Driving License for Foreigners in Poland (2026). Guide: Exchange, Regulations, and Exam

Obtaining or exchanging a driving license in a foreign country can be a logistical challenge. The Polish system requires foreigners to complete several formalities, and starting in 2026, it also introduces new, strict traffic regulations. Here is a complete guide that will take you step-by-step through the procedures, exams, and the most important changes.

Exchanging a Foreign Driving License – Where to Start?

Whether you need to take an exam depends on the country that issued your current document:

• EU and EFTA Countries: If you have a driving license from a member state, it is valid in Poland until its expiration date. You do not need to exchange it. The same applies to UK documents issued by December 31, 2020.
• Vienna/Geneva Convention Countries: The exchange involves only document verification and paying a fee of 100 PLN. You hand over your foreign document, and the office issues a Polish one after verification.
• Other Countries (e.g., some US states): Exchanging the document itself is not enough. You must additionally pass the state theoretical exam at the WORD (Provincial Road Traffic Center). However, the practical exam is skipped. Remember that your foreign document loses its validity in Poland 6 months after obtaining a permanent or temporary residence permit.

The 185-Day Rule

To apply for a Polish driving license, you must legally reside in Poland for at least 185 days in a calendar year, which should result from personal or professional ties (e.g., an employment contract, Residence Card). The only exception is for foreign students – in their case, a certificate of studying in Poland for at least 6 months is sufficient.

Driver Candidate Profile (PKK) and Medical Examination

Before registering for the exam, you must obtain a PKK number from the office appropriate for your place of residence. For this, you will need:

• An application and a color photo (35 x 45 mm),
• A photocopy of your driving license with a sworn translation,
• A medical certificate,
• An ID document and proof of legal residence.

The examination by a medical examiner usually takes about 15-20 minutes. Your eyesight, hearing, and blood sugar levels are checked. Polish category B driving licenses are currently issued for a maximum of 15 years.

Theoretical Exam and the Language Barrier

The theoretical exam lasts 40 minutes and consists of 32 questions (20 basic and 12 specialized). To pass, you must score a minimum of 68 out of 74 points. A major convenience for foreigners in 2026 is that the exam can be taken not only in Polish but also in English and Ukrainian.

To approach the tests without stress, it is worth studying systematically and using modern methods. Instead of mechanically clicking random tests, a great solution is the free platform Zeryt.pl. It is based on a smart repetition algorithm that analyzes your mistakes and more frequently displays the questions you find difficult. This saves time and allows you to learn only what needs improvement.

Practical Exam – Can You Take It with a Translator?

Polish regulations clearly state that the practical exam at WORD is conducted exclusively in Polish. If the language barrier is a problem for you, you have the full right to use the services of a sworn translator. The translator sits in the back seat and simultaneously translates the examiner's commands. Remember that you must organize and pay for this service yourself – in 2026, rates start at around 250 PLN per hour.

If you decide to take the exam without assistance, you absolutely must master the key Polish commands:

• Proszę przygotować się do jazdy (Please prepare to drive – adjusting the seat, mirrors, seatbelts).
• Proszę sprawdzić działanie świateł (Please check the operation of the lights – pointing out and turning on the appropriate type of lighting).
• Na najbliższym skrzyżowaniu w lewo/prawo (At the next intersection, turn left/right – the maneuver of changing direction).
• Zawracamy z wykorzystaniem infrastruktury (We are making a U-turn using the infrastructure – using e.g., a gate or a lay-by).

What Do People Fail On Most Often in Poland?

• Double solid line: Even a minimal crossing of it while bypassing an obstacle results in the immediate termination of the exam.
• STOP sign and conditional right turn arrow: In Poland, at these signs, the wheels must stop completely (0 km/h). Slowly rolling through is a mistake.
• Pedestrian right of way: A pedestrian stepping onto a crosswalk (even if they are not on it yet but show such an intention) has the absolute right of way. Lack of reaction means the end of the drive.

New Regulations from 2026 – What You Need to Know

The legislator is introducing restrictive changes in 2026 for all freshly minted drivers – regardless of their citizenship.

1. Driving license from the age of 17: 17-year-olds can obtain a license, but until they turn 18, they must drive with a designated guardian (min. 24 years old, 5 years of having a driving license). They can also only drive cars with a power output of up to 70 kW.
2. Probationary period: For the first 2 years after obtaining your license (or 3 years for 17-year-olds), you are subject to a probationary period, and the vehicle must be marked with a "green leaf" sticker.
3. Absolute sobriety (0.0 per mille): Young drivers in the probationary period are strictly prohibited from driving a vehicle with any alcohol concentration.
4. Reduced penalty points limit: During the probationary period, the limit for penalty points is only 12 (the standard in Poland is 24).