If you are a Ukrainian citizen living in Poland, exchanging your driving licence is one of the simplest paperwork tasks you'll face here. Two things work in your favour: Ukraine is a party to the 1968 Vienna Convention, so the exchange requires no exams at all, and under special EU rules your Ukrainian licence is recognised while you hold temporary protection. This 2026 guide covers when you need to exchange, the documents, the step-by-step process, costs and timelines.
Do you even need to exchange your licence?
Not always — at least not immediately. Under temporary EU rules, driving licences issued by Ukraine are recognised across the EU for the whole duration of temporary protection. While your protection is valid you can drive on your Ukrainian licence without an International Driving Permit or a certified translation. In Poland, temporary protection (UKR status) has been extended to 4 March 2027, so holders can generally keep using a valid Ukrainian licence until then.
You should exchange for a Polish licence when:
- You are settling long-term (in practice, residence of at least 185 days in a year), or
- You want a permanent, EU-format licence that stays valid regardless of temporary-protection deadlines and is recognised across all 27 EU states, or
- Your Ukrainian licence is close to expiring.
The big advantage: no exams
Because Ukraine ratified the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, a Ukrainian licence qualifies for a straightforward administrative exchange:
- No theory exam — you do not sit the Polish WORD theory test
- No practical exam — no behind-the-wheel test
- It's a document process, not a testing process
This is a genuine advantage over applicants from non-Vienna countries (such as India or Bangladesh), who must pass the Polish theory exam first.
Required documents
- Completed application form for issuing a driving licence (wniosek o wydanie prawa jazdy)
- Your original valid Ukrainian licence (retained during the procedure) plus a copy
- A sworn Polish translation of the licence by a certified translator (tłumacz przysięgły)
- A colour photo, 35 × 45 mm, to Polish specifications
- Proof of legal stay and registration in Poland (residence document and PESEL / PESEL UKR)
Note: while temporary protection means you don't need a translation just to drive, a sworn translation is still required to exchange the licence.
Step-by-step process
- Get a sworn Polish translation of your Ukrainian licence
- Take a compliant 35 × 45 mm photo
- Submit your application and documents at the Wydział Komunikacji (Transport Department) at your Urząd Miasta or Starostwo Powiatowe
- The office sends a verification request to the Ukrainian authorities confirming your licence is genuine and valid
- Once verified, your Polish licence is produced — you'll be notified when to collect it
- Collect your Polish licence and surrender the Ukrainian original
Costs
| Item | Cost (PLN) |
|---|---|
| Licence issuance fee (2026) | ~115.50 |
| Sworn translation | 50–150 |
| Consular verification (request to Ukraine) | ~125 |
| Passport photo (35 × 45 mm) | 20–40 |
| Total estimated | ~310–430 PLN |
Processing timeline
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Document preparation (translation, photo) | A few days – 1 week |
| Application submission | 1 day |
| Verification with Ukrainian authorities | Up to ~1–2 months |
| Total end-to-end | ~1–2 months |
Temporary protection and the 4 March 2027 deadline
Temporary protection for people who fled Ukraine has been extended in the EU, and in Poland UKR status and the recognition of Ukrainian driving documents currently run to 4 March 2027. Practical takeaways:
- While your protection is valid, your Ukrainian licence is enough to drive in Poland — no IDP, no translation needed just to drive.
- If you plan to stay long-term, exchanging now gives you a permanent EU licence and avoids a rush before the deadline.
- Deadlines have been extended several times; always check the current date with official sources.
What happens to your Ukrainian licence?
When you collect your Polish licence, you surrender the Ukrainian original — Poland does not allow holding two national licences at once. The document is handled through official channels. If you want a record of your Ukrainian driving history, make copies before you submit it.
Preparing to drive in Poland
You don't need to pass the theory exam to exchange a Ukrainian licence — but Polish road signs and a few local rules (headlights on 24/7, tram priority, right-hand rule at unmarked junctions) are worth a quick refresher so you drive confidently. You can review Polish road signs and rules for free on OKDrive.pl, which also helps if you ever need a licence from scratch (for a new category, or after temporary protection ends).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Ukrainians have to pass an exam to exchange their licence in Poland?
No. Ukraine is a party to the 1968 Vienna Convention, so the exchange is administrative — no theory or practical exam is required.
Do I have to exchange my Ukrainian licence right away?
Not while you hold temporary protection. Ukrainian licences are recognised in the EU for the duration of temporary protection, which in Poland currently runs to 4 March 2027. Exchange makes sense if you're settling long-term or want a permanent EU-format licence.
Do I need a sworn translation?
To drive during temporary protection, no. To exchange the licence for a Polish one, yes — you need a sworn (certified) Polish translation by a registered tłumacz przysięgły.
How much does it cost and how long does it take?
Roughly 310–430 PLN in total (issuance fee, sworn translation, consular verification and photo), and about 1–2 months, mostly due to verification with the Ukrainian authorities.
Will I keep my Ukrainian licence?
No. When you collect your Polish licence you surrender the Ukrainian original, because Poland does not permit holding two national licences at the same time.
Is the Polish licence valid across the EU?
Yes. A Polish licence is an EU-format licence recognised in all 27 EU states, the EEA and Switzerland — a key reason many Ukrainians exchange even though their licence is recognised during temporary protection.
Can I drive in Poland with a Ukrainian licence as a short-term visitor?
Yes. Short-term visitors can drive on a valid Ukrainian licence; the exchange requirement applies to long-term residents (about 185 days a year).
Sources
- European Commission — temporary EU rules on Ukrainian driving documents
- Council of the EU — temporary protection extended
- UNHCR Poland — legal changes from 4 March 2026
- Exchange of a Ukrainian driving licence for a Polish one — rules 2026
- Visit Ukraine — how to exchange a Ukrainian licence in Poland
- Vienna Convention on Road Traffic — contracting parties