Who can get a driving license in Poland?
The current rules for issuing documents for the right to drive vehicles state that a Polish driver’s license can be obtained by anyone who meets the following two conditions :
- Lives in Poland for at least 185 days.
- Has the appropriate age to receive a document of a certain category.
A person who meets these criteria can apply for a driver’s license after submitting the relevant applications.
How to get a driving license in Poland?
The process of obtaining a driver’s license consists of six stages. It:
- Choosing a driving school.
- Medical examination of driver’s license.
- Production of PKK.
- Driving course.
- State examination.
- Receiving the document.
Choosing a driving school
The first step on the way to a driver’s license is choosing a driving school that will prepare the student for the theoretical and practical test for the chosen category. When choosing, you should pay attention first of all to whether the school offers courses for this category. It is also worth checking the passing rate among students from this OSK.
Medical examinations
Appropriate medical examinations are required for each category of driver’s license. Only with a certificate that there are no contraindications to driving, you can proceed to the next stages of obtaining rights.
Production of PKK
The next step is to create a driver candidate profile (PKK). The PKK number is obtained from the communications department after submitting the following documents:
- application for obtaining a driver’s license,
- color photo 3.5 x 4.5 cm,
- medical certificate (and psychological in the case of categories C and D),
- an identity document (for verification),
- consent of parents or legal representatives (in the case of minors),
- a photocopy of the driver’s license (if the candidate already has this document),
- a document confirming a stay in Poland for more than 185 days (for foreigners).
Driving course in Poland
After receiving the PKK, the intern can start studying at a driving school. The driving course consists of a theoretical and a practical part, and its duration varies depending on the category and the chosen driving school.
State exam – driver’s license tests and practical test in Poland
The driving test – regardless of the category – consists of a theoretical and a practical part. It is transferred to the Regional Traffic Center (WORD). The theoretical part consists in solving a test consisting of 32 questions for each category. Questions for the driver’s license exam are divided into:
- 20 questions on basic knowledge of traffic law,
- 12 expert questions per category.
The course of the practical exam varies depending on the category being taken – these questions are discussed in detail on the pages dedicated to these categories. However, it is possible to highlight the main common elements – during each exam:
- the technical condition of the vehicle was checked and it was prepared for movement,
- performs the necessary maneuvers on the maneuvering area,
- you have passed your road driving test.
Obtaining a driver’s license in Poland
After receiving a positive test result, it remains to obtain and obtain a driver’s license. The entire procedure is detailed below.
Application form for obtaining a driver’s license in Poland and how to fill it out
Application forms for obtaining a driver’s license can be found in the communication departments of city or district offices, as well as in the district mayors. You can also print them out and fill them out yourself, below you can find: a sample questionnaire and a form to fill out yourself. The application for obtaining a driver’s license is submitted before the start of the training course for each category of driver’s license. The same form is also used for the exchange of foreign driver’s licenses for Polish ones, as well as for the exchange of driver’s licenses due to destruction, theft or alteration of data.
Application for a national driving license wniosek-o-wydanie-prawa-jazdy-2019-jakiwniosek-p Download
A person applying for a driver’s license for the first time must fill out the document in accordance with the instructions below:
- Title – enter the data of the municipality or district department where the documents are submitted (according to our place of residence)
- Part A. Details of the person submitting the application
- Part B. – DO NOT COMPLETE
- Part C. Driver’s license
- 1. put a tick in the appropriate box, in this case point a) and category B (right)
- 2 . tick the appropriate sub-clauses regarding the appendices, i.e. a), b), c) and d)
- Section D. DO NOT COMPLETE
- Part E. DO NOT COMPLETE
- Part F. How to send the document – if you want to receive the document by post, fill in the appropriate fields.
- Part G
- The following points must be noted in the declarations : 1), 2), 3), 4), 5), 6)
- Photo – a photo taken in accordance with the recommendations is attached to the application. The photo must be 3.5 x 4.5 cm in size. The official will stick the photo to the application himself.
- Declaration from the place of residence – we fill in the fact
- Section H. DO NOT COMPLETE
How to fill out an application for a driver’s license?
- In the upper part of the application, fill in the details of the communication department to which the application is sent.
- In part A, enter your personal data.
- Part B is filled out only by persons who exchange their driver’s license or wish to obtain a duplicate.
- In Part C, if the applicant is applying for the first time, he/she shall tick (a) and indicate the category of driving licence. In point 2, tick a), b), c) and d).
- Part D is completed by persons applying for confirmation of professional qualifications.
- Part E is filled in by persons applying for a duplicate or change of document due to a change in data.
- In part F, the applicant chooses the method of obtaining the document.
- In part G, check the boxes 1 to 6.
At the end, you must fill in the declaration of residence and sign the document by hand.
The application must be filled in capital letters.
Questions and answers on driver’s licenses
What parameters must photos have for obtaining a driver’s license?
Document photos have a number of guidelines that must be followed in order for an official to accept a photo for a document. Below are the most important of them.
The driver’s license photo must be:
- size: 3.5 x 4.5 cm,
- colors,
- current, i.e. not older than 6 months from the date of submission of the application,
- sharp and clear
- with natural contrast, on a uniform light background.
The photo should cover the face from the top of the head to the top of the shoulders from the front. The face should occupy about 80% of the entire photo. It is important that clear pupils are visible in the photo, and the person was photographed without a headdress and glasses with tinted lenses.
How many months before your birthday can you start driving lessons?
Driving courses can be started 3 months before reaching the age required for this category. In turn, you can take the exam itself a month before your birthday.
Driver’s license number and printed driver’s license number
The driver’s license document has 2 different numbers, one is the driver’s license number and the other is the print number.
The first is on the front of the document, in step 5. The driver’s license number is the identification number of the document. It is necessary to provide it when replacing the document in connection with obtaining new permits, as well as when changing data or a photo.
The driver’s license number should not be confused with the driver’s license number on the back of the document. You can find it under the barcode next to your driving license categories. The number is the numeric and alphanumeric representation of the specified barcode.
How to return a driver’s license that has been suspended for 3 months?
After 3 months from the moment of loss of driver’s license, the driver can submit an application for obtaining it to the transport department. A registration fee of PLN 0.50 is payable for the return or unlocking (in case of electronic blocking of the driver’s license) of the document. To obtain a driver’s license, a driver must pass a valid medical examination.
Who needs to issue a duplicate driver’s license?
Anyone who:
- changed place of residence,
- changed personal data, for example, name, surname → verification: change of surname after marriage, exchange of documents after marriage,
- has an expired driver’s license,
- has a temporary driver’s license that has expired.
The process is very similar to getting a driver’s license for the first time. It is necessary to fill out the relevant documents (medical examination, statement , photo, confirmation of payment) and submit them to the communication department of the relevant department. The cost of issuing a duplicate driver’s license is PLN 100.50. The fee can be paid by bank transfer to the office account and proof of payment can be sent via ePUAP together with other documents.
How important is a driver’s license?
All issued driving licenses are valid in Poland. They can be issued for a maximum period of 15 years and for a minimum period of one year. The term for which a driver’s license is issued is determined by the doctor who conducts the examination.
Driving license in the mObywatel application
From December 5, 2020, the driver does not need to carry a driver’s license. However, if he prefers to have the document with him for peace of mind, he can add it digitally in the mObywatel app. Then the application will contain such data as: the date of issuance of the driver’s license, its validity period, available categories, as well as the document number.
Lost driver’s license – what to do?
If a driver has lost his document, he must contact the Department of Transport immediately to keep his driving license and apply for a new document.