How Much Does an EU Driving License Cost?
Everyone wants a driving license that will never expire. listen to this podcast is quite different.
The process of getting an Polish driving license is a lot of procedures. The most crucial are the medical exam and theory as well as practical classes. You must also meet the age requirements of the category in which you're applying for a driving license.
1. Medical exam
The first thing that needs to be completed to obtain your driving licence is getting an approval from a doctor (orzeczenie lekarskie) to drive. It might sound odd 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 like if you are having problems with your vision, or other medical issues. They won't examine you physically. The cost of this test is about 200 PLN.
If you're one of the countries that is a member of the EU or EEA or one that is a member of the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic then you don't need to complete this process because your driving licence is valid in Poland. If you are coming from a non-member nation you must pass both a theory and a practice test, and also an exam for medical certification to obtain an official Polish driving licence.
It is possible to take both of these tests in English. However, it depends on the center. It is a good idea to call ahead and confirm availability prior to making an appointment. You'll also need to arrange for an interpreter if the level of Polish isn't sufficient to pass the test.
After you've received your medical certificate, you'll must visit the district authority and get a driver's profile filled in (PKK Profil Kandydata na Kierowce). You'll need a scan photocopy of your passport and evidence of your residence in Poland as well as an image in color.
Then you go into an office specifically designed for you where they make your personal file scan your documents and give them to you. You can then begin preparation for your driving test and enroll in driving schools. WORD is available in most major cities, and even in smaller ones. However certain schools require payment for 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 carry an International Driving Permit ('IDP') along with it. You must have an IDP for every vehicle that you drive in Poland for more than six months. It is mandatory to exchange the IDP in exchange for the Polish license if you don't have one. The process requires you to meet four criteria to be a Polish resident and you must have passed medical exams and pass the state-issued driving test, and you must take driving lessons in an approved school by the government.
To pass the state driving exam you will require a Driving Candidate Profile (PKK) and other documents. They include your ID, a health certificate, a valid driving instructor's certificate and an image of your visa or residency permit. The driving test itself is comprised of two parts: the theoretical portion and the practical. The theoretical part includes thirty-two multiple-choice questions and covers such subjects as road signs and traffic laws, emergency protocol and safe driving methods. You must correctly answer at least 26 of the questions to pass.
The practical part of the driving test consists of driving a car on a road that is public and under the supervision of a trained instructor. During the time, an instructor will evaluate your ability to follow the rules of driving on the road, especially in difficult situations like city streets or highways. The duration of the practical test is around 40 minutes.
Before you can sit for the state driving exam it is required to apply for an PKK (Driving Candidate Profile) at the Province Road Traffic Centers (Wojewodzkie Osrodki Ruchudrogowego - WORD). You will need your identity document as well as proof that you've paid the fee required, and a photo of yourself. If you don't speak Polish or Polish, you will be accompanied by a professional interpreter during the test.
3. Practical test
If you're driving that has a foreign license, you'll also need to pass the practical test. This test is more difficult than the one for theory, and the passing rate is low. Additionally, you can take the test on the spot only if you're legally residing in Poland. If you're not, the 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 pass the practical test, you'll need to submit a completed application form that is available on the internet and must be completed in Polish (Google Translate can help). You also need to have an official medical certificate that proves you're fit to drive.
Bring a photo ID and evidence of health insurance coverage, as well as an up-to-date colour photo (size 3,5cm x 3,5cm). You will have to register with the department of civil affairs as a candidate for driving which will require you to fill out a driving profile of the candidate (RKK) and get an ID number that you can use in the system.
The process can be difficult and time-consuming, particularly if you're not familiar with Polish language. It's recommended to find an English-speaking instructor and schedule your lessons in advance. In certain regions, you will also find driving schools that provide lessons in English.
Anyone who is seeking an Polish driving license is required 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 the period of 185 days.
The office will require proof of payment for the theory and practical test. The total cost should be about 1,500 PLN. Cash payments are accepted but it won't guarantee a quicker processing of your documents. The entire process takes two to four weeks. In some areas it can be longer. Consult your local office if you are not sure of the deadlines.
4. Documents
For foreigners who have emigrated to Poland and would like to drive, getting an Polish driver's license is vital to avoid problems with car insurance. However, before they can do that they must pass the exam in theory, 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 process will be much easier than for foreigners of other nationalities.
The first thing they must do is ensure that they have been in Poland for 6 months. This must be documented through either a local address registration or a residence permit or the issuance of a visa. You must submit a completed application form. The form can be found on the internet or at a local office. A recent 35 x45 millimeter photo and proof of identity like a valid passport, should be included. Finally, they must include an official certificate from the health system that states that they do not have any health contraindications to driving.
The voivodship office then prepare the driving licence documents to issue. It usually takes between 5 and 9 working days. The waiting time can be as long as 1 month in situations which require a thorough examination.
In addition to the document that demonstrates the right to reside in Poland, a foreign citizen must provide a copy or a copy of their medical certificate. This is crucial because if they do not have an official health certificate, they'll be required to sit for the theory exam in a second time, which can extend the time they wait for the exam by up to two months.
After the driving license has been issued it will be required to be paid at the office. This fee is 100 PLN to EU citizens and 250 PLN for those who are not EU citizens. The fee can be paid via bank transfer or credit card, debit card or. The applicant will be issued the driver's licence at their home address. If, for any reason, the driver's license isn't issued, an appeal may be filed to the Local Government Appeals Board in Rzeszow via the City Mayor.