How Much Does an EU Driving License Cost?
Everyone hopes to have an driving license that will never expire. But the reality is quite different.
To get a Polish driving license is many steps. The most important are medical examinations as well as theory and practical instruction. You must also meet the age requirements of the category in which you're applying for a driving licence.
1. Medical exam
The first thing to be completed to obtain your driving licence is getting an approval from a doctor (orzeczenie lekarskie) 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 problems with your eyesight, or any other medical issue and will never physically examine you in any way. The cost for this exam is about 200 PLN.
If you're coming from a nation that is part of the EU, EEA, or an EEA member under the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic there is no need to take this extra step since your driving licence will be recognized as valid in Poland. If you're from a country that is not a member you must pass both a theory and a practice test as well as a medical exam to obtain an official Polish driving license.
Both of these exams can be conducted in English However, it can be a bit of a chance to fail or succeed based on the centre. It's a good idea to call ahead and check availability before booking your appointment. It's also worth noting that If you don't have sufficient level of Polish to pass the test, you'll need to book an interpreter for the day.
Once you have your medical certification, you will need to visit the district authority to fill out a driver profile (PKK – Profil Kandydata na Kierowce). You'll need a scanned photocopy of your passport and proof of your residency in Poland as well as a color photo.
Then, you visit an office specifically designed for you where they create your personal file scan your documents and give them to you. From there you can begin preparing for the test and enroll in a driving school. There are WORD facilities in all major cities, and most smaller ones too however, most schools require a fee to keep their courses.
2. Theory test
If you hold a foreign driving license, it's valid in Poland if you also carry an International Driving Permit ("IDP"). You'll need an IDP for any car driven in Poland for longer than six months. It is necessary to exchange your IDP for an official Polish license in the event that you do not have one. You must meet four requirements to be able to complete the process: you must be a Polish citizen, you must have passed a medical exam, you must pass a state driving exam and you must have completed driving lessons at a school that is that is approved by the government.
You will need to submit the Driving Candidate Profile, as well as other documents in order to take the state driving test. Those include your ID, health certificate, an approved driving instructor's report and an image of your visa or residency permit. The driving test itself consists of two parts: the theory part and the practical. The theory portion comprises 32 multiple-choice questions covering topics like road signs, traffic rules emergency protocols, safe driving practices. You must correctly answer at least 26 questions in order to pass.
The practical portion of your driving test entails driving on a public road under supervised supervision. During the time, an instructor will evaluate your ability to adhere to the rules of driving, especially in difficult situations such as roads or city streets. The duration of the practice test is approximately 40 minutes.
Before you can pass your state driving test, you must apply for a PKK at the Province Road Traffic Centers. For this purpose, you will need: your identity document as well as proof of paying the fee required and a photograph of you. If you don't speak Polish, a professional translator can accompany you during the examination.
3. Practical test
You'll have to pass the practical test if you're driving on a foreign license. It's a tougher test than the one for theory and the rate of passing is quite low. It is only possible to take the test on the spot if you are legally living in Poland. If you're not, your driving licence is indefinite. You may also be fined if are stopped by police for driving without a valid driver's license.
To pass the test, you need to fill out an application form that is available online and to be filled out in Polish (Google Translate can help). Additionally, you'll need a medical certificate stating that you're fit to drive.
You have to bring an ID photo, proof of your health care coverage and one current photograph in colour (size 3,5 cm x 4,5 cm). You will need to register with the department of civil affairs as a driver candidate which will require you to complete a driving profile of the candidate (RKK) and then receive an ID number that you can use in the system.
It can be a long and complicated process, especially if your language skills aren't up to scratch. It's recommended to hire an English-speaking instructor, and to book your lessons in advance. In some regions you will also find driving schools that provide lessons in English.
The person who is applying for a Polish driver's license must submit a copy either of their residence permit or visa if they are not EU citizens. This is necessary to prove that you've been in Poland for at least 185 days.
The office will also require a proof of payment for the practical and theory tests. The total cost of the process is approximately 1500 PLN. Cash payments are accepted but it won't guarantee a quicker processing of your documents. The entire process can take between two and four weeks. In some areas it can take longer. Contact your local office if you are unsure of the deadlines.
4. Documents
It is important for foreigners who wish to drive in Poland to get the Polish driving license to avoid issues with their car insurance. Before they can obtain this, they need to pass the test in theory, which will cost them. This process will be easier for foreigners who are citizens of countries who have signed the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic of 1968.
The first thing they need to do is verify that they've lived in Poland for a minimum of six months. This must be proven through an address registration for local addresses, residence permit or visa. lkw führerschein in polen must also submit a complete application form. The form can be found on the internet or at an office in your area. A recent 35 x45 millimeter photo and proof of identity, such as an authentic passport, must be included. They must also include an official health certificate to prove they are qualified to drive.
The voivodship office will prepare the driving licence documents for issuance. This can take up to 9 working days. The waiting time can be as long as 1 month in cases which require a thorough examination.
In addition to the document that demonstrates their right to reside in Poland, a foreign citizen will need to submit a copy of their medical certificate. It is crucial to have a valid medical certification as without it, the person who is not able to obtain it will have to take a new theory test, which can extend the waiting time by two months.
Once the driving licence is issued the fee has to be paid at the office. The fee 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 be issued the driver's license at their residence address. If the driving license is not issued for any reason, the City Mayor can appeal to the Local Government Appeals Board of Rzeszow.