Driving licence in Poland: a case of exchanging a Russian licence

The client moved to Wrocław on a work permit. A few months later her insurer told her she could no longer legally drive on her Russian licence. Under Polish rules, a licence from a non-EU country is valid for a limited period after the holder obtains the right of residence; after that it has to be exchanged for a Polish one.

Documents needed for the exchange

The application is filed with the transport department where you live (wydział komunikacji). You need the application form, a photo, passport, residence document, the Russian licence itself and its translation into Polish by a sworn translator (tłumacz przysięgły). A Russian notarised translation is not accepted — a common mistake by people who prepare documents before the move.

Everything on both sides of the card is translated, including categories, the dates they were obtained and any special codes. If the licence carries, say, a vision restriction code, it must appear in the translation — the Polish licence will be issued with the same restriction.

Where the delay comes from

The Polish authority may ask the issuing country to confirm that the licence is genuine. For Russian licences this check can take months. In our client's case the request went to Russia and the answer took a long time. A certificate from the Russian traffic police about the issued licence can sometimes speed things up if the office agrees to accept it instead of an official request — this must be checked in advance.

Our advice

Start the exchange as soon as you get your residence permit, not in the last month. Have the licence translated by a Polish sworn translator. Keep a copy of the Russian licence: it is taken away on exchange. And do not let the deadline slip — in some cases the Polish office sends the applicant to sit the theory test, which adds several weeks.