Publication date: 01.02.2026
Many foreigners, including Ukrainian citizens, as well as Poles who frequently change their place of residence, face a practical question: do you need to change your driver’s license after changing your address, and is it possible to complete the procedure without residence registration (meldunek). This issue has become increasingly relevant, as more people live in Poland based on rental agreements or actual residence without formal registration, which raises doubts about administrative requirements.
In practice, a driver’s license and a change of address do not always require mandatory replacement of the document. Polish law does not contain a direct rule obliging drivers to exchange their license solely due to relocation. However, a change of address and a driver’s license may require updating data in official registers if inconsistencies arise or if other administrative actions are involved.
Does a Change of Address Require Exchanging a Driver’s License?
Many drivers mistakenly assume that changing their registered address automatically means they must replace their driver’s license. In reality, a change of registration address and a driver’s license are not always directly linked. If no other personal data changes and no additional administrative applications are submitted, an exchange may not be required.
However, there are situations where changing data on a driver’s license is recommended or mandatory, including:
- moving to another voivodeship with data updates in the CEPiK register;
- discrepancies between the actual place of residence and registry data;
- whether you need to change your license after marriage — in the case of a surname change, replacement is mandatory;
- submitting other applications where address data has legal significance.
In such cases, a common practical problem arises: which address should be indicated on the driver’s license — residence or registration.
Is It Possible to Exchange a Driver’s License Without Meldunek?
Yes. In practice, exchanging a driver’s license at the place of residence or registration is possible even without permanent registration. Many authorities in Poland accept applications based on the actual place of residence, especially for foreigners. Therefore, exchanging a driver’s license in a city other than the place of registration is legally possible, provided the documents are properly prepared.
The key factors are:
- correct identification of the competent authority;
- proper justification that the actual address constitutes the center of vital interests.
This approach allows the procedure to be completed without meldunek and significantly reduces the risk of refusal.
What Does Legal Assistance Look Like?
A lawyer supports the client throughout the entire procedure, including:
- analyzing whether exchanging a driver’s license after a change of address is mandatory in a specific case;
- determining where license exchange in a city other than the place of registration is possible;
- preparing the application with correctly indicated address data;
- explaining which address of residence or registration should be listed on the driver’s license;
- communicating with authorities on behalf of the client;
- monitoring the procedure until the document is issued.
As a result, the driver avoids formal errors, delays, and unjustified refusals, even without residence registration.
Exchanging a driver’s license in Poland without meldunek is possible and fully legal. Whether you need to change your license after a change of address depends on the specific circumstances, the nature of the change, and registry requirements. In many cases, a change of address and a driver’s license do not require immediate replacement, but incorrect data may cause serious issues in the future.
Consultant Legal Marketplace helps clients safely complete the procedure of exchanging or updating driver’s license data — from initial legal analysis to receiving the final document. Professional support saves time and helps avoid administrative complications.
FAQ
Question
Do you need to change your driver’s license after changing your address?
Answer
Not always. Whether a license exchange is required depends on whether registry data is updated and whether additional administrative actions are involved.
Question
Is it possible to exchange a driver’s license without meldunek?
Answer
Yes. Exchanging a driver’s license at the place of residence or registration is possible even without permanent registration, if the authority recognizes the actual place of residence.
Question
Can a driver’s license be exchanged in a city other than the place of registration?
Answer
Yes. License exchange in a different city than the registered address is allowed if the documents are properly prepared.
Question
Which address should be indicated on a driver’s license — residence or registration?
Answer
The choice between address of residence or registration on a driver’s license depends on the practice of the specific authority and the individual situation.
Question
Is it necessary to change a driver’s license after marriage?
Answer
Yes. After marriage, changing the driver’s license is mandatory if the surname has changed.
