Replacing a driving licence in Poland — step-by-step guide
Brief practical guide: who must exchange a licence, where to apply, required documents, fee and processing time.
Who must replace a driving licence If a person resides in Poland for at least 185 days and holds a foreign driving licence, they must exchange it for a Polish driving licence. Licences issued by European Union and EFTA states remain valid in Poland and normally do not require exchange until the 185-day residence rule makes replacement necessary.
Where to submit the application The application is submitted to the authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence: the county administration (starostwo powiatowe), the city authority with county rights (urząd miasta na prawach powiatu) or the Warsaw district office (urząd dzielnicy). The application may be submitted in person or sent by post according to the chosen authority's requirements.
Which documents to prepare The standard set of documents includes a completed application (wniosek), a valid photo, the foreign driving licence and an identity document. For foreign nationals, instead of a national identity card they must provide a passport or a residence permit (karta pobytu) or another document confirming lawful stay in Poland.
The authority may request additional attachments (załącznik) — check the full list on the authority's website and at the office when submitting the application. Payment and processing time The fee for issuing a Polish driving licence is stated as 100 zloty. Payment may be made at the authority's cash desk or transferred to the authority's account with proof of payment.
After verification of the foreign licence data and receipt of payment confirmation, the document is typically produced within nine working days; verification of the foreign document may increase the total waiting time.
Tracking readiness and appeal procedure The readiness of the document can be tracked through official services listed on the central portal; use the contact details you provided in the application to confirm how to track status.
If the authority refuses the exchange, an appeal may be submitted to the local self-government appeals collegiate body within 14 days of receipt of the refusal; the appeal is filed with the same authority that made the refusal decision.
Short final note Before submitting the application we recommend checking current requirements and the list of documents on the chosen authority's website and preparing proof of lawful stay and the original foreign driving licence. We publish general steps and data confirmed from central sources; contact the local office for local details.
