How to Exchange a Ukrainian Driving Licence for a Polish One in 2026

A Ukrainian driving licence is exchanged for a Polish one without exams in most cases: after 185 days of residence in Poland you may use the foreign licence for another 6 months, then the exchange through the wydział komunikacji of your local office becomes mandatory. Below is the step-by-step procedure, the documents and the timelines. Important: only the Polish state authority issues driving licences; USPI Work and Documents (Bydgoszcz, KRAZ 34438) helps prepare the documents and guides you through the procedure.

When the exchange becomes mandatory

The obligation applies to people who have their place of residence in Poland — that is, who stay in the country at least 185 days in a calendar year (work, residence card, PESEL with registration). From that moment the Ukrainian licence remains valid for driving for 6 months; after that you need a Polish licence to drive.

Step-by-step procedure

  1. Sworn translation of the licence. The Ukrainian licence must be translated by a tłumacz przysięgły (a sworn translator listed in the register of the Polish Ministry of Justice). An ordinary translation is not accepted.
  2. Document set: application (wniosek), a 35×45 mm photo, the valid Ukrainian licence + translation, passport, proof of legal stay (visa / residence card), proof of residence in Poland (e.g. registration/PESEL).
  3. Submission to the office. Documents go to the wydział komunikacji of the city office or starostwo for your place of residence (in Bydgoszcz — Urząd Miasta Bydgoszczy). The state fee is paid by the applicant; the current amount is on gov.pl.
  4. Verification. The office may send a request to the authority that issued the licence to confirm it is genuine. This is the longest stage and it defines the overall timeline.
  5. Issuance of the Polish licence. The Ukrainian licence is handed over at this point — it is sent back to the issuing authority.

Exam: needed or not

Ukraine is a party to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, so Ukrainian category B licences (and most other categories) are exchanged without theory or practical exams. An exam may be required in specific cases (for example, when the licence cannot be verified). The final decision always belongs to the office.

What USPI does — and what the state authority does

  • USPI: arranges the sworn translation, checks and prepares the document set, fills in the application, books the appointment and accompanies you in Polish until the decision. These are consulting and organisational services. Details — on the service page Replacement of driver’s licence.
  • The office: accepts the application, verifies the documents, makes the decision and issues the Polish licence. Neither the decision nor the office’s timeline can be influenced.

Related topics

Reviewed: September 2026. The rules are set by Polish law; check current requirements on gov.pl and at your local office.