Short version: Ukrainians, Belarusians, Russians, Georgians exchange via an administrative procedure with no exam. For licences from the US, India, Australia and most provinces of Canada the rule differs: these countries are not party to the Vienna Convention, and if the office finds the licence is not defined by the conventions or does not match the model, you must sit a theory exam at WORD (Wojewódzki Ośrodek Ruchu Drogowego) - available in Polish, English, German or Ukrainian, 56.98 PLN at WORD Warszawa, 32 questions, pass mark 68 of 74. The UK and the UAE are party to the Convention, so their licences matching the model are exchanged without an exam. There is no practical exam or OSK course in an exchange. About 70 % of foreigners pass on first attempt in Mazowieckie. Full procedure 6-10 weeks.
Who Must Sit WORD
Poland exchanges licences from countries party to the 1968 Vienna Convention without exam, provided the licence matches the Convention model - most EU, CIS, Turkey, the UK (since 2018), the UAE (since 2007).
For other countries the office may require the theory exam at WORD:
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| USA | Not party to Vienna |
| Canada | Not party to Vienna |
| UK (post-Brexit) | Party to Vienna since 2018: licences matching the model need no exam |
| India | Not party to Vienna |
| UAE | Party to Vienna since 2007: exam only if the licence does not match the model |
| Australia | Not party |
| New Zealand | Not party |
| Most of Africa | Not party or with reservations |
Licences from these countries entitle you to drive in Poland for 6 months from the start of permanent or temporary residence. To be issued a Polish licence you sign an oświadczenie that you live in Poland at least 185 days a year and attach a copy of a karta pobytu or visa. Driving after the six months - the fines described in Article 19.
Procedure
Step 1. Sworn translation of the licence.
English / Indian licence translated into Polish - required for PKK. 80-150 PLN. 3-7 days.
Step 2. Medical certificate from an authorised physician - not needed.
No medical certificate is required to exchange a valid licence; it is not on the document list. A medical (up to 200 PLN) comes later, when the Polish licence is due for renewal.
Step 3. File the wniosek; the office creates the PKK, no driving school (OSK) needed.
You file the wniosek o wydanie prawa jazdy with the translation, a copy of the licence (original shown for comparison), a photo and your residence document, and within 2 working days the office generates the profil kandydata na kierowcę (PKK). No course is needed for foreigners with a valid national licence - no theory or practical training in an OSK, and no practical exam.
In Warsaw - about 5-7 OSKs offering English service, optional if you want lessons before the theory. LegalWin recommends specific ones.
Step 4. Book the exam at WORD.
WORD in Warsaw - two exam sites: ul. Odlewnicza 8 (main) and Bemowo, ul. Powstańców Śląskich 127a. Booking at WORD or via info-car.pl with your PKK number.
Cost:
- Theory B (passenger cars) - 56.98 PLN.
- Theory C (trucks) - another 56.98 PLN; theory is sat separately for each category.
Exam available in Polish, English, German or Ukrainian (Ukrainian for categories B, B1, C, C1); there is no Russian version at WORD Warszawa. English is standard in Mazowieckie due to the international airport flow.
Step 5. Prepare for the exam.
Structure:
- 32 questions (20 basic + 12 category-specific).
- 25 minutes.
- Each question weighs 1, 2 or 3 points (74 max).
- Pass mark - 68 of 74.
Topics:
- Road signs and signals (~30 %).
- Polish traffic rules - priority, overtaking, parking, speed (40 %).
- Safety - seatbelts, children, alcohol, medication (15 %).
- Vehicle condition (10 %).
- Reaction in atypical situations (5 %).
Preparation: free online textbook at kierowcytestowi.pl (English demos). Paid - 60-120 PLN for 2-4 weeks of access. Realistic preparation for English speakers - 20-30 hours.
Step 6. Sit the exam.
Arrive at WORD, register, take the test in a computer room. Result - instant. Pass - WORD enters the result in your PKK. Fail - retake after 7 days (additional 56.98 PLN).
Step 7. Back to the office: fee and collection.
After the exam, return to the office where you filed and bring proof of the licence fee - 100 PLN, with no separate charge for the card. The office prepares the document within 9 working days once the issuing country confirms the data; in practice 4-6 weeks. You hand in the foreign licence on collection.
Common Mistakes
1. Assuming no exam is needed. US citizens often rely on the AAA "international driving permit" - a 1-year document valid only with the national licence and not exchangeable. After 6 months residents need the exchange, which for US licences usually means WORD.
2. Booking the exam without a PKK. WORD will not accept entry without it. The office creates it after you file the wniosek; OSK registration is not needed.
3. Sitting the Polish version without Polish. English is everywhere in Mazowieckie. Smaller cities (Płock, Radom) may lack English - Warsaw is the safe bet.
4. Preparing only with UK/US tests. Polish rules differ - roundabout priority, intersection markings, speed limits in residential zones. Use Polish materials.
5. Ignoring seasonality. September-October (post-summer) and April-May - bookings 4-6 weeks out. January-February is open.
Alternatives for Specific Cases
Canadian licences. Certain provinces (Ontario, Quebec, BC) have bilateral agreements - exchange without exam. Verify with the Wydział or a lawyer.
Pre-Brexit UK licences. Issued by 31 December 2020 - valid in Poland for their full term, exchange not required. Later ones are valid for 6 months from the start of residence and are exchanged without an exam if they match the Convention model.
Australian licences. Victoria (VIC) has a bilateral agreement - exchange without exam.
Total Cost
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sworn translation | 80-150 PLN |
| Medical | not needed |
| OSK registration | not needed |
| Preparation materials | 60-120 PLN |
| WORD exam (1 attempt) | 56.98 PLN |
| Possible retake | +56.98 PLN |
| Licence issue fee | 100 PLN |
| Card production | included in the fee |
| LegalWin retainer | from 1,800 PLN |
| With representation | 2,100-2,300 PLN |
When to Engage a Lawyer
Self-handling works if: solid English, time for 6-10 weeks, comfort with office + WORD bureaucracy.
Engage a lawyer if:
- limited time (need a guaranteed 4-6 week pace);
- parallel matters (karta pobytu + licence);
- complex case (old licence, defects, lost original);
- business need - hiring drivers with Polish licences;
- additional categories (C, CE for commercial).
LegalWin's WORD-exam exchange representation - from 1,800 PLN. Includes preparing the wniosek and oświadczenia, filing at the office, WORD booking, Wydział follow-through.
Book a licence-exchange consultation →
This article is informational. Specific requirements depend on the country of issue and document set. For individual matters, please obtain legal advice.
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