How Much Does an EU Driving License Cost?
Everyone wants to have an ideal driving license, which will never expire. But the reality is quite different.
The process of getting an Polish driving license is many steps. The most important are: medical examination, theory and practical lessons. You must also meet the age requirements of the category for which you're applying for a driver's license.
1. Medical examination
The first thing that needs to be done in order to get your driving license is obtaining an approval from a doctor (orzeczenie lekarskie) that you are able to drive. It might sound weird but this is the way it works in Poland. The doctor will ask you a number of questions that aren't really relevant to your health, such as if you are having problems with your vision or other medical problems. They won't even examine you physically. The cost of this exam is approximately 200 PLN.
If you're from one of the countries that is a member of the EU or EEA or a country which is a member of the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic then you don't have to take this step because your driving licence will be recognised as valid in Poland. If you're coming from a non-member country, you will need to pass both a theory and a practice test as well as an examination for medical reasons to get a Polish driving licence.
It is possible to pass both of these tests in English. However, it depends on the center. It's a good idea to call ahead and confirm availability prior to making an appointment. You will also need to hire a translator if your level of Polish isn't sufficient to pass the exam.
Once you have your medical certificate you will need to visit the district authority to fill in the driver profile (PKK Profile Kandydata na Kierowce). You'll need a scan copy of your passport as well as proof of your residency in Poland, as well as an image in color.
You then go to an office that is specialized, where they create your personal file and scan your documents. They then hand them to you. At this point you can begin preparing for the test and enroll at a driving school. You will find WORD facilities in all major cities, and a lot of smaller ones, although schools often require a payment in order to be able to run their courses.
2. Theory test
If you have a driving license issued in another country it is valid in Poland in the event that you have an International Driving Permit ('IDP') along with it. If you plan to operate in a vehicle in Poland for a period longer than six months, you'll need an IDP. It is required to exchange your IDP for the Polish licence if you do not have one. You must satisfy four requirements for the process to be completed that include: you must be a Polish citizen and you must pass a medical examination, you must pass a state driving exam and you must have completed driving lessons at a driving school that has been approved by the government.
To take the state-issued driving test, you need a Driving Candidate Profile (PKK) and other documents. These include your ID and health certificate, a report from a driving instructor who is approved and a copy of your visa or residence permit. The driving test is divided into two parts, the theoretical part and the practical. The theory portion comprises 32 multiple-choice tests that cover subjects such as road signs, traffic rules and emergency procedures, as well as safe driving techniques. To pass, you must correctly answer 26 questions.
The practical part of your driving test entails driving on a public highway under supervised supervision. During this period, a driver will evaluate your ability to follow the rules of driving on the road particularly in challenging situations such as roads or city streets. The duration of the practice test is approximately 40 minutes.
Before you can take your state driving test, you need to apply for a PKK at the Province Road Traffic Centers. For this purpose, you will need: your identity document and proof of payment of the required fee and a photograph of you. If you don't speak Polish it is possible to be accompanied by a professional interpreter during the test.
3. Practical test
If you're driving that has a foreign license, you'll also have to pass the practical test. It's a more difficult test than the one for theory and the rate of passing is lower. Moreover, you can take the practical test only if you're legally residing in Poland. If you're not, your driving license will be valid for a long time and if you're stopped by the police, you could be fined for driving with a valid driver's license.
In order to take the test, you need to provide a completed application form - 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 qualified to drive.
You have to bring an ID photo, proof of your health care coverage and one current photograph in color (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 Driver Profile of the Candidate (RKK) in order to be issued a code to use within the system.
The process can be difficult and time-consuming, especially in the event that you're unfamiliar with Polish language. It's recommended to hire an English-speaking instructor and to book your lessons in advance. In some regions there are driving schools that offer lessons in English.
The person who is applying for a Polish driver's license must provide an original copy of their residence permit or visa if they're not EU citizens. This is required to prove that you have resided in Poland for at least one 185-day period.
The office will also require proof of payment for practical and theory tests. The total cost of the process should be around 1500 PLN. You can pay cash but it doesn't guarantee faster processing of your documents. The entire process takes two to four weeks. In some places it could take longer. Contact your local office if are unsure of the deadlines.
4. Documents
It is important for foreigners who want to drive in Poland to obtain the Polish driving license in order to avoid problems with their car insurance. Before they can obtain this, they have to pass the theoretical test which will cost them. The good aspect is that if they're citizens of countries that have signed the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic the process will be much less difficult than for non-natives.
The first thing they have to do is to ensure that they've lived in Poland for a minimum of six months. This should be confirmed through either a local address registration, a residence permit, or the issuance of a visa. They should also fill out a complete application form. You can find the form on the internet or at a local office. They must also submit a recent photograph that measures 35 x 45 mm as well as evidence of identity like a passport. They must also include an official health certificate that proves they are competent to drive.
After they have submitted these documents after which the voivodship office will draft their driving licence to issue. This usually takes up to 9 working days. The waiting time could be as long as one month in cases which require a thorough examination.
In addition to the document that demonstrates their right to live in Poland A foreign national must provide a copy or a copy of their medical certificate. It is important to have a valid medical certification since without it, the foreigner may need to retake the theory test, which could extend their waiting period by as much as two months.
Once führerschein in polen kosten driving licence is issued it will be required to be paid at the office. This fee is 100 PLN to EU citizens and 250 PLN for citizens who are not EU citizens. This cost can be paid by bank transfer or credit or debit card. The driver's licence will be sent to the applicant's home address. If for any reason the driving licence is not issued, an appeal can be filed to the Local Government Appeals Board in Rzeszow by contacting the City Mayor.