Short version: Ukrainians, Belarusians, Russians, Georgians exchange via an administrative procedure with no exam. Citizens of the US, post-Brexit UK, India, the UAE, and most provinces of Canada must sit a theory exam at WORD (Wojewódzki Ośrodek Ruchu Drogowego) — available in Polish or English, 50 PLN, 30 questions, pass mark 68 of 74. About 70 % of foreigners pass on first attempt in Mazowieckie. Full procedure 6–10 weeks.
Who Must Sit WORD
Poland recognises licences from countries party to the 1968 Vienna Convention in full — most EU, CIS, Turkey, Japan, South Korea — without exam.
For other countries — exam at WORD:
| Country | Reason |
|---|---|
| USA | Not party to Vienna |
| Canada | Party but with limited implementation |
| UK (post-Brexit) | EU-equivalent before; third country after |
| India | Not party to Vienna |
| UAE | Not party |
| Australia | Not party |
| New Zealand | Not party |
| Most of Africa | Not party or with reservations |
Citizens of these countries residing in Poland on a karta pobytu for more than 185 days must exchange via the WORD route. Without exchange — the same fines as in Article 19.
Procedure
Step 1. Sworn translation of the licence.
English / Indian licence translated into Polish — required for PKK. 80–150 PLN. 3–7 days.
Step 2. Medical certificate from an authorised physician.
Standard driving-licence medical. About 200 PLN. Valid 5 years.
Step 3. Register with a driving school (OSK) to activate PKK.
Registration with any Ośrodek Szkolenia Kierowców activates the profil kandydata na kierowcę (PKK). No full course needed for foreigners with a valid national licence — exempt from theory and practical training in OSK. Registration takes a day; cost ~100–200 PLN.
In Warsaw — about 5–7 OSKs offering English service. LegalWin recommends specific ones.
Step 4. Book the exam at WORD.
WORD in Warsaw — two centres: WORD Warszawa-Bemowo (main) and WORD Warszawa-Targówek. Booking via info-car.pl.
Cost:
- Theory B (passenger cars) — 50 PLN.
- Theory C (trucks) — 50 PLN additional to B.
Exam available in Polish or English. English is standard in Mazowieckie due to the international airport flow.
Step 5. Prepare for the exam.
Structure:
- 30 questions (20 standard + 10 situational).
- 25 minutes.
- Each question weighs 1, 2 or 3 points (74 max).
- Pass mark — 68 of 74.
Topics:
- Road signs and signals (~30 %).
- Polish traffic rules — priority, overtaking, parking, speed (40 %).
- Safety — seatbelts, children, alcohol, medication (15 %).
- Vehicle condition (10 %).
- Reaction in atypical situations (5 %).
Preparation: free online textbook at kierowcytestowi.pl (English demos). Paid — 60–120 PLN for 2–4 weeks of access. Realistic preparation for English speakers — 20–30 hours.
Step 6. Sit the exam.
Arrive at WORD, register, take the test in a computer room. Result — instant. Pass — receive zaświadczenie. Fail — retake after 7 days (additional 50 PLN).
Step 7. Wniosek at Wydział Komunikacji.
With the zaświadczenie from WORD, file at the Wydział Komunikacji of your meldunek. State fee — 100 PLN + 100 PLN card. New licence in 4–6 weeks.
Common Mistakes
1. Assuming no exam is needed. US citizens often rely on the AAA "international driving permit" — a 1-year tourist document. Residents need WORD.
2. Booking the exam without an active PKK. WORD will not accept entry without it. Activated only through OSK registration.
3. Sitting the Polish version without Polish. English is everywhere in Mazowieckie. Smaller cities (Płock, Radom) may lack English — Warsaw is the safe bet.
4. Preparing only with UK/US tests. Polish rules differ — roundabout priority, intersection markings, speed limits in residential zones. Use Polish materials.
5. Ignoring seasonality. September–October (post-summer) and April–May — bookings 4–6 weeks out. January–February is open.
Alternatives for Specific Cases
Canadian licences. Certain provinces (Ontario, Quebec, BC) have bilateral agreements — exchange without exam. Verify with the Wydział or a lawyer.
Pre-Brexit UK licences. Issued before 1 January 2021 with Polish residency from before that date — special admin exchange right. Apply within 12 months of relocation.
Australian licences. Victoria (VIC) has a bilateral agreement — exchange without exam.
Total Cost
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sworn translation | 80–150 PLN |
| Medical | 200 PLN |
| OSK registration | 100–200 PLN |
| Preparation materials | 60–120 PLN |
| WORD exam (1 attempt) | 50 PLN |
| Possible retake | +50 PLN |
| Wydział Komunikacji wniosek | 100 PLN |
| Card production | 100 PLN |
| LegalWin retainer | from 1,600 PLN |
| With representation | 2,400–2,700 PLN |
When to Engage a Lawyer
Self-handling works if: solid English, time for 6–10 weeks, comfort with OSK + WORD + Wydział bureaucracy.
Engage a lawyer if:
- limited time (need a guaranteed 4–6 week pace);
- parallel matters (karta pobytu + licence);
- complex case (old licence, defects, lost original);
- business need — hiring drivers with Polish licences;
- additional categories (C, CE for commercial).
LegalWin's WORD-exam exchange representation — from 1,600 PLN. Includes OSK registration, medical coordination, WORD booking, Wydział follow-through.
Book a licence-exchange consultation →
This article is informational. Specific requirements depend on the country of issue and document set. For individual matters, please obtain legal advice.
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