Ukrainian or Belarusian driver’s licenses are still formally recognized in Poland—but as soon as the topic turns to working for Uber, Bolt, FreeNow, or a traditional taxi service, that rule no longer applies. Since June 17, 2024, a separate law has been in effect in Poland that journalists and drivers themselves have already dubbed “Lex Uber”: it requires any driver providing paid passenger transportation to hold a Polish license, regardless of how long the war-related exemptions remain in effect. Inspections confirm this: it’s estimated that one in four ride-hailing drivers is still operating without the required document—and risks a fine for both themselves and the intermediary company. Qiwi Partner will explain who really needs to switch licenses right now and who can wait, and will walk you through the entire process step by step.
Is a foreign ID valid in Poland at all?
There are two completely different procedures here, and the confusion between them is the main reason why drivers are putting off exchanging their documents, even though they are actually already required to do so.
For everyday driving (not for work, but to run errands or take a child to school) a foreign driver’s license is recognized for a longer period. Ukrainian citizens with temporary protection (PESEL number with UKR status) may drive a car using a Ukrainian license for the entire duration of the temporary protection mechanism in the EU—as of now, this has been extended until at least March 4, 2027, pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2022/1280 of the European Parliament and of the Council. For those who do not have this status—those with other grounds for residence or other citizenship, including Belarusian citizenship—the general rule applies: the license is recognized until 185 days of actual residence in Poland have elapsed within a calendar year. After that, the license must be exchanged.
To work as a driver These terms don't matter. This is where Lex Uber comes into play.
The Golden Rule: Why Uber, Bolt, and Taxis Are a Different Story
Effective June 17, 2024, the following requirement applies: anyone who provides paid passenger transportation—whether by taxi or through an app such as Uber, Bolt, or FreeNow—must hold a driver’s license issued by an EU country or a Polish license obtained through the exchange of a foreign document. Simply holding a valid Ukrainian or Belarusian license is not sufficient for this purpose, even if the overall period of recognition for the document (namely, 2027) has not yet expired.
The reason for enacting this law is not a bureaucratic whim, but safety and oversight: after the exchange, the driver’s data is entered into the CEPiK national database, through which the Polish police can view traffic violations, fines, and license suspensions committed specifically in Poland. It is more difficult to track foreign documents in this system, so lawmakers decided to close this loophole specifically for commercial carriers.
The consequences of ignoring this rule are significant for both parties. A driver without a Polish license risks a fine and being barred from continuing to provide transportation services. The intermediary company that allowed such a driver to work faces even more serious consequences—fines for carriers for similar violations can reach one million zlotys. Despite this, according to estimates by industry publications, a significant portion of ride-hailing drivers are still operating without the required documentation—that is, they are putting themselves at real risk.
Who can exchange their license, and under what conditions?
The exchange is available if several conditions are met simultaneously:
- The license is valid and was issued by Ukraine or Belarus—both countries are parties to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, so categories B, A, C, and D are recognized under Polish standards without additional verification;
- has legal residence in Poland and a fixed place of residence—as a rule, this is confirmed by the same 185 days per year, or by studying for at least 6 months at a Polish educational institution;
- His driver's license has not been revoked or restricted—neither in Ukraine, Belarus, nor Poland;
- The relevant authority can verify the authenticity of the document with the issuing authority—this is a standard procedural requirement, not a reason for denial in the vast majority of cases.
If all conditions are met, the exchange is processed administratively—without the need to take a written or practical exam. The exception is when the authorities have doubts about the authenticity of the document or are unable to verify the information with the issuing country.
Where to submit your application and what documents you'll need
The application is submitted to the appropriate authority in your place of residence: the county office (starostwo powiatowe), the city administration in cities with county status, or the district office—in the case of Warsaw. You must bring the following with you:
- a standard-form application;
- a recent photo;
- the original foreign driver's license (for inspection) and a copy of it;
- Certified translation of a document into Polish — the translation must be performed by a translator listed with the Ministry of Justice; standard translations are not accepted here;
- an identity document and a document confirming the right to stay in Poland;
- proof of payment of the administrative fee.
The standard fee is approximately 100 zlotys for issuing the document itself, plus a 0.50 zloty registration fee. The processing time depends on the specific agency and how quickly the document’s authenticity can be verified in the country of issuance—in practice, this can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months, so it’s best to start the process in advance, rather than waiting until the platform requires you to show a Polish ID.
What Changes Almost Immediately After the Exchange
The most noticeable change is that the risk associated with roadside checks is eliminated: the police can see a valid Polish driver’s license in the CEPiK system just as they would for any other driver, without any additional questions about the driver’s residency status or the validity of a foreign document. The second change concerns the platform itself: Uber, Bolt, and FreeNow are legally required to verify that drivers have a Polish driver’s license, so replacing the document eliminates the risk of a temporary account suspension during routine checks by the platform. In other words, this is not just a matter of formal compliance with the law, but also about ensuring that drivers do not lose access to ride requests during peak working hours.
A practical tip regarding the appointment process for submitting documents: In some large cities, such as Warsaw, you can book an appointment with the relevant office online through the city’s service portal instead of waiting in line—this is especially helpful if you’re short on time and need to get back to work as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Ukrainian driver's license currently valid in Poland?
For regular driving—yes, for citizens with temporary protection, the validity has been extended until at least March 4, 2027. However, this does not apply to working as a taxi driver or through apps like Uber, Bolt, or FreeNow: a Polish driver’s license is required for those jobs regardless of this deadline.
Do I need to take an exam for the exchange program?
Generally speaking, no. Since Ukraine and Belarus are parties to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, the exchange takes place without a written or practical test, provided the document is authentic and the license categories comply with Polish standards.
What happens if you transport passengers through the app without exchanging documents?
The driver himself risks a fine and being barred from continuing to transport passengers, and the intermediary company that allowed him to work faces much more severe fines. This is exactly the kind of situation where it’s better to get the paperwork in order ahead of time than to test the rules in practice.
Does this rule apply only to Ukrainian citizens, or to Belarusian citizens as well?
The requirement is the same for all drivers of commercial passenger transport, regardless of citizenship—including Belarusian drivers, for whom the grace period for document recognition through 2027 does not apply; this grace period applies only to holders of temporary protection status.
In lieu of a conclusion
Exchanging your work permit is another item on the list of paperwork that should be taken care of before it gets in the way of starting work, not after. Qiwi Partner has already written about other formalities that newcomers face during their first months of work in Poland in a separate article on common mistakes made by new drivers, and for information on the receipt and the excerpt from the taxi license, see the related articles in this series.
If handling all these documents on your own seems like too much of a hassle at the start, there’s an easier way. You can read about how working through a payment partner works and who takes care of some of the administrative tasks in this article What is a settlement partner?. You can find cars to use for Uber, Bolt, and FreeNow without having to buy your own at the car rental page in Warsaw — and the easiest way to get started is with Signing up as a driver with Qiwi Partner.
