Driving License in Ukraine for Expats
Yes, for You may drive on a valid foreign national licence or IDP for the duration of your legal stay; a 1968-model IDP is valid up to 3 years, a 1949-model up to 1 year. After that, you must convert to a Ukraine license. The official test is only in Ukrainian, but you can practice in English with AutoviaTest.
Key Facts: Ukraine Driving License for Expats
- Test Authority
- HSC MIA — Головний сервісний центр МВС (Main Service Center of MIA)
- Official Test Language
- Ukrainian
- Grace Period
- You may drive on a valid foreign national licence or IDP for the duration of your legal stay; a 1968-model IDP is valid up to 3 years, a 1949-model up to 1 year
- Processing Time
- The in-person exchange is usually completed quickly once all documents are ready — the main lead time is obtaining the notarised translations and the foreign-authority confirmation document
- Theory Test Required
- Not for exchange
- Practical Test Required
- Not for exchange
- Medical Exam
- Not required
- Total Cost
- Roughly UAH 950 plus the notarised translation costs; no medical certificate is currently required
Eligibility by Nationality
EU/EEA Citizens
All EU/EEA states are parties to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, so an EU/EEA licence is exchanged for a Ukrainian посвідчення водія with no theory or practical exam — the service-centre administrator simply verifies the documents. Ukraine also has bilateral mutual-recognition agreements with Spain, Italy and Lithuania.
US/UK Citizens
The United Kingdom is a 1968 Vienna Convention party, so a UK licence is exchanged with no exam. The United States is NOT a Vienna Convention party — a US licence can be exchanged only after passing a theory and a practical exam at an HSC service centre. (Australia is a Vienna party — no exam; Canada is not — exam required.)
Other Non-EU Citizens
Exchange eligibility depends on the 1968 Vienna Convention: a licence from any Vienna Convention country is exchanged with no exams. A licence from a non-Vienna country must be exchanged after passing a theory and a practical exam. Ukraine also recognises bilateral agreements with Spain, Italy, Lithuania, Turkey and the UAE.
Students
You may drive on a valid foreign national licence or an International Driving Permit during your legal stay (a 1968-model IDP is valid up to 3 years, a 1949-model up to 1 year, never beyond the national licence). Students do not have to exchange unless they take up permanent residence.
Required Documents
- ✓Passport or Ukrainian residence permit
- ✓Ukrainian tax identification number (РНОКПП)
- ✓The foreign driving licence plus a notarised Ukrainian translation
- ✓A document from the competent foreign authority confirming the licence was issued and that there is no withdrawal of the right to drive, plus a notarised translation
- ✓A medical certificate (form 083/о) — not required during martial law and for 3 months after it ends
Costs Breakdown
- Conversion/Exam Fee
- About UAH 950 for the exchange (state administrative-service fees)
- Medical Exam
- Medical certificate (form 083/о) — not required during martial law; in peacetime roughly UAH 300–500
- Translation
- Notarised Ukrainian translation of the foreign licence and of the foreign-authority confirmation document — market price, paid to a notary/translator
- Total Estimated
- Roughly UAH 950 plus the notarised translation costs; no medical certificate is currently required
License Exchange Agreements
Direct Exchange (No Test Required) · 2
License Exchange Agreements
Direct Exchange (No Test Required) · 2
No Agreement (Full Test Required): A licence from a country that is NOT a party to the 1968 Vienna Convention — notably the USA and Canada — is exchanged only after passing a theory and a practical exam at the service centre. Attending a driving school is not required if you can document that the licence was genuinely issued abroad.
Tips for Expats in Ukraine
- Exchange eligibility is decided by the 1968 Vienna Convention — a licence from any Vienna Convention country (including all EU/EEA states, the UK and Australia) is exchanged with no exam.
- The USA and Canada are not Vienna Convention parties, so a US or Canadian licence can be exchanged only after passing a theory and a practical exam.
- During martial law, the medical certificate is waived for a licence exchange or renewal — and stays waived for 3 months after martial law ends.
- A foreigner who takes up permanent residence has 60 days from the residence document to exchange the licence.
- A notarised Ukrainian translation is required for the foreign licence and for the foreign-authority confirmation document.
- Ukraine offers a digital driving licence in the Diia app, legally equivalent to the plastic card within Ukraine.
From a recent expat graduate
A real story from someone who got their licence as a foreigner
“I find the service invaluable. It helped me immensely and I am impressed by the format and content. First class!”I have now passed my driving theory test. The course and information was great and very helpful. The reason I had to take the test is because I am living in Chile which does not recognise the driver licence of my mother country.