In Poland, the driving licence for an indefinite period – besides called an indefinite 1 – was erstwhile a standard, but it is now an obsolete solution. Although many drivers inactive have specified documents, according to the fresh regulations they must exchange them for papers with a certain date of validity. Failure to comply with this work entails serious financial consequences and failure of the right to drive. Read what has changed, who needs to replace the driver’s license, what steps to take to avoid penalties, and erstwhile precisely the replacement deadline is due.
When can I get a fresh license?
The changes introduced in Poland in 2013 clearly indicate that fresh driving licences are issued for a period of 15 years, and these papers must be renewed after that time. For those who hold a driving licence without a valid date, the amendment of the rules means that papers must be exchanged in order to proceed to be able to legally travel on the roads. The last ringtone for the exchange of unlimited driving licences is coming – from 2028 it will be an work that will last until 2033.
License issued before January 18, 2013 must be exchanged between 19 January 2028 and 18 January 2033. This means that drivers who have obtained a driving licence before 23 January 2010 will gotta exchange papers by 23 January 2030 at the latest. This is simply a key word to keep in head to avoid later complications.
What are the consequences of not exchanging a driving licence?
Failure to exchange a paper until the specified time limit involves fine from PLN 1.5 1000 to PLN 2 1000 and no driving. In the light of the regulations, a driver who has not exchanged a driving licence shall be treated as if he never had specified a document. This means that not only will he not be able to drive the vehicle, but he can besides be fined.
Importantly, the date of validity of the paper is not the same as the date on which the driving rights themselves expire. This means that the exchange of a driving licence does not require medical examinations – if there are no changes in health, the rights stay valid.
What steps should be taken to replace a driving licence?
If you have an unlimited driving licence, here is what the paper exchange process looks like. To submit an application, the following papers must be prepared:
- application form (available on the citizen.gov.pl portal),
- confirmation of the licence exchange fee,
- current photo (colour, clear, dimensions: 35 x 45 mm),
- ID or passport (for foreigners – passport or residence card),
- medical certificateif required,
- original of the erstwhile driving licence (the authoritative will make a copy).
The exchange of driving licences may be carried out personally at the appropriate office, or remote via the ePUAP platform. The cost of replacing a paper is PLN 100 and additional 50 grams of registration fee.
When do you gotta change your license?
In addition to the exchange of unlimited documents, there are also situations where drivers request to exchange their driving licence. This should be done when:
- expiry date document,
- expired a circumstantial category of driving licence,
- document will be lost or destroyed.
Each of these situations requires an application for the exchange of a document, whether it is simply a fixed-term licence or an indefinite licence.
Amendments to regulations on the exchange of driving licences are an crucial issue that concerns a large part of Polish drivers. Replacement of an unlimited driving licence is mandatory and must be carried out within the appropriate timeframe to avoid advanced financial penalties and another inconveniences related to going to an outdated document. It is crucial that drivers who hold a driving licence issued before 18 January 2013, listed papers by 2033.
Preparation of applicable documents, submission of an application and payment of the amounts required is simply a comparatively simple process, but requires prior planning. This will enable any driver who completes the formalities to travel legally and safely on the road.
Read more:
Do you have an unlimited license? The mandatory exchange has begun
