How to Exchange a Ukrainian Driving Licence for a Slovak One
A Ukrainian driving licence is recognised in Slovakia only for a limited time. If you live here permanently, sooner or later you will have to exchange it for a Slovak one. Here is how the process works, what documents you need and how much it costs.
Do you have to exchange your licence?
For a tourist trip you do not need to change anything. But if you have been granted a residence permit or the status of temporary protection and live in Slovakia permanently, the exchange becomes compulsory. During a check, the police look precisely at the fact of permanent residence.
One important point: the exchange is not a matter of retaking your driving test. If your licence is valid and the categories are confirmed, you receive a Slovak document for the same categories.
What documents you need
- A valid Ukrainian driving licence.
- An official translation of the licence, made by a sworn translator in Slovakia (úradný prekladateľ). An ordinary translation will not be accepted.
- A certificate from the issuing country stating when the licence was issued and confirming that you are not banned from driving. This is the key document, and obtaining it usually takes the longest.
- Proof of residence in Slovakia — a residence permit card or a temporary protection document.
- An application on the official form and a photograph (usually taken on the spot).
Documents must be submitted in person at the traffic police office (okresné riaditeľstvo Policajného zboru, oddelenie dokladov) for your place of residence.
Timescales and cost
- Standard processing — up to about 30 days, with a state fee of around €6.50.
- Fast-track issue — about two working days, around €26.
- The sworn translation is paid for separately, usually €20–40.
These amounts are indicative — check the exact fee on the spot, as it changes from time to time.
What happens to your old licence
This is an important point that often comes as an unpleasant surprise: when the Slovak licence is issued, your Ukrainian one will be taken from you. The police send it back to the country that issued it. You cannot keep both documents — this is a standard EU rule, not a Slovak peculiarity.
So if you plan to travel to Ukraine regularly and drive there, think carefully about when to make the exchange.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to take a driving test?
For an ordinary exchange of a valid licence, no. A test may be required if the licence has expired, is damaged, or if there is any doubt about its authenticity.
What if my licence has expired?
An expired licence cannot be exchanged under the simplified procedure. In that case you will usually have to take lessons and sit the exams at a Slovak driving school.
Can I drive while the exchange is in progress?
Yes — until you hand the document in, you use your Ukrainian licence. Ask at the office whether they will issue you temporary confirmation for the period while the new licence is being produced.
How long does the whole thing take?
Realistically, from a few weeks to a couple of months, and the main delay is usually getting the certificate from Ukraine rather than the work of the Slovak police.
You can check the official information here: the rules on compulsory PZP insurance and check a car’s current PZP.
Compulsory insurance is also part of driving in Slovakia — what PZP is and what fines you face without it.
If you already own a car in Slovakia, find out when comprehensive (KASKO) cover is worth taking out.
What else will come in handy
If you are only just settling into the country, have a look at our complete guide to moving to Slovakia. You can find a sworn translator in our directory of Russian-speaking specialists. Official information about the procedure is on the website of the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic.
Important. The information in this article has been gathered from publicly available online sources and was accurate at the time of publication. Fees, the list of documents and the order of the procedure change, and requirements may differ depending on the office and on your particular situation. Before submitting your documents, check the current conditions directly with the police office and, if necessary, consult a relevant specialist — a lawyer or a professional intermediary.