All Ukrainians living in Poland and using a car know that driving licenses issued in Ukraine must be exchanged for a Polish one. There are clear requirements as to who and when it is mandatory to do so.
So, Ukrainians residing in Poland for more than 6 months (185 days) must exchange their national driver's license for a Polish one. Ukrainians with temporary protection status were exempted from this obligation until December 31, 2023. But from January 2024, these rules apply to them as well.
Ukraine is a member of the Convention on Road Traffic, so the procedure for replacing Ukrainian driver's license in Poland is transparent and simple. It is enough to collect the necessary package of documents and submit them to the appropriate authority. To change a driving document, you do not need to take an exam or undergo a medical examination.
Why it is necessary to replace the driver's license
According to the agreement signed in Vienna, Ukrainian citizens can show their country's driver's license when driving in Poland (Article 41, Vienna Convention on Road Traffic). The same law applies in the opposite direction for Polish citizens when traveling on Ukrainian roads.
But there is one condition - the license is valid in another country temporarily. In the case of a permanent stay of a citizen of Ukraine in Poland, the car owner must obtain a Polish driver's license. The document is issued without examinations and is based on the license obtained in Ukraine.
According to part 4 of Article 5 of the Driver's Act, a Ukrainian can use the national driver's license within 6 months from the first day of permanent or temporary stay on the territory of the Polish Republic.
Who should change their driver's license?
You need to replace your Ukrainian driver's license in Poland if you are:
- A citizen of Ukraine who is legally staying in Poland for more than 185 days;
- a foreigner with Ukrainian citizenship who is employed in a position involving driving a car in Poland.
In the latter case, a foreigner needs to replace his/her license with a Polish one immediately, even before starting to perform his/her job duties.
Where do I change my driver's license?
A citizen of Ukraine can replace the national driver's license in Poland according to the standard scheme by applying to the local authorities. These are such institutions as:
- Uzhąd Starosta (w starostwie)
- Municipal Office (w urzędzie miasta)
- District Office (w urzędzie dzielnicy).
Important nuance: the authorities will accept documents from a foreign citizen only at the place of his/her registration. Therefore, in order to replace the license, the foreigner must have an official registration.
What documents should I submit?
How to extend Ukrainian driver's license in Poland and drive legally on the roads? If you live in Poland temporarily or permanently and you need to change your expired driver's license for a Polish one, prepare a package of documents:
- Application form.
- Color photo of 35 x 45 mm format, taken not later than 1 month.
- A copy of the valid driver's license.
- Translation of the driver's license into Polish, signed by a notary, Polish consul or made by a sworn translator
- A copy of a document confirming the legal status of stay on the territory of Poland. Also, the foreigner may present a certificate of study in the Republic of Poland for at least six months.
- A receipt for the payment of the fee for the issuance of a ready-made driving license.
Failure to change my driver's license within the required period of time?
Citizens of Ukraine who reside in Poland for more than 185 days and use a car should understand the risks of failing to replace their Ukrainian driver's license in a timely manner.
When staying in Poland for more than 185 days with a Ukrainian license there is a risk of getting into an unpleasant situation when applying to the insurance company in case of an accident.
The insurance company will take advantage of the fact that the license was not obtained in Poland. As a result, they may refuse to pay the due payments. Grounds - a foreigner has no right to drive a vehicle in Poland without a local driving permit if he/she has been in the country for more than 185 days.
In addition, if the driver is stopped by the police and found that the foreigner uses the Ukrainian license for more than 185 days, theoretically they can write a fine. However, in practice such cases are extremely rare.