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Getting a driver’s license in Poland for expats can feel overwhelming—but we’ve broken it all down for you.
If you’re planning to stay in Poland longer than six months and want to legally drive, your foreign license likely won’t cut it forever. Thanks to Poland’s strict implementation of EU laws, most non-EU foreigners must exchange their license—or start from scratch—if they want to stay behind the wheel.
But don’t worry. Whether you’re from the U.S., South Africa, India, Canada, or anywhere in between, this guide breaks down exactly what you need to do. We’ve updated this article to match all the latest rules and hidden requirements from 2025—including regional quirks, exam procedures, and how long it actually takes to get that shiny Polish license in hand.
💡 TL;DR: If you’re already living in Poland and your stay exceeds 185 days, this guide is for you.
If it feels overwhelming, we can even take care of the whole thing for you.
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If you’ve just arrived in Poland and you’re wondering whether you can legally drive, the answer depends entirely on what kind of license you hold and how long you plan to stay. In 2025, Poland’s rules for foreigners driving on international licenses are stricter and more closely enforced than ever.
EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens: If your driving license was issued by a country within the EU, the EEA, or Switzerland, you’re in luck. Your license is fully valid in Poland until its printed expiration date. There’s no legal requirement to exchange it—but you can choose to if you prefer a Polish card or need to renew soon.
Non-EU Citizens: If your license was issued outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland, things are more complex. Poland is a signatory of the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Conventions on Road Traffic. If your country is also a signatory, you can legally drive in Poland for up to 6 months from the date you officially register your stay. During this period, you must carry both your original driving license and an International Driving Permit (IDP).
If your country is not a signatory to either convention, you cannot legally drive in Poland—even with an IDP. In that case, you’ll need to start the license exchange or testing process immediately.
Important: Your foreign license alone is never enough. If you’re planning to stay in Poland longer than 6 months—or you’re already a temporary or permanent resident—you’re required by law to exchange your license for a Polish one to continue driving legally. Police and border authorities are actively checking for this.
If you’re unsure about your country’s status or what steps to take, book a personal consultation and we’ll walk you through it based on your exact situation.
If you’re staying in Poland long-term and want to continue driving, exchanging your foreign license is legally required in most cases. The exchange process varies based on your country of origin, the type of license you hold, and whether Poland recognizes it under EU rules, international conventions, or bilateral agreements.
Licenses from EU/EEA countries or Switzerland can be exchanged with no testing required. Licenses from countries that signed the 1968 Vienna Convention or 1949 Geneva Convention are usually recognized as well—meaning you can exchange them without taking the Polish driving test.
However, if your license is from a country outside these frameworks (like the U.S., Canada, or China), you’ll need to pass a theory exam in Poland. The good news is, even in these cases, the process is still shorter than applying for a full Polish license from scratch.
Before starting, you must have lived in Poland for at least 185 days within a 12-month period—that’s the minimum “residency” requirement under Polish law for license exchange. If you haven’t been here that long, you’ll need to wait or prove your intended stay (for example, through a visa or TRC).
Let’s break down the exact process into four manageable steps. 👇
This is where most people get stuck—not because it’s hard, but because the rules are never clearly explained. Below is the full, legally up-to-date checklist for 2025. Don’t skip anything; your application will be rejected if a single item is missing or incorrect.
If you want to avoid missing anything—or if your case involves a license from outside the EU or you don’t have zameldowanie—we can handle the paperwork for you.
Once your documents are ready, it’s time to go to your local Urząd Miasta (City Hall) or Starostwo Powiatowe (District Office), depending on where you live. In larger cities like Warsaw, Kraków, or Gdańsk, it’ll be your district’s city hall branch. In smaller towns, the county office handles all license-related matters.
Most offices now require an appointment. In Warsaw, Gdańsk, Wrocław, and several other cities, you can book this online. In smaller towns, you may need to call or simply walk in and wait in line. Always check your local office’s procedures in advance.
Here’s what will happen:
During this process, your license may be verified with your home country. If required, the city hall will contact your consulate or foreign road authority. For some countries (e.g. Ukraine, Belarus), you may be asked to provide a confirmation payment to your embassy or submit a verification form.
Important: Your application won’t move forward until your license is confirmed as genuine. This can take 2 weeks to 2 months depending on your home country’s response time.
Worried about delays, missing documents, or language barriers? You can let our team handle the submission process for you—we’ll guide you through every step or go on your behalf if needed.
This step only applies to certain foreigners—specifically, those whose licenses are not recognized under EU law, the 1949 Geneva Convention, the 1968 Vienna Convention, or a bilateral treaty with Poland. If you’re from the U.S., Canada, India, China, or many African and Southeast Asian countries, this likely means you.
Once your city hall clerk creates your PKK number (Profil Kandydata na Kierowcę), you can schedule your test at any WORD testing center in Poland. You don’t have to test in your city of residence. Just choose a center that suits you—many expats travel to Warsaw or Kraków for better support.
Most large cities—Warsaw, Kraków, Gdańsk, Wrocław—offer the test in English. Smaller towns may not. Call ahead or check the WORD website. If no English version is available, you can use a certified interpreter—but only for pre-exam instructions. They cannot translate questions during the test itself.
Go to the website of your chosen WORD (Wojewódzki Ośrodek Ruchu Drogowego) testing center, call them, or visit in person. You’ll need:
You can retake the test as many times as needed. There’s no limit—just pay the 30 PLN each time. Once you pass, your result is valid for 6 months. That gives you plenty of time to move to the final step.
Want help scheduling your exam, getting access to practice questions in English, or choosing the easiest WORD center? We’ve got you covered—book support here.
After passing your theory exam, the WORD testing center automatically uploads your result to the national system. There’s nothing extra you need to submit—but it’s your responsibility to follow up with your city hall to complete the process.
When you return to the office, make sure you bring:
🚨 Heads up: Your Polish license cannot be printed until two things happen:
For certain countries (e.g. Ukraine, Belarus), this verification requires you to pay a consular fee and fill out an additional form. If your country is slow to respond—or doesn’t respond at all—the entire process can be delayed. In rare cases, it may be paused indefinitely.
Once everything checks out, the city hall sends your info to the Polish Security Printing Works (PWPW) in Warsaw. Your new Polish license card is usually printed and shipped back within 7–14 days. You’ll receive a notification when it’s ready for pickup.
Important: When collecting your Polish license, you must surrender your foreign license. You cannot keep both. Poland is obligated under EU rules to return or invalidate your original license to prevent dual issuance.
Want someone to monitor the process, check on delays, and pick up your card on your behalf with power of attorney? We can handle that for you.
While the legal process for exchanging a driving license is standardized across Poland, your experience will vary dramatically depending on the city or voivodeship you’re dealing with. Some offices are fast and foreigner-friendly; others are slow, understaffed, or barely digital.
Warsaw has multiple district-level offices, and the system is relatively efficient. You can book appointments online via warszawa19115.pl. Most staff are used to dealing with expats, and signage is available in English, Ukrainian, and Russian. If you live in the capital, be sure to go to the office for your registered district. Processing time: 2–4 weeks.
Kraków’s license office handles a high volume of international applicants, especially students and freelancers. Appointment booking is available online, but wait times can still be long. Some expats report delays in license verification for non-EU countries. Staff speak some English, but bring a Polish speaker just in case. Processing time: 3–6 weeks.
Gdańsk’s office has a dedicated information page for foreigners, including consular payment steps for Ukrainian and Belarusian licenses. Online booking is available and turnaround times are reasonable. Gdynia and Sopot follow similar procedures, but may have more limited English support. Processing time: 2–5 weeks.
Wrocław’s city office is organized and online booking is available via their dedicated scheduling portal. Staff are generally helpful, and the WORD center offers English theory tests regularly. This is one of the smoother cities to go through the process. Processing time: 2–4 weeks.
Offices in smaller towns are less crowded, but the staff may be less familiar with foreign license procedures. If your license needs consular verification, expect longer delays. Language support may be nonexistent, and many offices still use paper forms or lack online scheduling. Bring all documents printed, translated, and prepare to wait. Processing time: 4–8+ weeks.
⚠️ Regardless of location, if your license requires consular verification (Ukraine, Belarus, India, etc.), delays are common. Some applicants wait 2–3 months. Always ask how long the verification is expected to take and check if the office needs a consular fee payment receipt.
Need someone to handle the application, translation, verification delays, and pick-up for you—no matter where you are? Let us take care of it from start to finish.
Once your license is issued, remember that vehicle registration and inspection timelines can also vary by city. If you’re planning to buy or import a car in Poland, we recommend reviewing our detailed guide on
how to buy or import a car as a foreigner to avoid costly mistakes.
If you’re required to pass a theory test before receiving a Polish license, you’ll be dealing with Poland’s national testing system. It’s run through WORD testing centers (Wojewódzki Ośrodek Ruchu Drogowego) and requires you to have a valid PKK number—a digital candidate profile created by your local city office during the license exchange process.
The Profil Kandydata na Kierowcę (PKK) is a unique digital ID that links your personal details, license category, and exam history across all national systems. You cannot register for a theory exam or have your results processed without one.
Your city office generates it when you submit your documents and confirms you need to take the theory test. In some cases, they’ll email or print it for you immediately. You then use it to register for your exam at any WORD center in Poland.
Most large WORD centers offer the test in English and occasionally German or Russian. Smaller centers may not. Always check before registering.
If your chosen center doesn’t offer the exam in your language, you can bring a certified translator—but they can only interpret instructions, not the test itself. This makes English-language centers the preferred option for most foreigners.
Other cities may support English irregularly. If unsure, you can take your test in any city that offers English, even if your PKK was issued elsewhere.
You’ll need to bring:
Results are recorded immediately in the PKK system. If you pass, the licensing office will be automatically notified. If you fail, you can retake the test as often as needed—there’s no limit, just repay the 30 PLN each time.
Need help preparing, choosing the easiest center, or scheduling a test in English? We’ll make sure you’re ready.
Not every foreign license qualifies for a direct exchange—and some licenses simply aren’t valid anymore. If you fall into one of these edge-case categories, don’t panic. There are still legal paths forward, though they may take more effort.
If your license comes from a country that’s not in the EU, not a signatory to the 1949 or 1968 Conventions, and has no bilateral agreement with Poland, it won’t be accepted directly. Common examples include licenses from China, India, most African nations, and some Latin American countries.
In these cases, you’ll be required to:
This process can be time-consuming, especially if your consulate is unresponsive. If this applies to you, we strongly recommend booking a personal consultation so we can evaluate the best path forward.
If your license is expired or has no listed expiration date (common with older documents), Polish authorities will require a medical certificate confirming you’re fit to drive. For professional licenses (C/D), a psychological assessment may also be required.
Be aware that if your license expired long ago, or you cannot prove its authenticity, you may be required to start from scratch—completing full driver’s education and passing both theory and practical tests.
If your license was issued by a former state (e.g. USSR, Yugoslavia), Polish authorities will ask for evidence that it was converted or still recognized by a successor country. If no such evidence exists, you may be treated as a new driver.
This means going through full driver training. If you have unofficial translations or documents, they won’t be enough. A consulate-issued confirmation is often required—but not guaranteed to succeed.
If you’ve lost your physical license or had it suspended in your home country, Poland won’t allow the exchange. You’ll be treated as an unlicensed applicant and must begin the full process from zero.
If you’re not sure how Polish authorities will treat your case—or if delays are already mounting—we can step in, evaluate your status, and manage the bureaucracy on your behalf.
Poland’s license exchange policies aren’t random—they’re grounded in national legislation, EU directives, and international agreements. Whether or not your license is accepted depends entirely on how your home country relates to these legal frameworks.
Poland is a signatory to both the 1949 Geneva Convention and the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. If your country is also a party to one of these, your license is likely recognized for at least short-term driving, and often eligible for exchange without a full retest.
Poland has direct license exchange agreements with several countries, which allow license swaps without any testing:
Licenses from these countries are accepted under a simplified process, as long as residency criteria are met. See the 2005 ministerial regulation listing them.
This list includes countries whose licenses are most commonly exchanged without exams:
Not sure where your country stands? Use our full license eligibility checker (coming soon) or book a consultation for personalized advice.
Exchanging a driver’s license in Poland isn’t one-size-fits-all. Here are real-life examples of how different expats handled the process—and how we helped them avoid months of bureaucratic gridlock.
Alex moved to Poland on a TRC to work remotely. His valid U.S. license wasn’t accepted for direct exchange. He had no idea where to start, and the city hall didn’t speak English. We booked his WORD exam in Kraków (in English), helped him pass on the first try, and submitted all documents on his behalf. He had his Polish license in 5 weeks.
✅ Let us handle your exam & documents
Ayesha held an Indian license that had expired a few months before her arrival. She needed a medical certificate, theory test, and translation—but didn’t know Polish and had no zameldowanie. We helped her book a doctor, submit a declaration of temporary stay, and pass her test in Wrocław. Now she drives legally to class every day.
💡 Book a personalized consultation
Marek, a refugee with a Ukrainian license, faced delays because the city hall needed formal verification from his consulate. We provided him with the embassy payment receipt, submitted the form, and coordinated with officials to unblock his application. He didn’t need to retest and now has his Polish license.
📄 Need help dealing with embassy red tape?
Tom, born in the U.S. but holding dual Polish citizenship, returned after 20 years abroad. His old Polish license had expired, and he had a valid Texas license. We helped him avoid redoing the entire process by documenting his continuous driving history and getting the city to accept it under the Vienna Convention rules.
Whether your foreign license is from Canada, Korea, or Kazakhstan, exchanging it for a Polish one is possible—but only if you follow the rules exactly. As of 2025, Poland’s requirements are stricter, more digitalized, and unforgiving of missing documents or incorrect assumptions.
If your license qualifies for direct exchange, the process is mostly administrative. If not, you’ll need to pass a theory test and possibly go through additional verification. Either way, success depends on showing up prepared—with the right documents, timing, translations, and expectations.
✅ The good news? Once you have your Polish license, it’s valid across the EU—and you won’t have to worry about police stops, rental car issues, or insurance problems ever again.
If you’re tired of delays, confusing regulations, or you simply want to get it done without stress, we’re here to help:
For just $570, English Wizards will take over your license exchange process—documents, scheduling, translations, even city hall follow-ups. Zero headaches. Maximum speed.
And if your situation is complicated—expired license, no PESEL, or dealing with embassy delays—don’t guess. Book a consultation and we’ll give you a strategy that works.
No. Polish authorities will keep your original license or send it back to your home country. You cannot legally hold two valid licenses.
Yes. A PESEL number is mandatory for initiating the license exchange process. You can get one with a valid residency basis (TRC, permanent residence, etc.).
No. You must have a legal stay valid for more than 185 days—typically a Temporary Residence Card (TRC) or long-stay visa.
You’ll need to pass a theoretical driving exam and possibly obtain a Polish medical certificate. No direct exchange is allowed.
In many cities, yes—but not all. Some regions only allow Polish-language exams. You can bring a certified interpreter if needed.
Usually 4–8 weeks. Delays often come from waiting on your home country to confirm your license or driving history.
Yes, unless it’s in Polish. You must use a sworn (certified) translator registered in Poland.
You can’t exchange an expired license. Depending on the case, you may need to retake all exams and apply as a first-time driver.
Book a personal consultation with our legal team for step-by-step advice or full-service assistance.