How Much Does an EU Driving License Cost?
Everyone hopes to have an ideal driving license, that will never expire. However, the reality is quite different.
The process of getting an Polish driving license requires a lot of procedures. The most important ones are: medical exam and theory as well as practical classes. It is also important to meet the requirements of age for the category of driving license.
1. Medical examination
The first thing to be done in order to get your driving licence is getting an approval from a doctor (orzeczenie lekarskie) to drive. It may sound odd, but this is the way it works 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 other medical issues. They will not examine you physically. The fee for this exam is around 200 PLN.
If you're coming from an area that is part of the EU or EEA or a country which is a signatory to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic then you don't need to take this step because your driving licence is valid in Poland. If you are coming from a non-member nation you must pass both a theoretical and a practical test as well as an examination for medical reasons to get the Polish driving license.
Both exams can be conducted in English however it is an occasional hit or miss depending on the centre. It is a good idea to call ahead and confirm availability prior to making an appointment. It is also worth mentioning that in the event that you don't have a sufficient level of Polish to be able to pass the exam, then you'll need to book an interpreter for the day.
Once you have your medical certification, you'll need to go to the district authority to fill out the driver profile (PKK – Profil Kandydata na Kierowce). You will need to take a scan of your passport and proof of your residence in Poland and a recent photo in colour.
You then visit a special office, where they create your personal file and scan your documents. They then hand them to your. From there you can begin preparing for the tests and enroll at a driving school. You can find WORD facilities in all major cities, and a lot of smaller ones as well, although schools often require a fee to keep their classes.
2. Theory test
If you have a driving license issued in another country it is valid in Poland provided you carry an International Driving Permit ('IDP') along with it. You must have an IDP for any car used in Poland for more than six months. If not, you will need to exchange it to obtain the Polish driving licence. The process requires that you meet four conditions to be a Polish resident and you must have passed medical tests and you must pass the state-approved driving test and complete driving lessons at a government-approved school.
You'll need to submit an Driving Candidate Profile, as well as other documents to take the state-issued driving test. These include your ID, your health certificate, a report from a certified driving instructor and a copy of your residence permit or visa. The driving test is divided into two parts, the theoretical portion and the practical. The theoretical part includes thirty-two multiple-choice questions that cover issues as road signs and traffic laws, emergency procedures and safe driving techniques. To pass you must be able to answer 26 questions.
The practical part of the driving test consists of driving a car on a public roadway under supervised supervision. During this period an instructor will be observing your ability to follow the rules of the road, particularly in challenging situations such as city streets or highways. The test will last about 40 minutes.
Before you can pass your state driving test, you have to apply for a PKK at the Province Road Traffic Centers. You'll need to present 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 or Polish, you will be accompanied by a professional interpreter during the exam.
3. Practical test
If you're driving a car on a foreign licence you'll also have to pass the practical test. This is a much harder test than the theory and the rate of passing is quite low. Additionally, you can take the practical test only if you're legally residing in Poland. If not, your driving license is indefinite. You may be fined if are stopped by police for driving without a valid driver's license.
To take the test, you have to complete an application form in Polish. Google Translate can help. You will also need a medical certificate that states you are qualified to drive.
You must present an ID photo, proof of your health care coverage, and a recent photo in color (size 3,5 cm x 4,5 cm). You must register as a driver candidate with the Department of Civil Affairs. This will require that you complete a Driving Profile of the candidate (RKK) in order to receive a number to use within the system.
look at these guys is often complicated and time-consuming, particularly if you're not familiar with Polish language. It is advisable to find an English-speaking instructor, and to make reservations for your lessons well in advance. In some regions you will also find driving schools that provide lessons in English.
The person applying for an Polish driver's license must submit a copy either of their residence permit or visa if not EU citizens. This is required to prove that you've been in Poland for 185 days or more.
The office will also require evidence of payment for the theory and practical tests. The total cost should be about 1,500 PLN. There is a possibility of paying cash, but this doesn't guarantee you faster processing of documents. The entire process takes between two and four weeks. In some areas it can be even longer. If you're unsure about the deadlines, you'll need to contact your local office.
4. Documents
It is essential for foreigners who wish to drive in Poland to obtain the Polish driving license in order to avoid problems with their insurance coverage for cars. However before they can obtain that, they must pass the theoretical exam, and this process will cost them. The good aspect is that if they are citizens of countries who have signed the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, this process will be much easier than for non-natives.
First they must demonstrate that they have lived in Poland for at minimum six months. This should be confirmed by either local address registration, a residence permit, or an entry visa. They must also fill out a complete application form. The form can be found on the internet or at a local office. They should also provide an up-to-date photo that measures 35 x 45 millimeters and documents of identification like a passport. Finally, they must include an official certificate from the health care system which confirms that they do not have any health issues that prevent them from driving.
After they have submitted these documents The voivodship office will prepare the driving licence document to issue. This could take up to nine working days. If the case requires extensive testing the wait time can be up to 1 month.
In addition to the document that demonstrates their right to reside in Poland, a person who is a foreign national will need to submit a copy of their medical certificate. It is essential to have a valid medical certification since without it, the foreigner will be required to retake the theory test, which could increase the time they wait by as much as two months.
Once the driving license has been issued it will be required to be paid at the office. The cost is 100 PLN (for EU citizens) and 250 PLN (for non-EU citizens). This cost can be paid via bank transfer, debit card or credit card. The driver's license will then be mailed to the applicant's home address. If for any reason the driving license is not issued, an appeal could be filed to the Local Government Appeals Board in Rzeszow through the City Mayor.