Poland
Driving license
Driving Licence Rules and Exchange in Poland
Validity and exchange guide
Check foreign driving licence validity rules, exchange requirements, medical findings, and application steps with the competent Polish authorities.
It starts with the country that issued your licence
Licences from other EU countries stay valid in Poland, so the exchange mostly matters if your licence was issued elsewhere and you now live here. The wydział komunikacji (transport department) of your county or city office first has your licence confirmed by the issuing country, which can take a while, and may ask for a theory exam if the licence does not follow the international road-traffic conventions. You hand in your foreign licence when you collect the Polish one.
How it works
Swap your foreign driving licence for a local one and check what you need.
After you move, your foreign licence is usually valid only for a limited time. Licences from EU and EEA countries can normally be exchanged without a test; licences from other countries only under specific agreements, and otherwise you may need to take a driving test. You usually need your original licence, ID, proof of address, a photo and sometimes a certified translation or a medical certificate. Apply in good time, as processing can take several weeks and you may have to hand in your old licence.
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At a glance
The office for your home address handles it
Transport departments in county and city offices deal with licence exchange, and each has its own way of taking applicants. Some begin at an information point, others expect you to book first, and the documents they want to see are not identical.
Guides
Related services
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How a trusted profile works for people living in Poland, what to bring to a confirmation point and which kinds of office can confirm it.
Understand how tax registration works, when a NIP is needed and how to reach the tax office that covers your address.
Learn what the departure report is, how it affects permanent and temporary registration and who may file it, then find the office.
See when you need a new ID card, how an online start works and why a visit to the office is still required, then pick an office.
See how re-registering at a new address works, who can do it online and which office takes it, then find the counter in your city.
Other countries
Moving on, or comparing before you decide? See how this works elsewhere.
Most offices in Tilburg, The Hague, and 's-Hertogenbosch
Most offices in Liège, Tournai, and Brussels
Most offices in Augsburg, Berlin, and Bielefeld
Most offices in A Coruña, Alicante, and Almería
Most offices in Akranes, Akureyri, and Borgarnes
Where to next
Browse transport departments that exchange foreign licences and see how each handles checks, exams and appointments.
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