If you have moved to Poland and plan to drive, your foreign driving licence must be exchanged for a Polish prawo jazdy at the urząd komunikacyjny. Documents not in Polish require sworn translation. Below — the 6-month rule, the Ukraine agreement, medical certificate requirements and a step-by-step guide.
Regular translation without a sworn translator seal will be returned by the urząd komunikacyjny without review — you will need to order sworn translation again.
QuoteBefore submission, compare categories, issue date and names in the translation with the original prawa jazdy — transliteration mismatches are the most common reason for rejection.
LEGIX Team
When is licence exchange and sworn translation required?
Exchange and translation are required if you permanently live in Poland and your licence was not issued by a Polish authority.
6-month rule: after meldunek you have 6 months to exchange your foreign prawa jazdy.
185-day rule: if you are a resident in Poland for more than 185 days per year, exchange is mandatory.
Urząd komunikacyjny (Starostwo Powiatowe): accepts wymiana prawa jazdy applications — all non-Polish documents require sworn translation.
Ukraine–Poland agreement: Ukrainian licences of categories B and above are exchanged without an exam — sworn translation is still mandatory.
Renewal or replacement: separate procedure, sometimes with a medical certificate.
Temporary stay up to 185 days: exchange not required.
Which documents are needed for exchange
The wymiana prawa jazdy package includes several documents — confirm the list in your powiat.
Prawo jazdy (original): valid foreign driving licence.
Sworn translation of prawa jazdy: both sides, categories, dates into Polish.
Meldunek or proof of address.
Dowód osobisty or passport.
Photo in the required format.
Orzeczenie lekarskie (medical certificate): for categories C, D, E — sworn translation if not in Polish.
Wniosek o wymianę prawa jazdy: application at the office.
Translation requirements
The urząd komunikacyjny accepts only sworn translation into Polish with an MS register seal.
Full translation: both sides, all categories, dates, restrictions — no summaries.
Data accuracy: names, date of birth, document number must match the original.
Validity: exchange on a valid licence.
Medical certificate: orzeczenie lekarskie must be valid; sworn translation if not in Polish.
Language pair: Ukrainian → Polish for Ukrainian licences.
Scan quality matters for turnaround time.
What happens if you fail to exchange or the translation is wrong?
Fine for driving without a valid prawa jazdy after the 6-month deadline.
Office rejection: incomplete or regular translation will be returned.
Insurance issues in case of an accident.
Extra costs: re-translation, new medical certificate, courier.
Step-by-step guide
Step 1. Check the 6-month rule and your deadline.
Step 2. Confirm the document list at the urząd komunikacyjny.
Step 3. Send scans of prawa jazdy — pricing and turnaround (usually 24–48 hours).
Step 4. Receive sworn translation with seal.
Step 5. If needed, obtain orzeczenie lekarskie and translate it.
Step 6. Submit the full package at the urząd komunikacyjny.
Step 7. Collect your Polish prawa jazdy — usually 2–4 weeks.
Cost and turnaround
Sworn translation of prawa jazdy: from 161 PLN. Exact pricing after scans — see price list.
Standard translation turnaround: 24–48 hours. Express available on request.
Office processing: usually 2–4 weeks.
Government fee for wymiana — separately at starostwo.
Pre-submission checklist: (1) sworn translation with seal; (2) both sides translated; (3) names match; (4) licence valid; (5) meldunek and medical certificate if required.
FAQ
After meldunek you have 6 months to exchange your foreign prawa jazdy. After that you cannot drive on a foreign licence.