How Much Does an EU Driving License Cost?
Everyone dreams about having an ideal driving license, which will never expire. The reality is quite different.
To get an Polish driving license requires many steps. The most crucial are the medical exam as well as theory and practical classes. 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 a driving license, you first need to get the doctor's (orzeczenie Lkarskie) confirmation that you are competent to drive. It may sound odd however this is how it is done in Poland. The doctor will ask a series of silly questions about your health, such as the case if you're having issues with your vision or any other medical problems. They won't examine you physically. The cost of this exam is approximately 200 PLN.
If you're a country which is part of the EU or EEA or a country which is a member of the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic then you do not need to do this, as your driving licence will be recognised as valid in Poland. If you're coming from a non-member country, you will need to pass both a practical and theoretical test, and also an examination for medical reasons to get the Polish driving licence.
It is possible to take both of these exams in English. However it is contingent on the center. Make sure to call ahead to check availability before making an appointment. It's also worth noting that If you don't have sufficient amount of Polish to be able to pass the test, you'll need to hire an interpreter for the duration of the exam.
After you've received your medical certificate, you'll must visit the district authorities and have a driver's profile filled in (PKK Profile Kandydata na Kierowce). You will need a scanned copy of your passport as well as proof of your residency in Poland and a colour photo.
You then go to an office that is specialized, where they create your personal file and scan your documents. They then hand them to you. You can then begin preparation for your driving test and enroll in an instructor. You can find WORD facilities in all major towns and most smaller ones too, although schools often require a fee to be able to run their courses.
2. Theory test
If you have an international driving permit valid in Poland provided you have an International Driving Permit ("IDP"). If you intend to drive in a vehicle in Poland for more than six months, you will require an IDP. It is required to exchange the IDP for an official Polish licence if you don't have one. You must meet four conditions to complete the process You must be a Polish citizen You must also have passed a medical test and pass a driving test administered by the state and you must have completed driving lessons at a school that is approved by the government.
You will need to submit an Driving Candidate Profile, as well as other documents to pass the state driving test. These include your ID as well as your health certificate, a letter from a driving instructor who is approved and a copy your residence permit or visa. The driving test is split into two parts: the theoretical part and the practical. The theory portion comprises 32 multiple-choice tests that cover subjects such as traffic signs, road signs emergency protocols, safe driving practices. To pass you must be able to answer 26 questions.
The practical portion of the driving test consists of driving a car on a road that is public and under supervised supervision. During this time, an instructor will be watching your ability to adhere to the rules of the road, particularly in difficult situations such as roads or city streets. The duration of the practice test is about 40 minutes.
Before you can sit for the driving test for state it is required to apply for an PKK (Driving Candidate Profile) at the Province Road Traffic Centers (Wojewodzkie Osrodki Ruchu Drogowego - 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 know Polish, you can be accompanied by a professional interpreter during the examination.
3. Practical test
If you're driving that has a foreign license, you'll also have to pass a practical test. This is a more difficult test than the one for theory and the success rate is very low. Moreover, you can take the practical test only if you're legally resident in Poland. If you're not, the driving licence will remain indefinitely and if you're stopped by the police, you could be fined for driving without a valid driver's licence.
To pass the practical test you have to fill out an application form - available on the internet and must be filled out in Polish (Google Translate can help). Also, you will require an official medical certificate that proves you are fit to drive.
You will need to bring a photo ID, the proof of your health care coverage, and a recent photo in colour (size 3,5 cm x 4,5 cm). You must sign up as a driver candidate with the Department of Civil Affairs. This will require that you fill out a Driving Profile of the Candidate (RKK) in order to receive a code to use within the system.
The process is often complicated and time-consuming, particularly when you're not a native speaker of the Polish language. It's best to hire an English-speaking driving instructor and schedule your lessons in advance. In some regions you will also find driving schools that provide lessons in English.
Anyone who is seeking an Polish driving license is obliged to submit a copy of the residence permit or visa for non-EU citizens. This is necessary to prove that you've been living in Poland for more than 185 days.
The office will require proof of payment for the theory test and the practical test. The total cost for the entire process should be around 1,500 PLN. You can pay in cash however it doesn't guarantee faster processing of your documents. The entire process can take between two and four weeks. In some places it can take longer. If you're unsure about the deadlines, be sure to contact your local office.
4. Documents
It is important for foreigners who wish to drive in Poland to get an Polish driving license in order to avoid issues with their insurance coverage for cars. Before they can get this, they must first pass the test in theory, which will cost them. The good news is that if they are citizens of countries that have signed the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic the process will be much easier than for foreigners of other nationalities.
First they must be able to prove that they have lived in Poland for at minimum six months. This must be proven by the registration of their local address or residence permit, or visa. The applicant must also fill out the application form in its entirety. The form can be found online or in a local office. They must also submit an image of recent date that is 35 x 45 millimeters and proof of identification like a passport. They should also provide a medical certificate to prove they are qualified to drive.
After they have submitted these documents, the voivodship office will prepare their driving licence document for issue. It usually takes between 5 and 9 working days. If motorradführerschein in polen requires extensive testing, the waiting time can be as long as a month.
A foreign national is also required to submit a copy of the medical certificate of their doctor. It is essential to possess a valid medical certificate as without it, the foreigner may need to retake the theory test, which could extend the time they wait by two months.
Once your driving licence has been prepared after the driving licence is issued, you are required to pay an amount 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 or credit or debit card. The driver's license will be sent to the applicant's home address. 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.