Step by step
Getting a Polish driving licence as a foreigner
The process is the same for everyone living in Poland — the hard part is that it is documented in Polish. Here is the whole path in plain English, in the order you will actually do it.
- 01
Medical examination
A licensed traffic-medicine doctor issues the certificate the same day. Costs around [price] PLN.
- 02
Photo and documents
One 35×45 mm photo, your ID or residence card, and your PESEL number if you have one.
- 03
PKK at the city office
The urząd issues your Candidate Driver Profile number. It is valid across Poland.
- 04
Course: theory + 30 hours of driving
The legal minimum for category B. We run the driving part in English in Warsaw.
- 05
Theory exam at WORD
Available in English. 32 questions, 74 points needed out of 74 available.
- 06
Practical exam
Manoeuvring area plus city driving. We take you to Grójec in the car you trained in.
A note on the exam language
The theory exam is officially available in English. For the practical exam, the language of the examiner's instructions depends on the regulations in force on your exam date — we verify the current rules with the exam centre before you book, and we never guess. Either way, we teach you the exact set of Polish commands used during the test, so you recognise every instruction you hear in the car.
Questions expats ask us most
How do I get a Polish driving licence as a foreigner?
Get a medical certificate from a licensed doctor, take a photo that meets the official format, then apply at your city office (urząd) for a PKK number using your PESEL or another accepted ID. With the PKK you can take a course, pass the theory exam and then the practical exam at any WORD centre in Poland.
Do I need a PESEL number to get a PKK?
A PESEL is the standard route. If you do not have one, the city office can issue a PKK based on other identification documents; requirements differ between offices, so we check with your specific urząd before you go.
Can I exchange my non-EU licence instead of taking a course?
Licences issued in countries covered by the Vienna or Geneva conventions can often be exchanged, sometimes after a theory exam. If your country is not covered, you take the full Polish course. We help you check which case applies to you before you spend money on lessons.
How long does the whole process take?
Typically [X weeks] from the medical check to the practical exam, depending on how quickly you complete the course hours and the current waiting times at the exam centre.