Getting a Polish driving license as a foreigner can feel overwhelming — between unfamiliar bureaucracy, Polish-language documents, and a multi-step process, it's easy to get lost. This comprehensive A-to-Z guide breaks down every step of the process for first-time applicants living in Poland, covering everything from the initial medical examination to collecting your brand-new EU driving license.
Whether you're applying for a category B license (cars), category A (motorcycles), or any other category, this guide covers the complete process as of 2025–2026.
Before You Start: Eligibility Requirements
Before you can begin the licensing process, you must meet these requirements:
- Minimum age: 18 for category B (cars), 16 for categories AM and T, 24 for category A (unrestricted motorcycles)
- Legal residence in Poland: You must have resided in Poland for at least 185 days within the past 12 months
- Valid residence documentation: Residence card (karta pobytu), valid visa, or residence permit
- PESEL number: The Polish personal identification number assigned to all residents
- Address registration (zameldowanie): Proof of registered residence in Poland
If you already hold a valid driving license from another country, you may be eligible for a simpler exchange process instead. Check our guides on converting foreign licenses for more information.
Step 1: Medical Examination (Badanie Lekarskie)
The first official step is getting a medical certificate confirming your fitness to drive.
What It Involves
The medical examination is conducted by an occupational medicine doctor (lekarz medycyny pracy) or a doctor authorized to conduct driver fitness assessments. The examination covers:
- Vision testing (acuity, color perception, field of vision)
- Hearing assessment
- Motor skills and reflexes
- Mental and psychological fitness
- Check for chronic conditions that could affect driving (epilepsy, diabetes, cardiovascular issues)
Where to Go
Search for "badania lekarskie kierowców" (driver medical examinations) in your city. Most occupational health clinics offer this service. In larger cities, you can often walk in without an appointment.
Cost
100–200 PLN depending on the clinic. The examination usually takes 15–30 minutes.
Certificate Validity
The medical certificate is valid for 15 years for regular drivers (categories AM, A, B, T) and 5 years for professional drivers (categories C, D).
Additional Requirement for C and D Categories
If you're applying for truck (C) or bus (D) categories, you also need a psychological assessment (badanie psychologiczne), which tests reaction time, concentration, and stress tolerance. This costs an additional 100–150 PLN.
Step 2: Create Your PKK (Driver Candidate Profile)
The PKK (Profil Kandydata na Kierowcę) is an electronic profile that tracks your entire licensing journey — from course enrollment through exam results to license issuance. You cannot begin training or register for exams without a PKK number.
Where to Apply
Visit the Transport Department (Wydział Komunikacji) at your local:
- City Hall (Urząd Miasta)
- District Office (Urząd Dzielnicy in Warsaw)
- County Office (Starostwo Powiatowe)
Some cities also allow online application through the esp.pwpw.pl or gov.pl portal using a Trusted Profile (Profil Zaufany).
Required Documents
- Completed PKK application form
- Medical certificate (from Step 1)
- Valid passport or ID
- Color photograph (35 × 45 mm, taken within the last 6 months)
- Proof of legal stay (residence card, visa)
- Proof of address (zameldowanie or rental agreement)
- PESEL number
- Parental consent (if under 18)
Cost and Processing
Creating a PKK is free of charge. The profile is usually generated within 2 working days after document verification. For foreigners, the verification may take slightly longer if the office needs to confirm residence details.
Checking Your PKK Status
You can check whether your PKK has been created at info-car.pl under the "Driving License" section.
Step 3: Enroll in a Driving School (Ośrodek Szkolenia Kierowców)
In Poland, attending an approved driving school is mandatory by law for first-time applicants. You cannot simply study on your own and show up for the exam.
What to Look For
- The school must be registered and approved by the regional transport authority
- Some schools in larger cities offer instruction in English — ask before enrolling
- Check reviews on Google Maps and forums for quality ratings
- Compare prices — they vary significantly by city
What You Need to Enroll
Provide your PKK number to the driving school. They will register your course in the PKK system, which links your training progress to your profile.
Driving School Costs by City (Category B, 2025–2026)
| City | Average Cost (PLN) |
|---|---|
| Warsaw | 4,000–4,900 |
| Kraków | 4,000–4,500 |
| Gdańsk | 3,800–4,200 |
| Wrocław | 3,600–4,000 |
| Katowice | 3,200–3,600 |
| Opole | 3,190–3,400 |
Step 4: Complete the Theory Course (30 Hours)
The mandatory theory course consists of minimum 30 hours of lectures for category B. Topics include:
- Polish traffic regulations and road law
- Road signs and road markings
- Right-of-way rules
- Vehicle operation and maintenance basics
- First aid procedures
- Road safety and accident prevention
- Environmental driving practices
Since 2023, the theory course can be completed online (e-learning) in addition to traditional classroom formats. Many driving schools offer both options. The online format is particularly convenient for foreigners who may need more time with the material.
Step 5: Complete the First Aid Course
A first aid course (kurs pierwszej pomocy) is mandatory for all first-time license applicants in categories A1, A2, A, B1, B, and T. The course covers:
- CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
- Recovery position
- Wound treatment and bleeding control
- Emergency response at accident scenes
- When and how to call emergency services (112)
Duration: minimum 4 hours. This is typically included in the driving school curriculum at no additional charge. The course must be completed before you can register for the WORD exam, but it does not have to be done before starting practical driving lessons — the scheduling is flexible.
Step 6: Practical Driving Lessons (30 Hours)
The practical driving course consists of minimum 30 hours of behind-the-wheel training for category B. Training is divided into two phases:
Phase 1: Maneuvering Ground (Plac Manewrowy)
You'll practice essential maneuvers on a dedicated training area:
- Parallel parking
- Perpendicular parking
- Garage entry and exit
- Figure-8 driving
- Hill start
- Three-point turn
- Emergency stop
Phase 2: Road Driving
You'll drive in real traffic conditions, progressively advancing from quiet residential streets to busy urban roads and highways. Your instructor will sit beside you with dual controls.
Additional Lessons
Many students need more than the minimum 30 hours to feel confident. Additional lessons typically cost ~150 PLN per hour. Most instructors recommend 5–10 extra hours for complete beginners.
Step 7: Pass the Theory Exam at WORD
Once you've completed the theory course, you can register for the official theory exam at a WORD center (Wojewódzki Ośrodek Ruchu Drogowego — Regional Road Traffic Center).
Registering for the Exam
- Register online at info-car.pl or directly at your nearest WORD center
- You need your PKK number to register
- Select your preferred language: Polish, English, or German
- English exams are available at most WORD centers in major cities
Exam Structure (Category B)
| Section | Questions | Format | Time Per Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1: Basic Knowledge | 20 questions | YES / NO | 20 sec read + 15 sec answer |
| Part 2: Specialized Knowledge | 12 questions | Choose A, B, or C | 50 sec total |
Scoring
- Maximum score: 74 points
- Passing score: 68 points (approximately 92%)
- Questions are weighted by road safety importance (1, 2, or 3 points each)
- You cannot go back to previous questions once answered
Exam Fee
50 PLN per attempt. Unlimited retakes are permitted, each at the full fee.
Preparation
The Polish driving theory exam has a high passing threshold (92%), so thorough preparation is essential. Use OKDrive.pl to practice all official WORD exam questions in English and 25+ other languages. The questions on OKDrive.pl are the exact same questions used in the real exam, including image-based and video-based scenarios.
Result Validity
Your theory exam pass is valid for 6 months. You must pass the practical exam within this period, or you'll need to retake the theory.
Step 8: Pass the Practical Exam at WORD
After passing the theory, schedule your practical driving exam at the same WORD center.
Exam Structure
The practical exam has two parts:
Part 1: Maneuvering Ground
- Vehicle preparation checks (mirrors, seatbelt, lights, fluids)
- 2–3 maneuvers selected by the examiner (parking, turns, hill start)
- Each maneuver can be attempted twice; two failures = overall fail
Part 2: Road Driving
- Driving in real traffic following the examiner's instructions
- Duration: approximately 40 minutes
- Routes through urban streets, intersections, roundabouts
- Any dangerous behavior results in immediate failure
Exam Fee
200–230 PLN for category B (varies by WORD center).
Retakes
If you fail, you must wait minimum 14 days before rebooking. Unlimited retakes are allowed, each at the full fee.
Step 9: Collect Your Polish Driving License
After passing both exams, your results are automatically recorded in your PKK profile. The license production process begins:
- Return to the Wydział Komunikacji where you created your PKK
- Pay the license issuance fee: 100 PLN (expected to rise to 115.50 PLN in 2026)
- The license card is produced by PWPW (Polish Security Printing Works)
- Processing takes 2–3 weeks
- Collect your license in person (bring your ID)
Your new Polish driving license is a standard EU-format license, valid throughout all 27 EU member states, EEA countries, and Switzerland.
Complete Cost Breakdown (Category B)
| Item | Cost (PLN) |
|---|---|
| Medical examination | 100–200 |
| Biometric photograph | 20–50 |
| PKK registration | Free |
| Driving school (course) | 3,190–4,900 |
| First aid course | Included in school |
| Theory exam (WORD) | 50 |
| Practical exam (WORD) | 200–230 |
| License issuance | 100 |
| Total (first attempt) | 3,660–5,530 PLN |
Additional costs if needed: extra driving lessons (~150 PLN/hour), exam retakes (50 PLN theory, 200+ PLN practical).
All License Categories at a Glance
| Category | Min Age | What You Can Drive |
|---|---|---|
| AM | 14 | Mopeds, light quadricycles (up to 50cc / 45 km/h) |
| A1 | 16 | Light motorcycles (up to 125cc, 11 kW) |
| A2 | 18 | Medium motorcycles (up to 35 kW) |
| A | 24 | All motorcycles (any power) |
| B1 | 16 | Heavy quadricycles |
| B | 18 | Cars up to 3.5 tonnes + light trailer |
| B+E | 18 | Car with heavy trailer (over 750 kg) |
| C1 | 18 | Trucks 3.5–7.5 tonnes |
| C | 21 | Trucks over 3.5 tonnes |
| C+E | 21 | Truck with trailer |
| D1 | 21 | Minibuses (up to 17 seats) |
| D | 24 | Full-size buses |
| T | 16 | Agricultural tractors |
Timeline: How Long Does It Take?
| Phase | Duration |
|---|---|
| Medical exam + PKK creation | 1–2 weeks |
| Theory course | 2–4 weeks |
| Theory exam at WORD | 1–2 weeks |
| Practical driving lessons | 4–8 weeks |
| Practical exam at WORD | 1–3 weeks |
| License production | 2–3 weeks |
| Total | 2–4 months |
Upcoming Changes in 2026
Several changes are planned or being discussed for the Polish driving license system:
- License from age 17: Legislation is being prepared to allow category B licensing from age 17 with parental consent. During the first 6 months (or until age 18), an adult supervisor would be required in the vehicle.
- Probationary period: New drivers may face a 2-year probationary period with zero alcohol tolerance and stricter penalty point rules.
- Fee increase: The license issuance fee is expected to rise from 100 PLN to 115.50 PLN — the first increase in approximately 13 years.
Tips for Success
- Practice the theory obsessively — The 92% passing threshold means you can only miss a few points. Use OKDrive.pl to practice until you consistently score above 90%
- Choose the right driving school — Ask about English-speaking instructors and read reviews
- Don't rush the practical lessons — If you need more than 30 hours, invest in extra lessons. It's cheaper than retaking the exam
- Learn Polish road signs — Even if you take the exam in English, signs on the road are in Polish
- Book exams in advance — WORD centers can have wait times of 2–4 weeks, especially in large cities
- Study Polish-specific rules — Some rules differ from other countries (e.g., headlights on 24/7, tram priority rules, right-of-way at unmarked intersections)
Conclusion
Getting a Polish driving license as a foreigner is a structured but manageable process. The key is to plan ahead, allow sufficient time for each step, and prepare thoroughly for the theory exam. The entire process typically takes 2–4 months and costs 3,600–5,500 PLN for a category B license.
The Polish driving license you receive is a full EU-format license, giving you the freedom to drive across all of Europe. Start your journey today by creating a free account on OKDrive.pl and practicing the official WORD exam questions in your language.