Ukrainians living in Poland and driving a car are not always required to exchange their national driving licence for a Polish one. Legal requirements vary significantly depending on the grounds for staying in the country, and ignoring the rules can lead to fines and a driving ban. We explain who is allowed to use Ukrainian licences, when the obligation to exchange arises, and how to avoid problems during document checks.
Temporary Protection and PESEL UKR Status: Ukrainian Licences Remain Valid Without Exchange
Special rules apply to Ukrainians enjoying temporary protection in the European Union. Under EU Regulation 2022/1280, Ukrainian driving licences are recognised across EU member states for the entire duration of temporary protection. This means that a Ukrainian citizen with PESEL UKR status in Poland enjoying temporary protection does not need to exchange a valid Ukrainian licence simply due to long-term residency in the country. Such drivers also do not need an International Driving Permit or a certified translation of their national document. However, during checks, the police have the right to request a passport or another identity document.
Extension of Temporary Protection Until 2028 and Connection with Actual Status
Temporary protection at the EU level has been extended until 4 March 2028, as stipulated by EU Council Decision 2026/1912. It is important to note that the right to use a Ukrainian driving licence under special rules depends on actually holding temporary protection, rather than just Ukrainian citizenship. Holding a residence permit (karta pobytu) does not automatically mean an obligation to immediately exchange the licence: above all, one must check whether the right to temporary protection remains valid and under which specific rules the document is recognised.
General Rules: Six-Month Recognition and the 185-Day Threshold
A different situation applies to Ukrainians residing in Poland on grounds unrelated to temporary protection. General rules for recognising foreign driving licences apply to them: as a rule, a Ukrainian licence is recognised for six months from the start of the respective stay in Poland, after which a Polish document must be obtained to continue driving. To exchange the licence, one must meet the condition of normal residence in Poland—typically staying in the country for at least 185 days in a calendar year, as stated on the official government portal Gov.pl. It is important to distinguish between these timeframes: six months apply to the recognition of a foreign licence, while 185 days relate to confirming normal residence for the issuance of a Polish document.
How to Apply for the Exchange: Documents, Cost, and Deadlines
To exchange the licence, you must apply to the relevant authority at your place of residence—the starosta's office, city administration, or district office in a major city. The package includes a completed application form for exchanging a foreign driving licence, a foreign passport or other identity document, and a document confirming the residential address in accordance with municipal requirements. The cost of issuing a Polish driving licence is 100 zlotys. Before the exchange, the Polish administration checks information regarding the foreign licence and the right to drive, which is why the procedure may take longer than standard document production: according to the government portal, after data confirmation and payment, the document is usually issued within nine working days, while the verification of the foreign licence itself can take several weeks.
Exams, Surrendering the Ukrainian Document, and Expired Licences
If the Ukrainian licence complies with international conventions requirements, retaking exams is generally unnecessary; if the document does not meet the established format, a theoretical exam may be required. After the exchange, the Ukrainian licence must be surrendered—you cannot obtain a Polish one and keep the Ukrainian one under standard procedures. A distinction must also be made between the expiry of a document's validity and the loss or revocation of driving privileges. The European Commission clarifies that if Ukraine has officially extended the administrative validity period of certain driving documents, such an extension may be recognised within the EU under a special regulation. However, this does not mean that any expired licence is automatically considered valid in Poland: if the validity period has ended, you must check its legal status and the possibility of extension or exchange before travelling.
