20 Things That Only The Most Devoted EU Driving License Poland Costs Fans Understand
How führerschein kosten in polen Does an EU Driving License Cost?
Everyone hopes to have an driving license that will never expire. However, the reality is very different.
The process of getting the Polish driving license involves several steps. The most important are: medical examination as well as theory and practical instruction. You must also meet the requirements for age of the category for which you are applying for a driving licence.
1. Medical exam
To obtain a driving license, first get a doctor's (orzeczenie lkarskie) approval that you are fit to drive. It may sound odd, but this is how it is done in Poland. The doctor will ask you a bunch of questions that aren't really relevant to your health, such as whether you suffer from problems with your eyesight, or any other medical issue but they will not actually examine you in any way. The cost of this exam is around 200 PLN.
If you're from an area that is part of the EU or EEA or one that is a participant in the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic then you don't need to complete this process because your driving licence is valid in Poland. If you're from a non-member country, you will need to pass both a theoretical and a practical test, and also an exam for medical certification to obtain an official Polish driving license.
Both exams can be conducted in English, however it is a bit of a chance to fail or succeed based on the centre. It is a good idea to call ahead and check availability prior to making an appointment. You'll also have to book an interpreter if your level of Polish is not high enough to pass the test.
After you've received your medical certificate, you must visit the district authority to get an official driver's profile completed (PKK Profil Kandydata na Kierowce). You will need to take the passport scan as well as proof of your residency in Poland and a current photo in color.
Then, you visit an office that is specially designed to make your personal file and scan your documents to give them to you. From this point you can begin to prepare for the test and enroll in a driving school. You can find WORD facilities in all major cities and many smaller ones however, most schools require a payment in order to be able to run their courses.
2. Theory test
If you're a driver with a foreign driving license valid in Poland provided you have an International Driving Permit ("IDP"). If you plan to drive a car in Poland for a period longer than six months, you will need an IDP. In other cases, it is required to exchange it to obtain the Polish driving license. You must satisfy four requirements to complete the process that include: you must be a Polish citizen, you must pass a medical examination and pass a state-approved driving test and you must have completed driving lessons at a driving school that has been approved by the government.
To take the state-issued driving test, you need a Driving Candidate Profile (PKK) and other documents. This includes your ID as well as your health certificate, a copy of your report from a certified driving instructor and a copy of your residence permit or visa. The driving test itself consists of two parts: the theoretical part and the practical. The theory portion consists of 32 multiple-choice tests that cover subjects like road signs, traffic rules emergency protocols, safe driving techniques. You must be able to answer at least 26 of the questions to pass.
The practical part of your driving test involves driving on a public highway under the supervision of a trained instructor. During this time, an instructor will evaluate your ability to follow the rules of driving particularly in challenging situations like city streets or highways. The test will last approximately 40 minutes.
Before you can take your state driving test, you have to apply for a PKK at the Province Road Traffic Centers. You'll need your identification document and proof that you have paid the required fee as well as a photograph of yourself. If you don't know Polish, you can be assisted by an experienced interpreter during the test.
3. Practical test
If you're driving that has a foreign license, you'll also have to pass the practical test. This is a harder test than the one for theory, and the rate of passing is lower. Furthermore, you are able to take the test in a practical manner 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 take the test, you must fill out an application form in Polish. Google Translate will help. Also, you must have an official medical certificate that proves you're fit to drive.
You have to present a photo ID, the proof of your health care coverage, and a recent photo in color (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 an application for a driving profile for the candidate (RKK) and then receive a code number that you can use in the system.
The process can be difficult and time-consuming, particularly when you're not a native speaker of the Polish language. It is advisable to find an English-speaking instructor and make reservations for your lessons well in advance. You can also find driving school that offer English lessons in specific regions.
The person who applies for the Polish driver's license must submit the original copy of their residence permit or visa if not EU citizens. This is required to prove that you've resided in Poland for at least 185 days.
The office will require proof of payment both for the theory and the practical test. The total cost for the entire process is approximately 1,500 PLN. You can pay in cash but it doesn't guarantee quicker processing of your documents. The entire process takes two to four weeks. In certain areas, it could be even longer. Ask your local office if are unsure of the deadlines.
4. Documents
For foreigners who have emigrated to Poland and would like to drive, getting an Polish driver's license is essential for avoiding problems with car insurance. Before they can get this, they need to pass the theoretical test which will cost them. This will be less difficult for foreigners who are citizens of countries who have signed the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic of 1968.
The first thing they must do is to ensure that they have been in Poland for a minimum of six months. This should be confirmed by either local address registration or a residence permit or the issuance of a visa. The applicant must also fill out the complete application form. The form can be found on the internet or at an office in your area. They must also submit an up-to-date photo that measures 35 x 45 mm and documents of identification such as a passport. They must also submit an official health certificate that proves they are qualified to drive.
The voivodship office will prepare the driving license documents for issuance. It usually takes between 5 and 9 working days. The waiting time could be as long as one month in cases which require a thorough examination.
A foreign national will also need to submit a copy of the medical certificate of their doctor. It is important to possess a valid medical certificate because without it, the foreigner may be required to retake the theory test, which can extend the waiting time by up to two months.
After the driving licence is prepared, you will be required to pay an office fee. The fee is 100 PLN for EU citizens and 250 PLN for non-EU citizens. The fee can be paid by bank transfer, debit or credit card. The applicant will receive the driver's license at their residence address. If for any reason, the driving license is not issued, an appeal may be made to the Local Government Appeals Board in Rzeszow via the City Mayor.