Many foreigners moving to Poland eventually decide to get a local driving license instead of driving long-term on a foreign one, and in some cases, the law actually requires it. Here’s how to get a Polish license from scratch, and how to exchange one you already have.

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Getting a driving license in Poland

The most common license type is category B: Prawo jazdy kategorii B. Any adult who completes the required course and passes the exam can get one.

The exam has two parts:

1. Theory: a test taken at the regional traffic center (WORD) after completing a prep course. 2. Practice: actual driving; you can retake it as many times as needed, but each additional attempt is a paid one.

What the driving exam looks like

Practical exams in Poland are genuinely demanding: most exam cars have cameras installed, so you need real driving skills to pass, and there’s essentially no room for shortcuts or bribery. Statistically, most candidates only pass the practical exam on their second or third try.

Foreigners are allowed to take a Polish driving exam once they can confirm at least 185 days of residence in the country.

Documents you need to submit

To register for the practical exam, WORD requires:

  • an application form;
  • proof of payment for the exam;
  • proof of residence in Poland for more than 185 days;
  • a standard ID photo (3.5×4.5 cm);
  • confirmation that you completed the theory course and passed the theory test;
  • a medical certificate confirming no health contraindications for driving.

Driving license categories

Category B is available from age 18. Main categories include:

  • A: motorcycles;
  • A1 and AE: lighter motorcycles;
  • B: vehicles up to 3.5 tons (regular cars);
  • B1: quad bikes (available from age 16);
  • C: vehicles over 3.5 tons;
  • D: buses and similar vehicles.

Automatic-transmission-only licenses

Since 2011, Poland has offered a license valid only for automatic-transmission cars. It’s generally easier to get, but if you’re caught driving a manual with it, the license is treated as invalid, with all the usual legal consequences. Automatic-only courses are mostly offered by larger driving schools, so the course typically costs somewhat more than a standard one; exact pricing varies significantly between cities and schools, so check with a specific school rather than relying on a fixed figure.

Do you need to exchange your license for a Polish one?

If your license was issued in the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, you are not required to exchange it for a Polish one. You can keep using it indefinitely.

If your license was issued by a country party to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic (which includes Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia), and you’ve been living in Poland on a residence permit or other legal basis for more than 185 days, you’re required to exchange it for a Polish license.

As of 2026: the obligation kicks in once 6 months (185 days) have passed since you obtained your residence permit; different official sources phrase this the same way in slightly different words.

The stamp duty for the exchange is 100 PLN for issuing the new document, payable to the relevant local office’s account or in person.

How to exchange your license

Documents are submitted to your local branch of the Office of Administration and Civil Affairs (Delegatura Biura Administracji i Spraw Obywatelskich). Processing takes anywhere from 9 days to 1 month.

You’ll need to bring:

  • a completed application;
  • an ID document plus a copy;
  • a standard 3.5×4.5 cm photo;
  • proof of residence in Poland (meldunek);
  • your current license plus a copy;
  • a sworn translation of your current license by a Polish certified translator (for licenses not matching the convention template);
  • proof of payment of the stamp duty;
  • a medical certificate (if requested).

You can only hold one valid driving license in Poland: once you receive the new one, your old license stays with the office.

You can check the status of your document on the info-car.pl portal (the CEPiK system) or at your local office.

FAQ

Do I need to exchange my EU license for a Polish one after living in Poland for more than 185 days? No. Licenses issued in the EU/EEA/Switzerland can be used in Poland without a mandatory exchange.

What happens if I don’t exchange my license on time? Driving with a license that’s no longer valid (because the required exchange wasn’t done) is treated the same as driving without a license, with all the legal consequences that implies.

Can I retake the practical exam as many times as I want? Yes, but each attempt is a paid one; check current pricing at your specific WORD center.