UAKey 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
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.
Frequently asked questions
Can I exchange my foreign licence in Ukraine without taking a test?
It depends on the issuing country. A licence from any country that is a party to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic — which includes all EU/EEA states, the UK, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Turkey and the UAE — is exchanged with no theory or practical exam. A licence from a non-Vienna country, such as the USA or Canada, can be exchanged only after passing a theory and a practical exam at an HSC service centre.
Do US drivers have to take a test to exchange their licence in Ukraine?
Yes. The United States is not a party to the 1968 Vienna Convention, so a US licence is exchanged only after passing a theory and a practical exam at an HSC service centre. Attending a driving school is not required if you can document that the licence was genuinely issued abroad. (A UK licence, by contrast, is a Vienna Convention licence and is exchanged with no exam.)
Is a medical certificate required to exchange a licence in Ukraine?
Not at the moment. During martial law — and for 3 months after it ends — the Main Service Centre waives the medical certificate (form 083/о) for a licence exchange or renewal. In peacetime the certificate is required; it covers vision, hearing and general health.
Can I take the Ukrainian driving exam in English?
No. The theory and practical exams are conducted in Ukrainian only, and translators are not permitted in the exam room. Use AutoviaTest in English to learn the rules before sitting the official Ukrainian exam. Note that if your licence is from a Vienna Convention country you do not take an exam at all.
How long do I have to exchange my licence after moving to Ukraine?
A foreigner who takes up permanent residence must exchange the foreign licence for a Ukrainian one within 60 days of the State Migration Service issuing the permanent-residence document. Temporary residents and visitors may keep driving on a valid foreign licence or IDP for their legal stay.