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Krakow is one of Poland’s largest cities and one of the most popular destinations for Ukrainians. Many residents need to exchange their Ukrainian driver’s licenses for Polish ones through the local authorities. However, there is one important detail to be aware of: the department responsible for driver’s licenses in Krakow has a different name than its counterparts in many other Polish cities.
Work Permit provides assistance with a wide range of driver’s license matters in Krakow, from standard exchanges to more complicated cases involving older licenses or document verification. If you want to prepare for the process without unnecessary visits or mistakes, book a free consultation.
From Document Checks to Your New License
Where to Apply for a Driver’s License Exchange in Krakow
In Krakow, driver’s license matters are handled by the Wydział Ewidencji Pojazdów i Kierowców Urzędu Miasta Krakowa (Vehicle and Driver Registration Department of Krakow City Hall), specifically its Referat Praw Jazdy (Driver’s License Section). Knowing which department is responsible will help you contact the right office from the start.
Since July 1, 2024, applications for the exchange of foreign driver’s licenses in Krakow have been accepted at only one location:
- Referat Praw Jazdy — al. Powstania Warszawskiego 10, 31-541 Kraków. Centrum Administracyjne, first floor (I piętro), service desks 65–69.
This is where you need to apply to exchange your Ukrainian driver’s license for a Polish one.
Other city administration offices, including the location at ul. Stawowa 61, may provide different services related to driver’s licenses. However, under the current application arrangements, foreign license exchange applications are accepted exclusively at al. Powstania Warszawskiego 10.
The responsible authority is determined by the applicant’s place of residence. If you live in Krakow, you should contact the city administration. If you live outside the city limits, you will need to identify the appropriate county office (starostwo) for your area.
Foreign nationals must also provide evidence that they reside within the Municipality of Krakow (Gmina Miejska Kraków). Registered residence (meldunek) alone may not always be sufficient, while not having a meldunek does not necessarily prevent you from applying. Depending on your circumstances, additional documents confirming where you actually live may be required.
What Documents Are Required to Exchange a Driver’s License in Krakow?
To exchange your driver’s license for a Polish one, you need to prepare the documents required under Polish law and by the relevant Krakow authority.
The standard application package usually includes:
- A completed application for the exchange of a foreign driver’s license (wniosek o wymianę prawa jazdy). You can obtain the form at the office or download it from the official website.
- Your original Ukrainian driver’s license for inspection.
- A copy of your Ukrainian driver’s license.
- A certified translation of your license into Polish, if required by the authority.
- A recent color photograph measuring 35 × 45 mm that meets Polish official requirements.
- Proof of payment of the PLN 100 fee for issuing a Polish driver’s license.
- A passport or another valid identity document.
- A document confirming your legal stay in Poland, if required.
- Documents confirming your residence in Krakow.
- Any additional documents or explanations requested by the authority based on the circumstances of your case.
Whether a certified translation is necessary depends on the characteristics of your license and the applicable regulations. Before ordering a translation, it is worth checking the specific requirements for your Ukrainian document with Referat Praw Jazdy.
If your license has expired, additional documents may be required, including a medical certificate. A psychological assessment may also be necessary for certain vehicle categories.
To receive your Polish license, you must surrender your original foreign license in accordance with the applicable procedure. However, this does not necessarily mean that the original will be collected when you first submit your application.
How Is the Authenticity of a Driver’s License Verified in Krakow?
Before issuing a Polish driver’s license, the Krakow authority verifies the necessary information about your Ukrainian document. This may include checking its validity, authenticity, and the holder’s personal details.
The legal basis for exchanging foreign driver’s licenses is established by the Polish Act on Drivers (Ustawa o kierujących pojazdami) and its implementing regulations. General administrative procedures, including the time limits for handling cases, are governed by the Code of Administrative Procedure (Kodeks postępowania administracyjnego, KPA).
Depending on the circumstances, verification may be carried out in several ways:
- The Polish authority initiates verification. If the information on a foreign driver’s license needs to be confirmed, the office may send an official request to the relevant Ukrainian authorities. Waiting for a response can extend the overall processing time.
- The applicant obtains confirmation independently. The license holder may contact the Main Service Center or a regional service center of the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), including remotely, and request official confirmation that the license was issued.
However, confirmation obtained independently does not always replace the verification carried out by the Polish authority. Before requesting such a document, you should check whether Referat Praw Jazdy will accept it and whether the information provided will be sufficient.
Older driver’s licenses can present particular challenges, especially when their details are not available in the Ukrainian MIA’s electronic records. However, the fact that a license does not appear in an online database does not automatically mean it is invalid.
How Long Does It Take to Exchange a Ukrainian Driver’s License in Krakow?
The overall time required to exchange a Ukrainian driver’s license for a Polish one depends on whether your documents are complete, whether additional verification is necessary, and how long it takes to receive confirmation from the Ukrainian authorities.
According to the nationwide guidance published on Gov.pl, once the foreign license details have been verified and the required fee has been paid, a Polish driver’s license is usually produced within nine working days.
However, this timeframe does not cover the entire process if the authority needs to carry out additional checks on the foreign license. Such verification can take several weeks or longer.
For this reason, it is not possible to guarantee that your Polish driver’s license will be ready within a specific number of days.
| Situation | What Affects Processing Time |
|---|---|
| A modern driver’s license with details available for verification | How quickly the information can be confirmed and the Polish license produced |
| The applicant has official confirmation from the Ukrainian MIA | Whether the Polish authority considers the submitted documentation sufficient |
| An older driver’s license requiring additional verification | Whether the relevant Ukrainian authorities can confirm the license details |
| License details are missing from the electronic register | The need for additional inquiries or checks of archived records |
| The authority has issued a formal request for additional documents (wezwanie) | The time needed to submit the requested documents or explanations and complete further checks |
If the authority requires additional information, you may receive a formal notice (wezwanie). It is important to read it carefully and provide everything requested within the specified deadline.
Once your Polish driver’s license has been produced, you can check its status through official services, including info-car.pl.
Where Can You Exchange or Replace a Ukrainian Driver’s License in Krakow Without Traveling to Ukraine?
If your Ukrainian driver’s license has expired, been damaged, lost, or stolen, you can check whether you are eligible to obtain a new Ukrainian document through the Ukrainian State Enterprise Document (DP Document).
It is important not to confuse this service with exchanging a Ukrainian driver’s license for a Polish one. DP Document issues a new Ukrainian driver’s license, while Referat Praw Jazdy in Krakow handles exchanges for Polish licenses.
A service for exchanging and replacing lost Ukrainian driver’s licenses was introduced at the DP Document service center in Krakow, located in Galeria Krakowska. According to published information, the center is on the second floor, with access from the parking area in Sector C.
As locations, service availability, and appointment procedures may change, you should check the official DP Document website for up-to-date information before visiting.
In some cases, you may also be able to exchange or replace your Ukrainian driver’s license through the Ukrainian MIA’s online services, with international delivery available. Eligibility depends on the type of license, whether its details are available in the relevant registers, and the conditions of the service.
Driver’s License Assistance in Krakow From Work Permit
Exchanging a Ukrainian driver’s license for a Polish one in Krakow requires careful document preparation and an understanding of the local authority’s requirements. Application errors, missing documents, or additional verification requests can delay the process.
Work Permit assists clients at different stages of the procedure:
- Residency Status Assessment. We’ll determine whether you are required to exchange your Ukrainian driver’s license and which regulations apply to your circumstances.
- Document Preparation. We’ll help you put together the required documents in accordance with the Krakow Referat Praw Jazdy requirements.
- Verification Through the Ukrainian MIA. If necessary, we’ll help you prepare a request to the relevant Ukrainian authority and obtain an official response.
- Certified Translation. We’ll explain when a translation is required and help arrange it.
- Responding to a Formal Request (Wezwanie). We’ll help prepare the necessary documents or explanations if the authority requests additional information.
- Complex and Unusual Cases. We’ll assist with older licenses, surname changes, missing database records, and delays in document verification.
If your license exchange application has already been refused, it is important to review the reasons for the decision and the applicable appeal deadlines. Where permitted, decisions made by Polish authorities can be appealed under administrative law.
Our goal is to help you prepare properly, avoid common mistakes, and take the right steps throughout the process of obtaining your Polish driver’s license.
Work Permit Supports You Every Step
