How Much Does an EU Driving License Cost?
Everyone dreams about having a perfect driving licence, which will never expire. But the reality is quite different.
Getting an Polish driving license involves several steps. The most important ones are the medical exam, theory and practical classes. It is also important to meet the age requirements for the category of the 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) that you can drive. It may sound strange however this is how it operates in Poland. The doctor will ask you a lot of questions that aren't really relevant to your health, such as the possibility of problems with your eyesight, or any other medical issue but they will not actually examine you at all. The fee for this exam is around 200 PLN.
If you're from an area that is part of the EU or EEA or a country which is a member of the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic then you don't have to do this since your driving license will be recognized as valid in Poland. If you're coming from a country that is not a member you must pass both a theory and a practice test as well as an exam for medical certification to obtain an official Polish driving licence.
Both of these tests can be taken in English However, it can be an occasional hit or miss based on the center. Make sure to call ahead to check availability prior to scheduling an appointment. You'll also have to book an interpreter if the level of Polish isn't sufficient to pass the test.
Once you have your medical certificate, you have to visit the district authorities and have a driver's profile filled in (PKK Profil Kandydata na Kierowce). You will need a scanned photocopy of your passport and proof of your residency in Poland and a color photo.
Then, you enter an office that is specially designed to create your personal file and scan your documents to give them to you. You can then start preparation for your driving test and enroll in an instructor. There are WORD facilities in all major cities and a lot of smaller ones but most schools require a payment in order 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 provided you carry an International Driving Permit ('IDP') along with it. You'll need an IDP for each vehicle that you drive in Poland for longer than six months. It is necessary to exchange the IDP for the Polish license in the event that you do not have one. You must satisfy four requirements for the process to be completed You must be a Polish citizen, you must pass a medical examination, you must pass a driving test administered by the state and you must have completed driving lessons in a school approved by the government.
To take the state driving exam you must have a Driving Candidate Profile (PKK) and other documents. These include your ID as well as health certificate, an approved driving instructor's report, and a photocopy of your visa or residency permit. The driving test itself consists of two parts: the theoretical portion and the practical. The theoretical part comprises 32 multiple-choice questions that cover topics as road signs traffic laws, emergency procedures and safe driving methods. You must answer correctly at least 26 of the questions to pass.
The practical part of your driving test involves driving on a highway that is public under controlled supervision. During lkw führerschein kosten in polen will be observing your ability to follow the rules of the road, especially in difficult situations like roads or city streets. The duration of the practical test is approximately 40 minutes.
Before you can take the driving test for state it is required to apply for a PKK (Driving Candidate Profile) at the Province Road Traffic Centers (Wojewodzkie Osrodki Ruchudrogowego - WORD). You'll need your identification document as well as proof that you've paid the fee required, and a photo of yourself. If you don't know Polish or Polish, you will be assisted by an experienced interpreter during the test.
3. Practical test
If you're driving with a foreign license, you'll also have to pass the practical test. It's a more difficult test than the one for theory, and the rate of passing is lower. You are only able to take the test on the spot if you are legally resident of Poland. If you are not, your driving permit will be valid for a long time. You may also be fined if are stopped by police for driving without a valid driver's license.
In order to pass the test, you need to provide a completed application form - available online and needing to be filled out in Polish (Google Translate can help). You will also need an official medical certificate that proves you are qualified to drive.
You must bring a photo ID, the proof of your health care coverage, and a current photo in color (size 3,5 cm x 4,5 cm). You will be required to be registered as a driver with the Department of Civil Affairs. This will require you complete a Driving Profile of the Candidate (RKK) to receive a code to use within the system.
It's a long and difficult process, especially if your language skills aren't up to scratch. It is best to find an English-speaking driving instructor and book your lessons well in advance. There are also driving school that offer English lessons in certain regions.
The person who is applying for an Polish driver's license must submit the original copy of their residence permit or visa if they're not EU citizens. This is required to prove that you have resided in Poland for at least one 185-day period.
The office will require proof of payment for the theory and practical test. The total cost should be around 1500 PLN. You can pay cash but it doesn't guarantee quicker processing of your documents. lkw führerschein kosten in polen takes around two to four weeks. In some locations it could take longer. If you're not sure about the deadlines, be sure to inquire with your local office.
4. Documents
For foreigners who have emigrated to Poland and wish to drive, obtaining the Polish driver's license is vital for avoiding problems with car insurance. However, before they can do that, they must pass the exam in theory and this costs them. The good part is that if they are citizens of countries that have signed the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic This process will be much easier than for other foreigners.
First, they must demonstrate that they have lived in Poland for at least six months. This can be proved through the registration of their local address, residence permit or visa. The applicant should also submit the entire application form. The form can be found on the internet or at an office in your area. A recent 35 x 45 millimeter photo and evidence of identity like valid passports, should be submitted. In addition, they should include an official certificate from the health care system that confirms that they do not have any health contraindications to driving.
Once they have submitted these documents The voivodship office will prepare the driving licence to issue. It can take up to nine working days. Waiting times can extend to 1 month in situations that require a thorough examination.
A foreign national also needs to submit a copy their medical certificate. This is important since if they don't have a valid health certificate, they will be required to sit for the exam and again, which could increase their waiting time by as much as 2 months.
Once your driving license is prepared, you will be required to pay a fee at the office. The fee is 100 PLN for EU citizens and 250 PLN for non-EU citizens. This fee is payable via bank transfer, debit card, or credit card. The applicant will receive their driver's license at their residence address. If for any reason the driving licence is not issued, an appeal could be made to the Local Government Appeals Board in Rzeszow through the City Mayor.