How Much Does an EU Driving License Cost?
Everyone dreams about having a perfect driving licence, which will never expire. The reality is a bit different.
The process of getting an Polish driver's license can be a bit complicated. The most important are medical examinations as well as theory and practical instruction. It is also necessary to meet the age requirements for the category of the driving license.
1. Medical exam
The first thing to be done to get your driving license is to get the approval of a doctor (orzeczenie lekarskie) that you are able to drive. It may sound odd, but this is the way it works in Poland. The doctor will ask you a lot of silly questions about your health, for instance, whether you suffer from problems with your eyesight or any other medical issues but they will not actually examine you in any way. The fee for this exam is about 200 PLN.
If you're from a nation that is a part of the EU, EEA, or an EEA member under the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic you don't need to take this additional step as your driving license will be recognized 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 a medical exam to obtain a Polish driving license.
It is possible to pass both of these tests in English. However it is contingent on the center. Contact the centre ahead of time to confirm availability prior to making an appointment. It's also worth noting that in the event that you don't have a sufficient amount of Polish to be able to pass the exam, then you'll need to book an interpreter for the entire day.
After you've received your medical certificate, you'll must visit the district authority to get an official driver's profile completed (PKK Profile Kandydata na Kierowce). You'll need a scan of your passport, proof of your residency in Poland and one current photo in color.
Then, you visit an office specifically designed for you where they make your personal file, scan your documents and give them to you. Then you can begin getting ready for your driving test and sign up for a driving school. WORD is readily available in all major towns, and even in smaller ones. However certain schools require payment to run their courses.
2. Theory test
If you're a driver with an international driving permit, it's valid in Poland provided you have an International Driving Permit ("IDP"). If you intend to drive an automobile in Poland for more than six months, then you'll need an IDP. In other cases, it is required to exchange it to obtain an official Polish driving licence. You must meet four conditions to be able to complete the process: you must be a Polish citizen and you must have passed a medical test and pass a state driving exam and you must have completed driving lessons at a school that is approved 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 and health certificate, an approved driving instructor's report and a photocopy of your visa or residency permit. The driving test is split into two parts: the theoretical portion and the practical. The theoretical portion includes 32 multiple-choice questions that cover topics as road signs, traffic laws, emergency protocol and safe driving practices. You must be able to answer at least 26 questions in order to pass.
führerschein in polen kosten of your driving test is driving on a public highway under supervised supervision. During this time an instructor will be observing your ability to observe the rules of the road, especially in difficult situations such as city streets or highways. The duration of the practice test is about 40 minutes.
Before you can take the state driving exam it is required to apply for a PKK (Driving Candidate Profile) at the Province Road Traffic Centers (Wojewodzkie Osrodki Ruchudrogowego - WORD). To do this, you will need: your identity document, proof of payment of the fee required and a photo of you. If you don't speak Polish, you can be assisted by an experienced interpreter during the test.
3. Practical test
You'll have to pass the practical test if you're driving with a foreign license. It's a more difficult test than the one for theory and the pass rate is low. You can only take the practical test only if you're legally living in Poland. If not, your driving licence will remain indefinitely and when you're stopped by police you may be fined for driving without a valid driver's license.
In order to take the practical test, you'll need to submit a completed application form, which is online and needing to be filled out in Polish (Google Translate can help). You will also need a medical certificate that states you are fit to drive.
Bring an ID photo and proof of health insurance coverage along with a recent colour photograph (size 3,5cm x 4,5cm). You will be required to be registered as a driver with the Department of Civil Affairs. This requires that you complete a Driving Profile of the Candidate (RKK) in order to receive a number to use within the system.
The process can be complicated and time-consuming, particularly if you're not familiar with Polish language. It's best to hire an instructor who speaks English and book your lessons well in advance. In certain regions, there are driving schools that offer lessons in English.
Anyone who is applying for a Polish driving license has to provide a copy the residence permit or visa for non-EU citizens. This is required to prove that you've resided in Poland for at least 185 days.
The office will also require a evidence of payment for the practical and theory tests. The total cost of the process should be around 1500 PLN. Cash payments are accepted but it doesn't guarantee quicker processing of your documents. The entire process can take two to four weeks. In some places, it can be even longer. Ask the local office if are not sure of the deadlines.
4. Documents
For foreigners who have emigrated to Poland and wish to drive, obtaining a Polish driver's license is crucial to avoid issues with car insurance. Before they can do this, they must first pass the theoretical test and pay. 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 have to do is verify that they have lived in Poland for a minimum of six months. This must be proven by the registration of their local address or a residence permit or visa. The applicant must also fill out the complete application form. The form is available online or at the local office. They should also provide a recent photograph that measures 35 x 45 mm and evidence of identity like a passport. They should also provide a health care certificate that proves they are fit to drive.
After they have submitted the documents, the voivodship office will draft their driving license document for issue. This usually takes up to 9 working days. Waiting times can be as long as 1 month in cases that require a thorough exam.
In addition to the document proving the right to reside in Poland A foreign national must also provide a copy or a copy of their medical certificate. It is important to have a valid medical certificate because without it, the person who is not able to obtain it will be required to retake the theory test, which can extend the waiting time by two months.
Once your driving licence has been prepared and issued, you will need to pay an amount 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 then be mailed to the address at which the applicant lives. If, for any reason, the driving licence is not issued, an appeal could be made to the Local Government Appeals Board in Rzeszow through the City Mayor.