15M Drivers Must Replace ‘Lifetime’ Polish Licences

12 August 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Nearly 15 million Poles face a mandatory driving licence exchange from 2028 to 2033. Check the mandatory driving licence exchange schedule and fees.

Nearly 15 million drivers will need to replace old “lifetime” licences under a planned mandatory driving licence exchange. The government set the process to run from 19 January 2028 to 18 January 2033, and applicants will likely pay a fee.

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mandatory driving licence exchange: who and when

The rule affects licences issued before 19 January 2013. Consequently, the Ministry of Infrastructure reports that 14,941,013 such documents still exist. Moreover, the law does not strip away driving rights. Therefore, drivers keep their acquired, unlimited driving entitlements when they swap cards. However, the physical plastic card will expire if not replaced by 18 January 2033.

What the swap will involve and how much it may cost

The state requires drivers to file an application to receive a new card. In addition, officials plan a staged timetable to avoid long queues. The government intends to spread replacements across five years. Consequently, not everyone must visit an office on day one. Currently the replacement fee stands at 100 zł. However, the ministry has proposed indexing the fee to 115.50 zł. Therefore, the total cost for replacing all cards would top 1.5 billion zł at the 100 zł rate. Moreover, higher fees would increase that sum.

Why expats should pay attention

If you live in Poland and hold a Polish licence from before 2013, this change matters to you. In addition, car rental companies and insurers may ask for a valid card when you rent a vehicle. Consequently, driving without a valid document after 18 January 2033 could lead to fines (a “mandat” or traffic ticket) and problems with insurance claims. Moreover, if you use public services, authorities may want your PESEL (national ID number) to process the exchange. PESEL helps match records, and institutions like ZUS (social security) or NFZ (public health insurer) sometimes rely on that number for identity checks.

Do not confuse the document with the right to drive. The Constitutional Tribunal ruled in 2013 that card expiry does not remove driving entitlements. Therefore, you will not need to retake exams solely because of the swap. However, you might need fresh medical or psychological certificates if your licence already carried such limits. In addition, licence categories and existing medical restrictions determine those needs.

Practical tips for residents and newcomers

First, check the issue date on your card. Moreover, watch for the ministry’s detailed timetable. Second, consider replacing early if you want to avoid local office rushes. Third, prepare ID and payment, and confirm whether your district office requires an appointment. In Warsaw, for example, districts handle applications locally, so expect variable wait times across the city. Finally, if you hold a foreign licence, verify whether Polish rules apply to you. Many EU licences follow reciprocal rules, but residency and exchange obligations differ.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: If your Polish licence dates from before 19 January 2013, you must swap the card between 2028 and 2033. Your actual driving rights stay intact, so you will not need to retake exams unless health-based limits apply. Keep your PESEL and identity documents ready, and watch for a phased schedule from the Ministry.

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