How Much Does an EU Driving License Cost?
Everyone wants to have a perfect driving licence, that will never expire. However, the reality is quite different.
The process of getting a Polish driver's license is a thorny process. The most important are: medical exam as well as theory and practical classes. You must also meet the requirements for age of the category in which you're applying for a driver's license.
1. Medical examination
To get your driving license, you must first get a doctor's (orzeczenie Lkarskie) confirmation that you're qualified to drive. It might sound odd, but this is how it operates in Poland. The doctor will ask you a plethora of questions that aren't really relevant to your health, like the possibility of problems with your eyesight or any other medical issues, never actually physically examining you in any way. The cost for this exam is about 200 PLN.
If you're coming from a country which is part of the EU, EEA, or a signatory to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic there is no need to take this extra step as your driving license will be accepted as valid in Poland. However, if you're coming from a nation that doesn't belong to either of these groups you'll have to pass a medical test as well as a theoretical and practical driving exam in order to obtain a Polish license.
Both of these tests can be conducted in English, however it is somewhat of a hit or miss depending on the center. Make sure to call ahead to check availability before making an appointment. It is also worth mentioning that If you don't have sufficient level of Polish to pass the test, you'll have to book an interpreter for the entire day.
Once you have your medical certification, you must visit the district authority to complete the driver profile (PKK Profile Kandydata na Kierowce). You will need a scanned copy of your passport and evidence of your residence in Poland and a colour photo.
Then, you enter a special office where they make your personal file and scan your documents to give them to you. From there you can begin preparing for the tests and enroll at a driving academy. You will find WORD facilities in all major cities and many smaller ones as well however, most schools require a deposit to be able to run their courses.
2. Theory test
If you hold a driving license issued in another country, it is valid in Poland in the event that you have an International Driving Permit ('IDP') in addition to it. If you plan to drive in a vehicle in Poland for a period longer than six months, you will need an IDP. It is mandatory to exchange the IDP for an official Polish license if you don't have one. The process requires you to satisfy four requirements: you must be a Polish resident and you must have passed medical tests and pass the state-issued driving test, and you must complete driving lessons at a government-approved school.
You'll need to fill out the Driving Candidate Profile, as well as other documents in order to take the state-issued driving test. These include your ID and health certificate, a letter from an approved driving instructor, and a copy of your visa or residence permit. The driving test itself consists of two parts: the theoretical portion and the practical. The theory portion comprises 32 multiple-choice tests that cover subjects like road signs, traffic rules emergency protocols, safe driving techniques. To pass, you must correctly answer 26 questions.
The practical portion of the driving test involves driving a vehicle on a road that is public and under controlled supervision. During this period, a driver will evaluate your ability to observe the rules of driving on the road particularly in difficult conditions like city streets or highways. The duration of the practice test is about 40 minutes.
Before you can take the driving test for state, it is necessary to apply for an PKK (Driving Candidate Profile) at the Province Road Traffic Centers (Wojewodzkie Osrodki Ruchu Drogowego - 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 know Polish A professional translator can accompany you on the exam.
3. Practical test
You'll need to pass the practical test if you're driving with a foreign license. It's a tougher test than the one for theory and the rate of passing is very low. Furthermore, you are able to take the test in a practical manner only if you're legally residing in Poland. If not, your driving licence is indefinite. führerschein machen in polen may also be fined if are stopped by the police for driving without a valid driving license.
To take the test, you need to fill out an application form in Polish. Google Translate can assist. You'll also require an official medical certificate that proves you are qualified to drive.
Bring your photo ID and proof of health insurance coverage along with an up-to-date colour photo (size 3,5cm x 4,5cm). You must join the department of civil affairs as a driving candidate and this will require you to fill out an application for a driving profile for the candidate (RKK) and receive an ID number to use in the system.
It can be a long and difficult process, especially in the event that your language skills aren't adequate. It is advisable to find an English-speaking instructor and to make reservations for your lessons well in advance. You can also find driving school that offer English lessons in some regions.
The person who applies for a Polish driver's license must provide a copy either of their residence permit or visa if not EU citizens. This is required to prove that you've been in Poland for 185 days or more.
The office will also require a proof of payment for theory and practical tests. The total cost should be about 1,500 PLN. Cash payments are accepted but it won't guarantee a faster processing of your documents. The entire process can take between two and four weeks. In some locations, it can take even longer. Contact the local office if are unsure of the deadlines.
4. Documents
It is important for foreigners who wish to drive in Poland to obtain a Polish driving license in order to avoid issues with their insurance coverage for cars. Before they can obtain this, they have to pass the test in theory and pay. The good news 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 non-natives.
First, they must be able to prove that they have lived in Poland for at least six months. This should be verified by either local address registration, a residence permit, or the issuance of a visa. They should submit a completed application form. The form can be found online or at an office in your area. A recent 35 x45 millimeter photograph and evidence of identity like valid passports, should be included. Finally, they must include a certificate from the health system that affirms that they don't have any health issues that prevent them from driving.
The voivodship office will then 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 cases which require a thorough examination.
A foreign national also needs to provide a copy of his or her medical certificate. It is important to have a valid medical certification because without it, the foreigner will have to take a new theory test, which can extend the waiting time by up to two months.
Once the driving license has been prepared 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). motorrad führerschein polen is payable via bank transfer or credit or debit card. The driver's licence will be mailed to the address of the applicant's home. If for any reason, the driving license is not issued, an appeal can be filed to the Local Government Appeals Board in Rzeszow via the City Mayor.