How Much Does an EU Driving License Cost?
Everyone dreams about having an ideal driving license, which will never expire. However, the reality is quite different.
Getting the Polish driving license involves a lot of procedures. The most crucial are the medical exam, theory and practical classes. You must also meet the age requirements of the category in which you're applying for a driver's license.
1. Medical examination
The first thing to be done to get your driving license is to get an approval from a doctor (orzeczenie lekarskie) that you can drive. It may sound strange, but this is how it is done in Poland. The doctor will ask a series of silly questions about your health and wellbeing, for instance the case if you're having issues with your vision, or other medical issue. They won't even examine you physically. The cost for this test is about 200 PLN.
If you're from a nation that is part of the EU, EEA, or a member of 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic you don't need to take this additional step since your driving licence will be recognized as valid in Poland. However, if you're coming from a country which doesn't belong to either of these groups you'll have to pass a medical examination as well as a theoretical and practical driving test to obtain a Polish licence.
It is possible to take both of these exams in English. However it is contingent on the center. It is recommended to call ahead and verify availability prior to booking your appointment. It is also worth mentioning that if you don't have a sufficient level of Polish to be able to pass the test, you'll need to book an interpreter for the day.
Once you've got your medical certificate, you have to visit the district authority to get a driver's profile filled in (PKK Profil Kandydata na Kierowce). You'll need a scan copy of your passport as well as evidence of your residence in Poland as well as a colour photo.
You then visit a special office in which they create your personal file and scan your documents. They then give them to your. Then you can begin getting ready for your driving test and enroll in driving schools. You will find WORD facilities in all major towns and most smaller ones too however, most schools require a deposit to hold their courses.
2. Theory test
If you hold an international driving license that is valid in Poland if you also carry an International Driving Permit ("IDP"). If you plan to operate in a vehicle in Poland for a longer period than six months, you will require an IDP. It is required to exchange your IDP for an official Polish licence in the event that you do not have one. You must meet four conditions for the process to be completed You must be a Polish citizen, you must have passed a medical exam and pass a driving test administered by the state and you must have completed driving lessons at a driving school that has been that is approved by the government.
You'll need to submit a Driving Candidate Profile, as well as other documents in order to take the state-issued driving test. These include your ID and medical certificate, an approved driving instructor's report and a photocopy of your visa or residency permit. The driving test itself is comprised of two parts: the theory part and the practical part. The theoretical portion includes 32 multiple-choice questions and covers such topics as road signs and traffic laws, emergency protocol and safe driving practices. You must answer correctly at least 26 of the questions to pass.
The practical part of your driving test is driving on a public road under the supervision of a trained instructor. During this period, an instructor will be observing your ability to observe the rules of the road, particularly in challenging situations such as roads or city streets. The duration of the practical test is about 40 minutes.
Before you can sit for the driving test for state you must apply for a PKK (Driving Candidate Profile) at the Province Road Traffic Centers (Wojewodzkie Osrodki Ruchudrogowego - WORD). You will need your identity document and proof that you have paid the fee required as well as a photograph of yourself. If you don't know Polish, you can be assisted by an experienced interpreter during the exam.
3. Practical test
If you're driving on a foreign licence you'll also need to pass the practical test. This is a much harder test than the theory and the pass rate is very low. It is only possible to take the test on the spot in the event that you are legally resident of Poland. If not, führerschein polen kosten driving permit is indefinite. You could be fined if are stopped by police for driving without a valid driver's license.
To pass the practical test you have to submit a completed application form, which is online and to be completed in Polish (Google Translate can help). You'll also require an official medical certificate proving that you are fit to drive.
Bring an ID photo and proof of health insurance coverage, and an up-to-date colour photo (size 3,5cm x 3,5cm). You will need to register with the department of civil affairs as a candidate for driving and this will require you to fill out an application for a driving profile for the candidate (RKK) and then receive an identification number to enter into the system.
It's a lengthy and complicated process, especially in the event that your language skills aren't up to par. It is advisable to find an English-speaking instructor and make reservations for your lessons well in advance. In some regions you will also find driving schools that offer lessons in English.
The person applying for the Polish driver's license has to submit a copy either of their residence permit or visa if they're not EU citizens. This is necessary to show that you've lived in Poland for 185 days or more.
The office will also require a evidence of payment for the theory and practical tests. The total cost of the process should be about 1,500 PLN. You can pay in cash 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 even longer. Consult your local office if you are not sure of the deadlines.
4. Documents
It is essential for foreigners who wish to drive in Poland to obtain the Polish driving license in order to be able to avoid problems with their car insurance. Before they can get this, they must first pass the test in theory and pay. The good part is that if they're citizens of countries who have signed the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, this process will be much easier than for non-natives.
The first thing they have to do is to ensure that they have been in Poland for 6 months. This should be verified with either a local address registration or a residence permit or the issuance of a 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 photograph and proof of identity like valid passports, should be submitted. They must also include an official health certificate that confirms they are fit to drive.
The voivodship office will then prepare the driving licence documents to issue. It can take up to nine working days. Waiting times could be as long as one month in cases that require a thorough examination.
In addition to the document that proves their right to live in Poland, a person who is a foreign national will need to provide a copy or a copy of their medical certificate. It is important to have a valid medical certificate because without it, the person who is not able to obtain it will need to retake the theory test, which could increase the waiting time by two months.
After the driving license has been issued 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). This fee can be paid via bank transfer, debit card or credit card. The applicant will be issued the driver's licence at their home address. If, for any reason, the driving license is not issued, an appeal may be made to the Local Government Appeals Board in Rzeszow through the City Mayor.