Foreigners can obtain a Polish driving licence if they meet the age requirement and can prove that Poland is their normal place of residence.
For a standard Category B driving licence, you must obtain a medical certificate, create a PKK profile, complete driving training and pass the theory and practical exams at a WORD examination centre.
👤 Can a foreigner get a driving licence in Poland?
Yes. A foreigner can apply if they:
- Meet the minimum age for the selected licence category
- Normally live in Poland for at least 185 days in a calendar year
- Can prove their identity and legal residence in Poland
- Receive a medical certificate confirming that they are fit to drive
Foreign students may also be asked to provide a certificate confirming that they have studied in Poland for at least 6 months.
🔞 Minimum age by licence category
| Category | Main vehicle type | Minimum age |
|---|---|---|
| AM | Moped and light quadricycle | 14 |
| A1 | Motorcycle up to 125 cm³ and 11 kW | 16 |
| A2 | Motorcycle up to 35 kW | 18 |
| A | Any motorcycle | 20 after holding A2 for 2 years, otherwise 24 |
| B1 | Heavy quadricycle | 16 |
| B | Passenger car up to 3500 kg | 17 under special rules, otherwise 18 |
| B+E | Category B vehicle with a larger trailer | 18 |
| C1 and C1+E | Medium truck and trailer | 18 |
| C and C+E | Truck and trailer | 21 |
| D1 and D1+E | Small bus and trailer | 21 |
| D and D+E | Bus and trailer | 24 |
| T | Agricultural tractor | 16 |
A person who obtains Category B at age 17 is subject to additional rules. Until turning 18, the licence is valid only in Poland and driving must take place with an experienced accompanying driver during the required period.
🔢 Step-by-step guide
- Complete a medical examination with an authorised doctor
- Prepare the required documents and obtain a PKK number
- Choose a driving school and complete the required training
- Pass the state theory exam at WORD
- Pass the state practical exam at WORD
- Pay the driving licence issuance fee
- Collect the completed driving licence
🩺 Step 1 – Complete the medical examination
Before obtaining a PKK number, visit a doctor authorised to examine drivers. Driving schools often cooperate with such doctors and can arrange the appointment.
The examination normally checks:
- Eyesight and the need to use glasses or contact lenses
- Hearing
- Balance and coordination
- General health and chronic conditions
- Medicines that may affect driving ability
Bring your glasses, contact lenses or hearing aid if you use them. The standard examination for a Category B candidate usually costs 200 PLN.
🪪 Step 2 – Get a PKK number
PKK (Profil Kandydata na Kierowcę) is the electronic driver candidate profile used by the driving school, WORD and the local authority.
Apply at:
- Starostwo Powiatowe if you live in a county
- Urząd Miasta if you live in a city with county rights
- Urząd Dzielnicy responsible for your address if you live in Warsaw
The PKK is free. It is often issued immediately or within 2 business days. Complicated cases may take longer if the office must verify your residence or documents.
📑 Documents required for PKK
- Completed application for a driving licence
- Valid passport or residence card
- Document confirming legal residence and normal residence in Poland
- Current biometric photo measuring 35 × 45 mm
- Medical certificate confirming fitness to drive
- Copy of an existing driving licence if applying for another category
- Written consent from a parent or legal guardian if required because of age
- Psychological certificate for selected professional categories such as C or D
The office may request additional proof of your address, visa, residence status, employment or studies.
🚘 Step 3 – Complete the driving course
Take your PKK number to a registered driving school called an Ośrodek Szkolenia Kierowców (OSK).
A standard Category B course normally includes:
- 30 academic hours of theory
- 30 clock hours of practical driving
- First-aid training
- Internal theory and practical checks organised by the school
You may prepare for the state theory exam independently. After passing theory at WORD, you can register for the practical course without attending the full theory course at a driving school.
Category B courses usually cost around 3700–6200 PLN in 2026. Prices depend on the city, school, vehicle, language and whether the course is standard or intensive.
🧠 Step 4 – Pass the theory exam
The state exams are organised by a Wojewódzki Ośrodek Ruchu Drogowego (WORD). Registration is normally available directly at WORD or online through Info-Car.
- The exam lasts 25 minutes
- It contains 20 basic questions and 12 category-specific questions
- The maximum score is 74 points
- You need at least 68 points to pass
- You cannot return to a previous question
The theory exam is commonly available in Polish, English and German. Check the language options with your local WORD before booking.
The fee is set by the voivodeship and is usually around 57–59 PLN. A passed theory exam is valid indefinitely under the current rules.
🛣️ Step 5 – Pass the practical exam
After completing the practical course and passing theory, book the practical examination at WORD.
For Category B, the examiner normally checks:
- Basic vehicle safety checks
- Correct preparation of the seat, mirrors and safety belt
- Starting, stopping and manoeuvres on the examination yard
- Driving in normal city traffic
- Parking, turning, changing lanes and following road signs
The Category B practical exam usually costs around 230–239 PLN, depending on the voivodeship.
⛔ Mistakes that may end the practical exam
- Driving through a red light
- Failing to give way to a pedestrian or another vehicle
- Exceeding the speed limit in a dangerous way
- Crossing a solid line where prohibited
- Ignoring a STOP sign or traffic officer
- Causing a collision or a serious danger to road users
- Losing control of the vehicle
The practical examination is recorded. The recording can be reviewed when a complaint concerning the examination result is submitted.
⚙️ Driving licence for an automatic car
You can complete the course and practical exam in a car with an automatic gearbox.
Your driving licence will contain restriction code 78. This means you may drive only vehicles with automatic transmission.
To drive a manual car later, you must pass the required practical examination in a manual vehicle and have the restriction removed.
🔁 What happens if you fail?
You can book another examination after paying the exam fee again.
- If you fail theory, book and pay for another theory exam
- If you fail practice, book and pay for another practical exam
- You may purchase additional driving lessons before the next attempt
- Your passed theory result does not expire under the current rules
⚖️ How to appeal an exam result
If you believe that the practical exam was conducted incorrectly, you can submit a written complaint to the director of the WORD where the examination took place.
- Submit the complaint within 14 days from the exam date
- Describe the disputed situation and the examiner’s actions in detail
- Request access to the video recording if it supports your complaint
- Submit the complaint in person or send it by registered mail
The WORD director forwards the complaint and documentation to the competent Marshal’s Office for review.
🪪 Step 6 – Receive your driving licence
After you pass the practical exam, WORD sends the result electronically to the office that created your PKK.
- Pay the driving licence issuance fee of approximately 100 PLN
- Send or deliver the payment confirmation to the office if required
- Check the document status through Info-Car
- Collect the licence at the office or receive it by post if this option was selected
The document is usually ready within 9 business days after the office receives the exam result and confirms the payment.
Do not drive until you have a valid driving licence document or another officially recognised digital confirmation of your entitlement.
💰 Average cost of a Category B licence
| Expense | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Biometric photo | 30–70 PLN |
| Medical examination | 200 PLN |
| Driving course | 3700–6200 PLN |
| Theory exam | 57–59 PLN |
| Practical exam | 230–239 PLN |
| Driving licence issuance | About 100 PLN |
| Estimated total | 4300–6900 PLN |
The total can be higher if you need extra driving lessons or repeat either state exam.