The Costs of Getting a Driving License in Poland
Getting a driving license in Poland is a crucial step towards exploring the stunning landscapes of Poland and historic cities as well as charming villages. Before planning your road trip in Poland, it's important to know the cost associated when obtaining a driving permit.
The process involves paying an application fee and taking a medical examination. There are also expenses involved when you enroll in a driving school and taking the state examinations (practical and the theory).
1. Medical examination
In the process of acquiring a license, you are required to undergo a medical exam, or orzeczenie lekarskie, in Polish. The examination is conducted by occupational medicine doctors who will test your hearing, eyesight and motor skills, and also assess your mental health. It is essential to inform the doctor of any chronic conditions that may impact your driving ability. The cost of the exam could range between 100 and 200 PLS, based on which clinic you choose. On the official website of the Ministry of Health, you will find a physician who provides these services.
A driver's license in Poland consists of two parts of theory and practice. Both are governed by the rules of the provincial road traffic center (Wojewodzki Osrodek Ruchudrogowego). A new driver is able to take the theoretical exam at any WORD in Poland, regardless of their place of residence. For the practical portion they need to first enroll in a driving course.
There are a lot of driving schools in the country, and some offer courses in foreign languages, such as English, Ukrainian or Russian. Read the Full Guide driving course lasts 2-3 months and costs a total of about PLN1000 (depending on the city). Once you pass the course, you are required to take the state exam at the same place where you completed your training.
If you're a resident of an European Union member state, you are able to use your existing driving license in Poland without having to exchange it for an Polish one. If you're a citizen of a non EU state which has not signed the international conventions for road traffic, you will have to change your driving license after passing the theory test in Poland.
You will require the required documents:
2. Theory test
To obtain a driver's license In Poland requires passing both a theoretical and practical test. The costs for these tests differ in line with the magnitude of the category of vehicle you wish to operate. Category A is for motorcycles and category B is for cars, and category C is for large trucks and vehicles.
The cost for the theoretical course is generally minimal, ranging from 500 PLN to 2500 dollars. The cost of road-based training and practical classes is higher than you'd think. In this case you'll need have enough funds to cover the cost of these lessons and exam fees.
If you already have a valid driving license from an EU country or a country that has accepted the 1968 Vienna Convention, you will not have to pass a test of theory or pass the practical exam. You will still need to apply for an Polish driving licence. You can register by visiting your local provincial road traffic center (osrodek ruchu drogowego).
In the majority of cases, you will be required to carry the following documents:
A completed application form. You can download it on the internet, however you'll have to fill in the form in Polish. It is important to know that the requirements for Polish language to get an Polish driver's license are very high. Therefore, it is advised to have an interpreter.
Proof of identity can be an ID card, a passport or any other document that has your name and date of birth. If you are a non-native and you are a foreign national, you must to present an identity card or visa and a signed consent from your parent or legal guardian (in case you are under the age of 18) and a certificate from your driving school which confirms that you have passed both the theory and the examinations for practice.
You might be required to provide an official medical certificate. This is usually the situation for foreigners. If you hold an international driver's license and you are staying in Poland for more than six months, you won't be required to undergo a medical exam.
3. Practical test
If you intend to drive in Poland, especially if your visa/residence permit does not require a Polish license, be aware that bribing your exam is not an option. The process is controlled and monitored and even a slight attempt to bribe a teacher could lead to the arrest. If you're not a Polish citizen, you'll need to pass a theory test and a practical course before obtaining a driver's license in Poland.
Theoretical test
It is a test written on traffic rules and road signs, as well as safety regulations. This exam is available in a variety of languages and is required for foreigners who want to obtain their Polish driving license.
Practical lessons
Once you've passed the theory test, you'll need to enroll in practical driving lessons with an instructor near your home. This will require a specific number of driving lessons with a driver instructor, that are adapted to your previous experience and the category of license that you're trying to obtain.
State driving test:
The state exams are conducted in Province Road Traffic Centers (WORD in Polish). The theory and practice portions of the test are conducted simultaneously and you'll have to be present at both. Drivers who don't speak Polish can have a sworn translator accompany them during the part of the state driving test.
In order to pass the state-issued driving test you'll need to fill out a driver's profile (PKK profile kandydata, also known as profil kandydata the kierowce) and a valid passport and proof of your Polish residency, as well as medical certificates. After you've completed all of these information, you'll need to submit them to the office - it could be your starost's office (starostwo powiatowe), city or town hall or district authority in Warsaw (urzad dzielnicy). The final step is to buy an International Driving Permit if necessary, which will allow you to drive while you're in Poland. The process can be lengthy and stressful However, don't get discouraged it is possible to get a Polish driving license from abroad if you meet the requirements. The costs for this procedure differ by country and can be quite expensive It is therefore recommended to begin the process early.
4. Practical lessons
The theory exam is one of the most difficult aspects of getting a driving license in Poland. The theory test covers everything from road signs to traffic rules and safety regulations. It's available in a variety of languages and, therefore, even if you do not speak Polish you are able to take the test. After passing the test, you'll need to enroll in a driving school and complete some sessions with an instructor. These lessons will help you prepare for the state examination and improve your driving skills. They'll also help you understand Polish car maintenance (level of oil, antifreeze, the working of lights, adjusting the seat and mirrors, etc.).
The cost of driving lessons depends on the class of the driver. It is about 100 z. for an instruction course under a Cat. B license. However, some schools offer a package that includes the theory and practical test for a lower cost.
You'll need certain documents before you take the driving test for state. If you're not yet 18 years old, you'll require written consent from your parent or legal guardian. If you're a foreigner you'll require a visa or other document that proves your legal residence in Poland. You'll also require an official medical document proving that you don't have any medical contraindications to driving. The driving school can provide this certificate at a fee.
After you have completed the course and successfully passed the state examination and passed the state examination, you will be issued the Driving Candidates Profile. This profile allows you to legally drive in Poland for two years. After that, you'll need to renew your license. To do this you'll need to provide a document that proves your legal residency in Poland and also have a valid medical certificate. If you have a car you'll need an official registration certificate for your vehicle and proof of insurance. If you don't, you'll need to buy an insurance policy through a private insurer. This will cost around 350 PLN per year.