properly draw up an application according to a clearly defined template, collect the documents and apply to the local authorities at the place of registration. After paying the fees and charges and submitting the documents, the inspector will issue you a temporary permit to drive a vehicle in Poland. This certificate is valid until you receive a Polish driver’s license. On the day you receive your new license, you must hand over your old foreign license.
When exchanging a driver’s license, the driver receives a certificate that confirms the fact of applying for a Polish license and allows you to drive a car in Poland. That is, even if you have been in Poland for more than six months and your driving license issued by another country is recognized as invalid, you can drive a vehicle without hindrance.
Yes, but there are nuances. Ukraine, like Poland, is a party to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, so a Ukrainian driver’s license is recognized as valid in Poland. Ukrainians can move freely around the country and not be afraid of a fine, if they came under the visa-free regime and plan to be here for a short time. But if citizens of Ukraine intend to study, live permanently or obtain temporary protection status in Poland, then in case of staying in the country for more than 185 days a year, according to Polish law, it is necessary to replace the Ukrainian license with a Polish one.
To exchange a driver’s license in Poland, you need to write a sample application, attach a 3.5×4.5 cm photo, a copy of the foreign driver’s license with a sworn translation into Polish, the driver’s passport, data on registration and legal stay in Poland, receipts for payment of state duty and fees, a medical certificate if necessary and other documents. To learn more about the procedure of driver’s license replacement and to get a full list of documents, please contact our consultants.
Ukrainian driving license is valid in Poland for 6 months from the date of entry into the country. Ukrainians who stay in Poland for more than 185 days per year in total, have been granted temporary protection status or permanently reside in the country, must obtain a Polish license even if they have exchanged their driver’s license for an international one before going abroad.
Usually, if there are no problems with the documents and authentication of the foreign license through the diplomatic mission, the new driver’s license will be ready in 30 days. However, sometimes the process may take longer and last 2 months. olschi within 6 months from the date of entry into the country.
No. If you want to get a Polish driver’s license, you will have to give up your Ukrainian one, because it is the exchange of driver’s licenses that takes place, not just getting a new Polish license.
According to Ukrainian legislation, a Polish driver’s license is valid in Ukraine for 60 days after obtaining a permanent residence permit. After that, the license must be replaced with a Ukrainian one.
If a Polish citizen is temporarily in Ukraine and has a valid driver’s license without restrictions, it is not necessary to replace it with a Ukrainian one.
For Ukrainians who lived in other countries and returned home, it is necessary to replace the driver’s license after 2 years abroad or any other long period, if they received a foreign driver’s license. To exchange a driver’s license, it is necessary to apply to the service center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and submit an application and relevant documents no later than two months after return. In case of replacing the Polish license with a Ukrainian one, it will not be necessary to retake the theoretical and practical examination.
Polish licenses are issued for the same period as Ukrainian ones, but for a maximum of 15 years.
Persons over 60 years old, who according to the results of medical examination have restrictions for driving vehicles, are issued a license for a period of 5 years. After the expiry of this period they can be renewed, but you will have to pass the driving commission again.
Driving license replacement in Poland takes place in Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk and Wroclaw. You need to apply to the udząd of the warden, city or district office that corresponds to your place of registration.
In order to facilitate and speed up the process, correctly draw up the application and collect all the necessary documents, get help from our specialists. We provide consultations on legalization and exchange of driving licenses, translate documents into Polish and offer full support of the license replacement procedure. For more information, call us, send us a message on the messenger of your choice or fill out a short form on the website and we will call you back.
For foreigners who want to live, work and drive in Poland without hindrance, replacing a driver’s license with a Polish one is a mandatory step. Compliance with the requirements stipulated by the legislation allows you to move freely around the country without worrying that your license will be recognized as invalid. And in case of a traffic violation or accident, it will help you avoid additional problems with the police and the insurance company.
For convenient and quick exchange of your driver’s license, please contact Real Consult. Our specialists will explain the norms of legislation, help you prepare all documents, correctly compile an application for replacement of driver’s license and submit it in compliance with the procedure. We provide professional advice and offer full support. We cooperate with the relevant state authorities instead of you.
Replacing a driver’s license in Poland is a necessary procedure for citizens of other countries who reside here permanently or for a long time. The process involves exchanging a license issued by another country for a new Polish one, which allows you to drive vehicles in Poland legally.
According to Polish law, it is not necessary to attend courses and take exams again. Such a need may arise only in cases stipulated by law, in particular if it is a license issued by a country that is not part of the EU, is not a party to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic and has not concluded a corresponding agreement with Poland.
For those who do not know the Polish language and legislation, exchanging a driver’s license can be a complicated procedure. After all, you will need to collect a package of documents and write an application. In order to facilitate the process, avoid mistakes and delays due to incorrect or incomplete information, it is advisable to get help from specialists.
Real Consult provides comprehensive support services for foreigners in Poland. You can contact us with any questions related to legalization, education, purchasing real estate and obtaining a Polish driver’s license.
Competent assistance is extremely important abroad. After all, thanks to the support of specialists it is possible to facilitate the adaptation process, to pass all the necessary bureaucratic procedures easily, quickly and without problems in order to legalize your stay in Poland, to get rid of the fear of being deported and to avoid fines.
As of January 1, 2024, Ukrainians who permanently or temporarily reside in Poland for more than 6 months and have a driver’s license must replace it with a Polish one. By that time, the Law “On the Special Procedure for the Functioning of Transport and Maritime Economy in Connection with the Armed Conflict on the Territory of Ukraine” was in force, so Ukrainian citizens could use a Ukrainian driver’s license even if it expired. Since this law is no longer in force, Ukrainian drivers, like citizens of other countries, must replace their license with a Polish one in order to drive without obstacles.
At the same time, Polish law allows the use of a Ukrainian driver’s license for persons who came to Poland for tourism or other purposes under a visa-free regime. But only on condition that they will stay in the country for less than half a year. But if Ukrainian citizens study in Poland, want to get a job here or get temporary protection, they will have to change their driver’s license.
The replacement of a driver’s license with a Polish one takes place after moving to Poland for permanent residence. If a person stays in the country for more than 185 days per year in total and not necessarily consecutively, the Ukrainian driver’s license is invalid, so it must be replaced with a Polish one.
Citizens of countries that have not concluded an agreement with Poland on mutual recognition and exchange of driving licenses must also exchange their driving licenses. This also applies if the foreign license does not meet Polish standards. For example, if there are differences in categories or medical requirements. In order to drive a car, such persons will have to pass the theoretical and practical examination again to obtain a Polish license.
Polish law stipulates responsibility for foreigners who do not exchange their driver’s license within 6 months from the date of entry into the country. However, during document checks, police officers may not pay attention to the person’s period of stay in Poland at all, or they may only issue a warning regarding licenses issued by another country. But this is not always the case. Most often, one will have to answer for violating the law.
Consequences of driving a car without the appropriate documents:
If the question arises whether it is necessary to exchange a driver’s license in Poland, consider that driving a vehicle with an invalid driver’s license is always a risk. Therefore, it is necessary to exchange a foreign license for a Polish one to avoid fines and more serious problems. You can also always consult specialists who will help you determine the necessity of exchanging your license and correctly оформлять (process) the documents.
Exchanging a driver’s license in Poland takes place at local authorities.
There are four license exchange centers in the country, located in Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk and Wroclaw. But the documents must be submitted at the place of registration to the following institutions:
Each authority has a special department that deals with the issue of driver’s license replacement. To apply for a Polish driver’s license, you need to pick up a ticket at the relevant office, make an appointment online or contact a consulting company for assistance.
Real Consult specialists provide services in Gdańsk and also help residents of cities such as Gdynia, Reda, Rumia, Sopot, Borkowo, Zhukowo, Pruszcz Gdański, etc. to apply for a driver’s license.
To obtain a Polish driver’s license, you must first find out which office corresponds to your registration address and make an appointment for a specific day to submit your documents. Please note that some authorities require online pre-registration.
Step-by-step algorithm of actions:
Get a sample application and a list of documents you need to attach to it. Gather all the necessary documents, make copies and certified translation. Find out about the fees and charges to be paid.
On a certain day and time, come to the office. Pay the fees required by law. Write and submit an application together with a package of documents and receipts. The inspector will issue you a corresponding certificate – a permit to drive a vehicle for the period until you receive your Polish license.
Find out the day, time and method of obtaining your driver’s license. Pick up your Polish driver’s license and surrender your own.
In case of refusal to issue a driver’s license to a foreigner in Poland, you can apply to the Appeals Commission within 14 days to appeal against this decision.
If the Ukrainian driver’s license is damaged or lost, the exchange process will be more complicated and longer, as it is necessary to apply to the Ukrainian embassy/consulate to restore the documents.
Polish law does not set a specific time limit for exchanging a driver’s license. It only states that it must be done if a person stays in the country for more than 185 days a year. In other words, if you arrived in Poland more than six months ago, you must replace your foreign driver’s license with a Polish one.
The list of documents for exchanging a foreign driver’s license for a Polish one is publicly available. However, it is advisable to check in advance with the local authority at the place of registration, which documents are needed, so that on a certain day to be fully prepared and provide all the necessary information.
Basic documents:
The application must also be accompanied by a medical certificate issued in your country by the driving commission. If the certificate has expired, you will need to undergo the same commission in Poland. The document must contain a general medical report and a psychiatrist’s report.
To get a driver’s license in Poland for Ukrainians who do not have temporary protection status (PESEL UKR), you need to make a request for authenticity of the driver’s license. It is made by an inspector through the diplomatic mission to confirm that the driver’s license is valid.
In this case, the procedure involves summoning the foreigner to the consulate, where the driver will be required to update the Reserve+ application in the presence of representatives of the diplomatic mission. If there are no violations, a request for the authenticity of the driver’s license to Ukraine is submitted. In other cases, you will receive a refusal and will be offered to visit the TCC on the territory of Ukraine.
In general, the process of replacing a driver’s license through the consulate lasts 4-6 months. If you want to do everything much faster and avoid visiting a diplomatic mission, contact the experts of Real Consult. Our lawyers and other specialists will help you to replace your driver’s license without consulate and Reserve+.
You should be informed about the readiness of the Polish driving license by a message to your phone number or by e-mail. You can also find the relevant information on the website of local authorities.
It takes 1-2 months to replace a driver’s license. If there are problems with the documents or consular request, it will take longer for the exchange. Therefore, if there is no notification that the Polish license is ready in 1-1.5 months from the date of application, you can check the status online.
Real Consult offers support services for foreigners in Poland. We help you to legalize in the country, purchase housing and other real estate, register as a private entrepreneur, obtain a work permit, and process documents to replace your driver’s license.
Our goal is to simplify your life abroad. Therefore, our specialists will take care of all bureaucratic procedures and help you solve any of your questions related to permanent or temporary residence in Poland.
6 reasons to contact us:
We provide the specific services you need to solve your problem and offer full turnkey support that will save you time and nerves.
Our specialists will not leave you alone with the problem. We will analyze your situation and provide clear recommendations on how to proceed. If necessary, we will prepare documents and submit an application to the local authorities to exchange your driver’s license instead of you – for your comfort.
We work in Gdańsk, but we are not strictly tied to a location. Our mobility allows us to provide professional support to Ukrainians and citizens of other countries living not only in Warsaw, Krakow and Gdansk, but also in smaller cities such as Gdynia, Reda, Rumia, Sopot, Borkowo, Zhukowo, Pruszcz Gdansk and others. To quickly replace your driver’s license in Poland, contact us by phone or messengers Telegram, Viber, WhatsApp. You can also make an appointment for a consultation on our website by filling out a special form.
