Publication date: 01.02.2026
Many foreigners living in Poland need a translation of a driver’s license in order to legally use the document or apply for its exchange into Polish. Although the procedure itself may seem simple, in practice only specific persons and institutions have the legal right to perform a translation of a driver’s license into Polish that will be accepted by Polish authorities.
Whether the authority accepts the application without objections depends directly on the correctness of the translation. Therefore, the question of who is authorized to perform a sworn translation of a driver’s license is of fundamental importance. An incorrect translation may result in procedural delays or the need to repeat the entire process.
Who Has the Right to Perform a Translation of a Driver’s License?
Polish law clearly defines who is authorized to carry out a sworn (certified) translation of a driver’s license. Such a translation may be performed exclusively by:
- a sworn translator entered in the official register of the Ministry of Justice of Poland;
- a consul of the Republic of Poland;
- in exceptional cases, a foreign sworn translator whose authority is officially recognized by Polish institutions.
Any translation of a driver’s license performed by an unauthorized person or by a regular translator without sworn status may be rejected. This often leads to delays in the exchange of the license and additional financial costs.
What Should a Correct Translation of a Driver’s License Look Like?
A correct translation of a driver’s license into Polish must fully and accurately reflect the content of the original document. It must include all details without exception, such as
- license categories,
- dates of issue and expiration,
- license number,
- the driver’s personal data.
Even a minor error or missing element may be grounds for refusal. For this reason, a sworn (certified) translation of a driver’s license requires particular accuracy and strict compliance with formal requirements.
Cost of Translating a Driver’s License
The price of a driver’s license translation depends on several factors, including the language of the original document, its complexity, and the required timeframe. As a rule, the cost of translating a driver’s license by a sworn translator is higher than that of a regular translation, but only a sworn translation is recognized by Polish authorities.
Attempts to save money by using unofficial translations often result in the need to repeat the procedure, which ultimately increases both costs and waiting time.
How Does a Lawyer Help in the Translation Process?
Professional legal support helps avoid common mistakes and unnecessary expenses. A lawyer:
- determines whether a sworn (certified) translation of a driver’s license is required in a specific case;
- assists in selecting an appropriate sworn translator;
- verifies the completed translation of a driver’s license into Polish before submission;
- advises on the price of a driver’s license translation and expected timeframes;
- prepares documents for submission and supervises the subsequent stage of the exchange procedure.
The translation of a driver’s license in Poland is mandatory in many administrative situations. However, only a sworn (certified) translation of a driver’s license performed by an authorized person is accepted. The correctness of the translation affects not only the speed of the process but also the possibility of exchanging the license without complications.
Consultant Legal Marketplace helps determine who is authorized to perform a translation of a driver’s license into Polish, verifies compliance with legal requirements, and helps avoid refusals and delays during administrative procedures.
FAQ
Question
Who can translate a driver’s license in Poland?
Answer
Only a sworn translator, a Polish consul, or another person whose authority is officially recognized by Polish authorities may perform a translation of a driver’s license.
Question
Is a sworn translation of a driver’s license mandatory?
Answer
Yes, in most administrative procedures only a sworn (certified) translation of a driver’s license is accepted.
Question
Will a regular translation of a driver’s license into Polish be accepted?
Answer
No, a regular translation of a driver’s license into Polish without certification by a sworn translator is generally not accepted.
Question
What does the price of a driver’s license translation depend on?
Answer
The price of a driver’s license translation depends on the document’s language, complexity, and the required timeframe.
Question
Can a lawyer check the completed translation before submission?
Answer
Yes, a lawyer verifies the translation of a driver’s license for compliance with formal requirements and helps prevent rejection by the authority.
