Key Polish phrases for driving administration
| Polish phrase | Pronunciation | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Chcę się zapisać do szkoły jazdy | Htseh sheh zah-PEE-satch doh SHKOH-wih YAHZ-dih | "I want to enrol in a driving school" |
| Mam prawo jazdy z Indii | Mam PRAH-voh YAHZ-dih z EEN-dee | "I have an Indian driving licence" |
| Chcę zdać egzamin na prawo jazdy | Htseh zdatch eg-ZAH-meen nah PRAH-voh YAHZ-dih | "I want to take the driving licence exam" |
| Egzamin teoretyczny | eg-ZAH-meen teh-oh-reh-TICH-nih | Theory exam |
| Egzamin praktyczny | eg-ZAH-meen prak-TICH-nih | Practical driving exam |
| Czy egzamin jest dostępny po angielsku? | Chih eg-ZAH-meen yest dos-TEMP-nih poh an-GYEL-skoo? | "Is the exam available in English?" — confirm when booking |
| Chcę umówić egzamin | Htseh oo-MOO-vitch eg-ZAH-meen | "I want to book an exam appointment" |
| Zdałem/Zdałam egzamin | ZDAH-wem / ZDAH-wam eg-ZAH-meen | "I passed the exam" (male/female) |
| Niezdałem/Niezdałam | Nyeh-ZDAH-wem / Nyeh-ZDAH-wam | "I did not pass" — if you need to rebook |
| Polish word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Prawo jazdy | PRAH-voh YAHZ-dih | Driving licence |
| Dowód rejestracyjny | DOH-vood reh-yes-TRATS-iy-nih | Vehicle registration document — always carry in the car |
| Ubezpieczenie OC | oo-bes-pye-CHEN-yeh oh-TSEH | Mandatory third-party car insurance |
| Kontrola drogowa | kon-TROH-lah droh-GOH-vah | Police road check — show licence, registration, and OC |
| Mandat | MAN-dat | Traffic fine |
| Stacja benzynowa | STAH-tsyah ben-ZIH-noh-vah | Petrol station |
| Autostrada | ow-toh-STRAH-dah | Motorway / highway |
Can I drive in Poland with my Indian licence?
First 6 months — Yes, with an IDP
Drive using your Indian licence + International Driving Permit (IDP). Get the IDP in India before travelling. Valid for 1 year, costs ~₹500–1000.
After 6 months — Must get Polish licence
Once a resident for 185+ days per year, you are legally required to hold a Polish prawo jazdy (PRAH-voh YAHZ-dih). Driving on an Indian licence after this period risks fines.
Getting a Polish driving licence — the full process
Enrol in a driving school — szkoła jazdy (SHKOH-wah YAHZ-dih)
Mandatory: minimum 30 hours theory + 30 hours practical (Category B). Cost: 2,000–4,000 PLN. Look for schools with English-speaking instructors — instruktor mówiący po angielsku (een-STROOK-tor MOO-vyohn-tsih poh an-GYEL-skoo).
Theory exam — egzamin teoretyczny (eg-ZAH-meen teh-oh-reh-TICH-nih)
At your regional WORD (VORD = Wojewódzki Ośrodek Ruchu Drogowego). Available in English. 32 questions, 30 minutes. Need 68/74 points to pass. Practice at moj.word.gov.pl.
Practical exam — egzamin praktyczny (eg-ZAH-meen prak-TICH-nih)
Also at WORD. ~40 minutes with an examiner. Conducted in Polish — a translator (tłumacz / TWOO-mach) may be allowed at some WORDs — confirm when booking.
Apply for the physical licence at Wydział Komunikacji (VIH-jow koh-moo-nee-KATS-yee)
Transport department at your city hall. Fee: 100.50 PLN. Card issued in 2–4 weeks.
WORD exam centre locations
Warsaw word.waw.pl →
Kraków word.krakow.pl →
Wrocław word.wroc.pl →
Gdańsk word.gdansk.pl →
Poznań word.poznan.pl →
Useful official links
📅 Last updated: June 2025. If you notice outdated information, please use the suggest button.