How Much Does an EU Driving License Cost?
Everyone wants to have a perfect driving licence, that will never expire. However, the reality is very different.
The process for obtaining a Polish driver's license is a thorny process. The most important ones are medical examinations and theory as well as practical lessons. You must also meet the age requirements of the category for which you are applying for a driver's license.
1. Medical examination
To obtain your driver's license, you must first obtain a doctor's (orzeczenie lkarskie) confirmation that you are qualified to drive. It may sound odd, but this is the way it works in Poland. The doctor will ask you a plethora of naive questions about your health, such as if you have issues with your eyesight or any other medical issue but they will not actually examine you in any way. The cost of this exam is around 200 PLN.
If you are coming from a country which is part of the EU, EEA, or an EEA member under the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic you don't have to take this additional step since your driving licence will be recognized as valid in Poland. If you're coming from a non-member nation, you will need to pass both a theoretical and a practical test as well as an examination for medical reasons to get an official Polish driving licence.
Both of these tests can be conducted in English However, it can be a bit of a chance to fail or succeed based on the center. Contact the centre ahead of time to confirm availability before making an appointment. It is also worth mentioning that If you don't have sufficient level of Polish to be able to pass the exam, then you'll need to book an interpreter for the day.
Once you've got your medical certificate, you'll have to visit the district authorities and have an updated driver's profile (PKK Profile Kandydata na Kierowce). You will need to take a scan of your passport and proof of your residence in Poland and a recent photo in color.
Then, you visit an office specifically designed for you where they create your personal file and scan your documents to give them to you. From this point you can begin preparing for the test and enroll at a driving school. There are WORD facilities in all major cities and many smaller ones as well however, most schools require a fee to keep their classes.
2. Theory test
If you have an international driving license, it's valid in Poland when you also have an International Driving Permit ("IDP"). You'll need an IDP for any car driven in Poland for longer than six months. It is required to exchange the IDP for a Polish license if you don't have one. The procedure requires that you satisfy four requirements that include: you must be a Polish resident and you must pass medical tests and you must pass the state-issued driving test and complete driving lessons at a government-approved school.
To pass the state-issued driving test you will require a Driving Candidate Profile (PKK) and other documents. They include your ID and a health certificate, a valid driving instructor's certificate and the photocopy of your passport or residency permit. The driving test itself is comprised of two parts: the theoretical part and the practical part. The theoretical portion includes 32 multiple-choice tests and covers subjects as road signs traffic laws, emergency protocols and safe driving techniques. You must answer correctly at least 26 questions in order to pass.
The practical part of your driving test entails driving on a highway that is public under supervised supervision. During this time an instructor will be observing your ability to observe the rules of the road, particularly in challenging situations such as roads or city streets. The duration of the practice test is about 40 minutes.
Before you can take your state driving test, you have to apply for a PKK at the Province Road Traffic Centers. You'll need to present your identity document and proof that you have paid the fee that is required and a picture of yourself. If you don't speak Polish it is possible to be assisted by an experienced interpreter during the examination.
3. Practical test
If you're driving a car with a foreign license, you'll also have to pass the practical test. This is a much harder test than the theory and the rate of passing is low. Furthermore, you are able to take the test in a practical manner only if you're legally living in Poland. If you're not, the driving license will be valid for a long time and when you're stopped by police you may be fined for driving without a valid driver's licence.
In order to pass the test, you need to provide a completed application form - available on the internet and must be completed in Polish (Google Translate can help). Additionally, Read This method 'll need a medical certificate stating that you're fit to drive.
Bring your photo ID and proof of health insurance coverage, along with an up-to-date colour photo (size 3,5cm x 3,5cm). You will have to sign up with the department of civil affairs as a candidate for driving and this will require you to fill in an online profile of the driving candidate (RKK) and get a code number to use in the system.
It's a long and difficult process, especially when your English skills aren't adequate. It is best to find an English-speaking driving instructor and book your lessons in advance. In some regions you will also find driving schools that offer lessons in English.
The person who is applying for an Polish driver's license must provide a copy either of their residence permit or visa if they're not EU citizens. This is required to prove that you've been living 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 for the entire process is approximately 1500 PLN. You can pay cash but it doesn't guarantee faster processing of your documents. The entire process takes between two and four weeks. In some areas it can take longer. Contact your local office if are not sure of the deadlines.
4. Documents
It is essential for foreigners wanting to drive in Poland to obtain a Polish driving license in order to avoid problems with their insurance coverage for cars. However before they can obtain that, they must pass the theoretical exam, 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 procedure will be much simpler than for foreigners of other nationalities.
First they have to prove that they have lived in Poland for at least six months. This can be proved through a local address registration or residence permit, or visa. They must also submit a complete application form. You can find the form on the internet or at the local office. They should also provide an image of recent date that is 35 x 45 mm as well as proof of identification like a passport. They must also include a medical certificate that confirms they are qualified to drive.
After they have submitted the documents, the voivodship office will prepare their driving licence document to issue. This could take up to nine working days. The waiting time can extend to 1 month in situations that require a thorough exam.
A foreign national also needs to provide a copy of their medical certificate. This is crucial because if they do not have a valid health certificate, they will be required to sit for the theory exam and again, which could increase the time they wait for the exam by as much as 2 months.
Once the driving license is issued, a fee will need to be paid at the office. The cost is 100 PLN (for EU citizens) and 250 PLN (for non-EU citizens). This fee can be paid by bank transfer, debit card or credit card. The applicant will receive the driver's licence at their home address. If the driving license is not issued for any reason the City Mayor may appeal to the Local Government Appeals Board of Rzeszow.