If you are living in Poland and have a driving license from a non-EU country, you are required to exchange it for a Polish license. Driving in Poland on a Ukrainian, Russian, Belarusian, or other non-EU license beyond your first year of residence is technically illegal.
Does Poland Recognize My License?
- EU/EEA licenses (German, French, Czech, etc.) — no exchange needed
- Ukrainian licenses — must be exchanged, but no new driving test required (as of 2026)
- Belarusian, Russian, Moldovan licenses — must be exchanged, no test for existing categories
- Licenses from countries with bilateral agreements (e.g. USA in some cases) — check with the Starostwo
- All other non-EU licenses — must be exchanged, may require a theory test
Documents Required
- Current foreign driving license (original)
- Certified translation of the license into Polish (sworn translator)
- Karta Pobytu or visa confirming legal residence
- PESEL confirmation
- Medical certificate (orzeczenie lekarskie) — from a licensed Polish doctor
- Passport-size photo
- Application form (downloaded from the Starostwo website)
Where to Submit
You submit the application at your local Starostwo Powiatowe (county office). In Warsaw, this is the Wydzial Komunikacji at your district office (Urzad Dzielnicy). Book an appointment online — queues are long.
Costs and Timeline
- Certified translation: 80-150 PLN
- Medical certificate: 100-200 PLN
- License fee: 100.50 PLN
- Processing time: 2-4 weeks
Important Notes
- Your original license is kept by the Polish authorities and sent back to your home country
- You cannot drive during the exchange process — get a confirmation letter from the Starostwo
- If your license is expired, you may need to take a full test
Exchanging your license sounds simple but often gets stuck on translations or queues. Legal Solution handles it as part of a complete legalization package — efficiently and without surprises.