Living in a new country brings many questions, and one of them is how to drive legally. If you are from Ukraine and live in Slovakia, you need to exchange your Ukrainian driver's license for a Slovak one. This process is clearly regulated, and we will go through it step by step so you can get your new license quickly and without extra costs. All you need is a little preparation and the right documents. Ready? Let's go!
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Who can exchange their license?
Not every Ukrainian in Slovakia can exchange their driver's license right away. Here are the main conditions:
You must have a temporary residence (prechodný pobyt) or permanent residence (trvalý pobyt) in Slovakia.
You must have been in Slovakia for at least 185 days after obtaining or registering your residence.
If you have temporary protection status ("odídenec"), you cannot exchange your license. More details can be found in the law Zákon č. 8/2009 or on the website of the Ministry of Interior of Slovakia.
Step-by-step guide for exchanging your license
Step 1: Check the validity of your Ukrainian license
Before you spend time and money, make sure your license is valid. You can do this online and for free. Go to the website of the Service Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and enter the series, number, and date of issue of your license. Get confirmation that the license is valid. This step is important because if the license is canceled or expired, exchange will not be possible.
Step 2: Get a certificate of validity for your license and get an apostille
For the exchange, you need an official certificate confirming that your license is legal. Here's how to get it:
Contact the Service Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. If you are abroad, a trusted person can do this for you.
Bring with you: Passport (internal or international), identification code (IPI), and the original license (or a copy if the license is lost).
Fill out an application on site. The form will be given to you at the center. The process can take from a few hours to 2–3 days, depending on how busy they are.
To have the certificate recognized in Slovakia, it needs to be prepared for international use. Here's what to do next:
Get an apostille from the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine so the certificate is recognized abroad. Look for the procedure and contacts on the website of the Ministry of Justice or in the guide on Diia.
Translate the documents: Both the certificate with the apostille and the driver's license must be translated into Slovak by a sworn translator in Slovakia. We wrote more about translation and where to find a translator in this article (link).
Cost of translation: Around €20 per page (depends on the translator).
Important: Notarization is not required, only a translation by a sworn translator.
Do you need advice or help with exchanging Ukrainian driver's licenses in Slovakia?
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Step 3: Get a medical certificate in Slovakia
To exchange your license, Slovak authorities require a medical certificate confirming your physical fitness to drive. Make an appointment with your general practitioner in Slovakia and say: "Potrebujem lekárske potvrdenie na vodičský preukaz" (I need a medical certificate for a driver's license). The doctor will check your vision, hearing, and general health. If you need glasses or have medical restrictions, this will be noted in the document. After the examination, you will receive a form confirming your fitness. The cost of the service is €10–€20, depending on the doctor and region.
Step 4: Apply to replace your license
The license exchange takes place at the Okresný dopravný inšpektorát (District Traffic Inspectorate) in your place of residence. To ensure everything goes smoothly, it's worth preparing carefully. Start by gathering documents – this is the foundation, without which you won't be accepted. Here's what you need to have with you:
Valid passport (international or internal).
Residence card (prechodný pobyt/trvalý pobyt).
Ukrainian driver's license, translated into Slovak by a sworn translator.
Certificate of validity of the license with apostille and its translation into Slovak.
Medical certificate from a Slovak general practitioner.
Photograph measuring 3.5 × 4.5 cm (standard document size).
Choose how to submit your documents:
In Slovakia, you can book an appointment in advance or come in person and wait in line. Here's how it works:
Online booking: The most convenient way is to book a specific time so you don't have to wait in line. To do this, use the electronic services on the slovensko.sk portal:
Go to the section "Elektronické služby evidencie vozidiel"
Select the service "Žiadosť o dohodnutie termínu na dopravnom inšpektoráte".
Fill out the form: enter your first name, last name, contact details (phone, email), choose the inspectorate in your place of residence, and the desired date and time of your visit.
After submitting the application, you will receive a PIN code, date, and time of your appointment via SMS or email. You need to enter this PIN at the inspectorate's terminal on the day of your visit to be called on time.
Important: To use electronic services, you need an activated eID (electronic identification on your residence card) and an activated elektronická schránka (electronic mailbox) on slovensko.sk. If your eID is not yet activated, follow these steps:
Go to the alien police department (Cudzinecká polícia).
Do you need advice or help with exchanging Ukrainian driver's licenses in Slovakia?
Leave your request and we can give you free advice and help with this matter!
Book an appointment through the reservation system, selecting the category "doklady/pasy" and the option "Aktivácia BOK/PIN".
Specify the document type as "Identifikačná karta" (there is no option for "Povolenie na pobyt" in the system).
After activating the BOK, log in to slovensko.sk, find the "Aktivovať schránku" button in your electronic inbox, and click it. Activation usually happens instantly.
To work with the portal, purchase a čitačka – a device for reading ID cards, which allows your computer to recognize your residence card. This USB device costs €10–€30 and is sold in electronics stores, for example, Alza. A čitačka is necessary for secure access to electronic services, as it reads the chip on the card, confirming your identity.
If online booking is not for you, come to the inspectorate early in the morning (8:00–9:00 AM), take a ticket from the terminal, and prepare for a wait in line. At the inspectorate, say: "Chcem vymeniť vodičský preukaz" (I want to exchange my driver's license), submit your documents, and fill out the application form (a blank form will be provided; just fill in your details). Your Ukrainian license, even an old one from before 2013, will be taken and sent to Ukraine.
Finally, pay the fee: €6.50 for the standard processing time (license will be ready within 30 days) or €26 for expedited processing (within 2 working days). Payment can be made in cash or by card.
Step 5: Receive your Slovak driver's license
After submitting your documents, you will be told when to pick up your new license. Come to the inspectorate on the appointed day or wait for an SMS/email confirmation. Your new Slovak license will be valid in all EU countries and will correspond to your driving categories. Exchanging your license is not a complicated process, but it requires attention to detail. Here are a few practical tips from us:
Plan everything in advance: The apostille, translation, and medical examination can take up to 2–3 weeks, so start preparing as early as possible.
Make copies: Keep copies of all documents before submitting them, so you have a backup.
⭐️ If you need help with filling out documents, booking an appointment at the inspectorate, or finding a translator – or if you would like to have the license exchange process fully supported – write to us on Telegram. We will help make the process quick and comfortable!
