PKK — Candidate Driver Profile: How to Get One Step by Step (2026)

Before you get behind the wheel for your first lesson, you need one thing: a PKK number. Without the Candidate Driver Profile (PKK, short for Profil Kandydata na Kierowcę), no driving school will start your training and no WORD (Wojewódzki Ośrodek Ruchu Drogowego — the regional exam centre) will let you register for the exam. The good news: this is the simplest and only free step in the entire process — and yes, it applies to foreigners living in Poland too.

What is the PKK?

The PKK is an electronic profile in a government IT system that tracks your journey towards a driving licence: from the medical examination, through the course at an OSK (Ośrodek Szkolenia Kierowców — a driving school), to the state exam and the issue of the document itself. Physically it's simply a 20-digit number that you give to your school and quote when registering for the exam.

Step by step: how to set up your PKK

Step 1: Gather your documents

Document	Where / cost
Medical certificate	candidate driver examination — 200 zł (what the examination involves)
Colour photo 35×45 mm	photographer — around 40–60 zł
Driving licence application form	form at the office or online
Identity document	ID card or passport (for foreigners: passport or residence card)
Parent/guardian consent	only for minors (including 17-year-olds doing category B)

As of: September 2026.

Step 2A: Applying at the office (on the spot)

Go to the transport department (wydział komunikacji) of the district office (starostwo powiatowe) or city hall for your place of residence. You submit your documents, the clerk generates the profile — and you usually get your PKK number on the spot, as a printout. The whole visit takes about 10–15 minutes (plus queuing). In exceptional cases verification can take up to 2 working days. As an expat, note that clerks may not speak English — bringing a Polish-speaking friend can save time, though many offices in larger cities handle foreign applicants routinely.

Step 2B: Applying online (trusted profile)

You can apply online via the Info-Car system (run by PWPW, the state security printing works) or through gov.pl — you'll need a trusted profile (profil zaufany, the Polish government e-ID) and scans of your documents (including a photo that meets the requirements). Once the office verifies your application, you receive the PKK number electronically. Convenient if you'd rather skip the queue — but if anything is missing, the office will still ask you to complete your application.

Step 3: Give the number to your driving school

With your PKK number you enrol in a driving course — the OSK "pulls" your profile from the system and records your completed training in it. After the course, you use the same number to book your exam date at a WORD.

PKK for 17-year-olds (new from March 2026)

From 3 March 2026, 17-year-olds can start the category B course and exam — for the PKK application they additionally need written consent from a parent or legal guardian. The details of the restrictions (accompanying mentor driver, probationary period) are covered in our driving licence categories table.

The most common mistakes when setting up a PKK

1. A photo that doesn't meet the requirements — it must meet the same criteria as an ID card photo (face straight on, light background).
2. An examination by a doctor without the right authorisation — the certificate can only be issued by a doctor authorised to examine drivers.
3. The wrong office — you submit the application at the office for your place of residence, not where you happen to be registered, if you actually live somewhere else.
4. Waiting until the end of summer to get your PKK — the profile can be issued on the spot, and driving lesson slots at OSKs in autumn can be booked far ahead. Sort out your PKK early and start learning the theory in the app right away.

What comes after the PKK?

You'll find the full path — what each stage costs and what the exam looks like — in our guides: the cost of a driving licence and what the exam looks like. Good news for expats: the theory exam at the WORD is available in English (and several other languages), so you can prepare entirely in English. Start practising today — a free online mock exam is waiting.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is there a fee for the PKK? No — generating the PKK number is free of charge.

How long is the PKK number valid? The number has no expiry date — it "lives" alongside your licence process.

Can I set up a PKK before my 18th birthday? Yes — you can start the course 3 months before reaching the required age, and from 3 March 2026 category B is available from age 17 (with parental consent).

Do I need a separate PKK for each category? Yes — you need a separate profile for each driving licence category (you can hold several at the same time).

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Sources

• Local government portals on gov.pl (PKK issuance procedure, Wołomin and Włocławek districts)
• Info-Car service (PWPW) — electronic application
• Regulations on medical examinations for candidate drivers (200 zł fee)

As of: September 2026.