According to official data from the European Commission, Poland currently leads other countries in terms of the number of Ukrainians residing there. In total, there are about one million foreigners with Ukrainian citizenship living there (this is only official information, and in practice the number is much higher). Most of them have their own cars, brought from Ukraine or purchased in Poland. Almost all of them use a driver's license issued in Ukraine to legally drive a vehicle in order to avoid re-registering their documents. However, the election of the new president, Navrotsky, and his policy towards Ukrainian refugees may bring some changes.
However, the arrival of the new president, Navrotsky, and his policy towards Ukrainian refugees may bring about some changes. If the special law on Ukrainian refugees in Poland is not extended, it will be necessary to exchange your license for a local one. Otherwise, you may face a fine equivalent to almost half of the minimum wage in Poland in 2025. Is this just a rumor or not? Let's take a closer look in this article!
What will change for Ukrainian drivers in Poland from October 1?
To understand what may change in the near future, let's take a look at how things work now. As many people know, the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic allows foreigners from participating countries to drive in other countries for up to 185 days using a driver's license issued in their home country. More than 80 countries, including Ukraine and Poland, have signed this agreement. However, starting in 2022, Poland will offer special privileges to Ukrainians who have obtained PESEL UKR status. This status offers many advantages, including the ability to drive a vehicle in Poland using a Ukrainian driver's license.
![[object Object]](https://images.ctfassets.net/o5pzd75oy6c1/38nu4YgVmtWF271yYCAUYR/e4a764899ad67a24493753a550d6e654/2.jpg)
What will change or may change in the near future? Until September 30, 2025, there is a transition period for Ukrainians with temporary protection status (UKR). If this resolution is not extended, millions of Ukrainians will face a problem. They will be forced to replace their licenses with Polish ones.
IMPORTANT: The requirement to replace your driver's license with a local one applies only to Ukrainians who live in Poland on a permanent basis (more than 180 days a year). If you want to come to Poland for a week or several months, there is no reason to worry. The main thing is to have insurance (a green card) to enter the EU.
Legal grounds
As we mentioned above, Ukraine and Poland are signatories to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, so you can drive a vehicle for no more than 185 days (6 months). Since special privileges for Ukrainians in Poland may be canceled as early as September 31, 2025, it is necessary to think about your documents in advance. More information about the Polish authorities' requirements for foreign citizens driving vehicles can be found in the official law at this link.
Potential penalty
Can you ignore the requirement to replace your Ukrainian driver's license with a Polish one? If the benefits for Ukrainian refugees are not extended, you will face a fine for such a violation. So, if you live in Poland for a long period (more than 6 months) and do not want to change your Ukrainian license, you will face a fine of PLN 2,000. Aksis migration agents decided to compare this fine with other common fines among Ukrainians in Poland (see table below)..
Violation | Amount of the fine |
|---|
Driving without a Polish license (after 6 months of residence) | 2,000 PLN |
No insurance (OC) | 1,200 - 6,000 PLN |
Talking on the phone while driving | 500 PLN |
Smoking in prohibited areas | 100 - 500 PLN |
Fare evasion on public transport | 300 - 500 PLN |
How to replace Ukrainian driving licenses with Polish ones?
![[object Object]](https://images.ctfassets.net/o5pzd75oy6c1/5Nnv4iRdoBwJnPMvS4UfZv/645a1bac4cb9df3721a2c73ca3fb270a/1.jpg)
If you are staying in Poland for more than six months, you are required by law to exchange your Ukrainian driver's license for a Polish one. It is not difficult to do this, but it is important to follow all the steps correctly to avoid fines and problems with driving. The replacement procedure takes place at the Starostwo Powiatowe (you can find the address you need here) at your place of registration or residence. So, here's how to replace your Ukrainian license with a Polish one in 2025:
Prepare an application for wymianę prawa jazdy (the form is available at the office).
Provide the original Ukrainian license and its notarized translation.
Attach a recent photo measuring 3.5×4.5 cm.
Pay the state fee (usually PLN 100.50).
On average, the procedure takes 4 to 8 weeks, as the Polish authorities wait for a response from the Ukrainian authorities. The cost of the exchange is fixed and low, but if the exchange is delayed after 6 months of driving, you risk a fine of up to 2,000 PLN and losing your right to drive.
Where can you get turnkey assistance?
If you do not plan to stay in Poland for more than 185 days (6 months), then there is no sense in changing your Ukrainian driver's license. However, for those who live here permanently, it is better to make the change if you do not want to receive a fine of 2,000 PLN. Our agents at aksis will be happy to provide you with turnkey assistance thanks to their vast experience in working with documents. We will prepare the documents, take care of the translation, and fill out the application for you. All you have to do is pick up the finished document. Contact us in any convenient way to get a free consultation today!
