Do Ukrainian drivers need Code 95 in Poland?
Code 95 for a Ukrainian driver in Poland must sit in a Polish licence or on a Polish card, because Art. 39f does not accept Ukrainian certificates.
Logifie Team
Logistics Technology Experts
Yes. A Ukrainian driver at a Polish carrier needs Code 95 recorded in a Polish licence after exchange or on a Polish driver qualification card (karta kwalifikacji kierowcy, KKK). Ukrainian qualification is not recognised under Art. 39f of the Road Transport Act, so the driver completes Polish training and tests first.
Which document proves Code 95 for a Ukrainian driver in Poland?
Code 95 is the EU code that marks a completed driver qualification on a licence or qualification card. Directive 2003/59/EC covers third-country nationals employed in a member state, so it applies to Ukrainian drivers at Polish carriers.
In Poland the duty sits on both sides. A carrier may employ a driver only after initial qualification and current periodic training, and the driver must obtain the entry in a Polish licence or, where that is not possible, on the KKK. Both rules are in Art. 39a and 39f of the Road Transport Act , consolidated text Dz.U. 2025 poz. 1490 of 2025-10-20.
A driver who keeps a Ukrainian licence takes the card route. The starosta (county licensing office) issues the KKK under Art. 15a of the Act on drivers, and the Warsaw city portal lists a fee of 150 PLN. Permit and declaration steps are in our Poland work permit guide .
Does Ukraine's own Code 95 count in Poland?
No. Art. 39f(1) accepts Polish documents and those issued in another EU, EEA, EFTA, or Swiss state, or in the United Kingdom. A Ukrainian certificate is not on that list. Ukraine's own Code 95 for international drivers is a separate Ukrainian licensing condition.
If you hold no EU qualification, the route follows a fixed sequence. First, the driver enrols through a professional driver profile (profil kierowcy zawodowego, PKZ) at the starosta; a non-EU citizen working for a company seated in Poland can qualify there without the 185-day residence test (Art. 39b). Second, the driver completes the initial course and passes practical tests at the provincial road traffic centre (WORD). Third, you receive the qualification certificate, and fourth, the starosta enters Code 95 in the licence or issues the KKK.
How long does Code 95 last and what does renewal take?
Code 95 lasts 5 years from the date of the qualification certificate, capped by the validity of the medical and psychological opinions (Act on drivers, Art. 15 and 15a). Renewal means 35 hours of periodic training in 5 modules under regulation Dz.U. 2022 poz. 739. More detail is in our guide to periodic training under Driver CPC .
The Road Transport Act reference is the October 2025 consolidated text, and all legal sources were checked on 2026-10-31.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep my Ukrainian licence and still get Code 95 in Poland?
Yes. If you hold a valid foreign licence but do not meet the conditions for a Polish one, the starosta records Code 95 on a KKK (Act on drivers, Art. 15a). The Warsaw portal adds that non-EU licences need a Polish translation by a sworn translator or consul.
Do I need the 280-hour or the 140-hour course?
Regulation Dz.U. 2022 poz. 739 sets initial qualification at 280 hours and accelerated qualification at 140 hours. Which one applies depends on age and licence category under Art. 39a, so confirm with the training centre before you enrol.
Does the Polish employer need to check Code 95?
Yes. Art. 39a makes qualification and periodic training a condition of employing a driver. Recruiters can read the non-EU driver jobs guide for the wider hiring picture.
What does the card cost and how long does it take?
The Warsaw portal lists 150 PLN for issue or replacement, up to 2 working days for a professional driver profile, and a card ready within 30 days at most. Check your own starosta for current fees and forms.
Explore driver careers at Logifie once your Polish qualification is in order.
