Replacing a foreign driving license with a Polish one

Replacing a foreign driving license with a Polish one may be necessary for people who intend to live and drive in Poland. This process may seem complicated, but with this guide you will learn how to go through it step by step. In the following sections of the article we will discuss, among others: exchange procedure, documents needed to apply for an exchange, specifics of exchanging driving licenses from different countries and information for foreigners regarding this process.

Please note that procedures may vary depending on your individual situation and the country where your foreign driving license comes from. It is worth using professional help from a law firm to ensure that the process runs smoothly and in accordance with applicable regulations.

Understanding the process of exchanging a foreign driving license

The process of replacing a driving license involves replacing a foreign document authorizing you to drive a vehicle with a Polish equivalent. The exchange is necessary for people who intend to live and drive a vehicle in Poland permanently. General exchange rules include, among others: meeting formal requirements, such as reporting to the appropriate communications department, submitting the required documents and paying the appropriate fees.

Procedure for replacing a foreign driving license

Replacement procedure Converting a foreign driving license to a Polish one consists of several steps. First, you should contact the communication department appropriate for your place of residence. Then, you must submit the required documents, such as a foreign driving license, passport, and registration certificate. In some cases, it may also be necessary to provide a translation of your driving license into Polish. After completing all formalities, the office will issue a decision to replace the driving license and then provide you with a new document.

How long does the exchange process take?

The exchange process takes a long time driving license depends on several factors, such as the office’s workload, completeness of the application and possible additional procedures, e.g. verification of a foreign driving license. On average, the replacement process can take from several weeks to even several months. Therefore, it is worth planning the exchange in advance to avoid problems related to the lack of a valid driving license.

Driving license replacement fee: how much does it cost?

Driving license replacement fee depends on the type of document and any additional fees, such as driving license translation. The basic exchange fee is approximately PLN 100. If you need to translate your driving license, the cost may increase by several dozen zlotys. It is worth noting that the cost of replacing a driving license may vary depending on individual cases, so it is worth checking the exact information on the website of the relevant office or consulting an employee of the communications department.

How to apply for an exchange of a foreign driving license

In order to apply for an exchange of a foreign driving license for a Polish one, you need to take several steps. The guide below provides tips and advice that will help you through the entire exchange process.

Documents needed to exchange a foreign driving license

Before starting the exchange process, it is worth collecting all the documents needed to exchange your driving license. Here is the list of necessary documents:

• Foreign driving license
• ID card or passport
• Certificate of arrival
• Driving license photo (size 35×45 mm)
• For some countries: translation of the driving license into Polish

Detailed information about each of the exchange documents mentioned can be found on the website of the relevant communication department or consulted with an office employee.

Verification of a foreign driving license

During the exchange process, the office may verify your foreign driving license. This process involves checking whether the foreign driving license is valid, whether it was issued on the basis of forged documents and whether there are any contraindications to its replacement. The verification may also include checking whether the person applying for an exchange meets the requirements regarding driver experience and whether there are no driving bans imposed.

Translation of a foreign driving license: when is it needed?

Translation of a foreign driving license may be required if the document was issued in a language other than Polish. In such a situation, you should contact a sworn translator who will translate your driving license into Polish. Please remember that the cost of translating a driving license may amount to several dozen zlotys and this is an additional expense incurred by the person applying for the exchange.

In the case of driving licenses issued in European Union Member States, translation is not required as these documents are mutually recognized by the Member States.

Specifics of exchanging driving licenses from different countries

The process of exchanging a foreign driving license may vary depending on the country of origin of the document. In this part of the article we will discuss the specifics of exchanging driving licenses from Great Britain, Belarus and European Union member states.

Recognition of a British driving license in Poland

If a British driving license is recognized in Poland, the exchange process is relatively easy. A British driving license is recognized in Poland without the need to translate the document. Replacement is performed based on the standard procedure described in the previous sections of this article. However, it is worth remembering that after Brexit, people with a British driving license should check the current regulations regarding the exchange of driving licenses, as they may change.

Replacing a Belarusian driving license: what should you know?

When it comes to a Belarusian driving license, the exchange process is a bit more complicated. A translation of the driving license into Polish by a sworn translator is required. In addition, in some cases it may be necessary to apply for verification of your driving license in the country of issue. It is worth contacting the relevant transport department to learn about the detailed requirements for exchanging a Belarusian driving license for a Polish one.

Foreign driving license from a European Union member state

If you want to exchange a driving license issued in a European Union Member State, the process is much simpler. Driving licenses issued in EU countries are mutually recognized, which means that there is no need to translate the document into Polish. Replacement is performed based on the standard procedure described in the previous sections of this article. However, it is worth remembering that in the case of some driving license categories, e.g. C, D, E, it may be necessary to submit additional documents, such as a medical or psychological certificate.

After exchange: obtaining a Polish driving license

In this part of the article, we will discuss what to do after exchanging a foreign driving license for a Polish driving license. You will learn how to collect a new document, what personal data is included in the Polish driving license and what the driving license document templates in Poland look like.

Collecting your Polish driving license after exchange

Once you have completed the process of exchanging your foreign driving license, it is time to collect your driving license. The new document will be available at the communications department where the replacement request was submitted. The driving license is collected in person and, in the case of minors, by a parent or legal guardian. It is worth remembering that a Polish driving license is valid for 15 years from the date of issue, and after this period it must be replaced with a new one.

Personal data in the Polish driving license

Personal data in the driving license are necessary to identify the document holder and to check the driving license. A Polish driving license contains the following personal data:

• First name and last name
• Date and place of birth
• Address
• Photo
• Signature
• PESEL number (or identification number for foreigners)
• Date of issue and validity of the driving license
• Driving license categories and dates of obtaining them

If your personal data changes, such as your name or address, you must report these changes to the appropriate transport department and exchange your driving license for a new one.

Driving license document templates in Poland

Driving license document templates in Poland are compliant with the requirements of the European Union. The Polish driving license takes the form of a plastic card with dimensions of 85.6 x 53.98 mm, similar to a credit card. The obverse contains personal data, a photo and signature of the holder, as well as information about the categories of the driving license and their validity. The reverse side contains additional information, such as restrictions or conditions regarding your qualifications.

It is worth noting that the Polish driving license is issued in Polish, but also contains translations of some information into the official languages ​​of the European Union Member States. Thanks to this, the Polish driving license is accepted in most countries in the world.

Information for foreigners regarding the exchange of a driving license

In this part of the article, we will present information for foreigners regarding the exchange of a foreign driving license for a Polish one. We will discuss the impact of having the right of residence on the exchange process and how to obtain a PKK number on the Citizen.gov.pl website.

Having a residence permit and replacing a driving license

Possession of the right of residenceis one of the key conditions that must be met for a foreigner to be able to exchange a foreign driving license for a Polish one. To apply for an exchange of a driving license, a foreigner must have a valid right of residence in Poland, e.g. a visa, temporary or permanent residence permit. In the case of citizens of European Union Member States, permanent or temporary residence is required.

It is worth noting that some categories of foreigners, such as students or people working in Poland, may be exempt from the obligation to exchange their driving license for a Polish one if their stay does not exceed a specified period (usually 6 months). In such a case, the foreign driving license is recognized in Poland.

How to obtain a PKK number on the Citizen.gov.pl website

PKK number (Driver Candidate Profile) is necessary to submit an application for exchanging a foreign driving license for a Polish one. To obtain a PKK number, a foreigner must register on the website dziennik.gov.pl and complete the appropriate form. During registration, you must provide your personal data, such as name, surname, date of birth, PESEL number (or identification number for foreigners) and residential address.

After registering on the portal and obtaining a PKK number, a foreigner may submit an application for a replacement driving license to the appropriate transport department. It is worth remembering that the PKK number is valid for 6 months from the date of its generation, and after this period it must be renewed if the driving license has not been exchanged.

Summary

In this article, we have presented a complete guide to exchanging a foreign driving license for a Polish one. We discussed the exchange process, documents needed for the exchange, foreign driver’s license verification, and driving license translation when required. We also presented the specifics of exchanging driving licenses from various countries, such as Great Britain, Belarus or European Union member states.

We also touched on issues related to receiving a Polish driving license after exchange, personal data in the Polish driving license and sample driving license documents in Poland. Finally, we presented information for foreigners regarding the exchange of a driving license, such as the impact of having a residence permit on the exchange process and how to obtain a PKK number on the website dziennik.gov.pl.

We hope that this guide will help both beginners and advanced readers understand the process of exchanging a foreign driving license for a Polish one and prepare for this process. Remember that replacing your driving license is an important step in driving legally on the roads in Poland, so it is worth spending time collecting all the necessary documents and completing the formalities related to this process.