Obtaining a driver’s license abroad: procedures and requirements in different countries of the world

In general, the procedure for obtaining a driver’s license is similar in most countries. Usually, you need to attend a local driving school and pass a theory and practical test, but this procedure varies from country to country.

Czech Republic

Basic conditions:

• age – at least 18 years;
• you must be a legal resident of the Czech Republic (refugee status, permanent residence permit, temporary residence permit, student visa, work visa, etc.);
• speak the Czech language at a level sufficient to pass the exam.

Peculiarities of studying and taking the exam (the algorithm is similar to the Ukrainian one):

• obtain a medical certificate and submit it to the educational institution;
• take a theoretical exam in Czech;
• undergo practical training at a driving school (5 theory lessons and 14 driving lessons of 1.5 hours each);
• after passing the practical test, a certificate is issued and a permanent driver’s license is issued within a week.

 

Germany

Basic requirements:

• minimum age – 18 years;
• legal residence in the country;
• it is necessary to pass an eye test and a first aid course;
• the practical exam can be conducted in German (or a simultaneous interpreter can be invited) and the theory exam in German, English, French, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Greek, Romanian, Russian, Croatian, Spanish, Turkish and Arabic.

Study and exam details:

• it is necessary to complete at least 14 hours of theoretical classes;
• there is a limit on the number of attempts to pass the theoretical exam: in case of failure, the next attempt will be in three months (after three months, if the candidate has not succeeded in all three attempts, he must again undergo a medical and psychological examination at the MPU);
• the practical exam begins only after the candidate has passed at least 50% of the theoretical classes;
• in case of failure in the practical exam, the student must attend 10 more practical classes, without limiting the number of attempts, but with a break between them of at least two weeks.

 

Netherlands

Basic requirements:

• have Dutch citizenship or a residence permit (Ukrainians who are under temporary protection are not allowed to take a driving test in the Netherlands);
• age at least 16 years. However, you can only drive a car without supervision from the age of 18;
• proficiency in English or Dutch.

Study and exam features:

• the student must pass a medical examination, a theoretical and practical exam at a driving school;
• the theoretical test consists of 65 questions (25 of which refer to the section “recognition of danger”);
• the practical exam is conducted at the initiative of the driving school.

In the Netherlands, 48% of candidates do not take a written or practical exam at all within one year.

 

United Kingdom (England)

Basic conditions:

• 17 years or older;
• no medical contraindications to driving a car and no visual impairment (glasses or lenses must be worn if there is a deviation of more than 0.5 diopters);
• be a legal resident of the country for at least 185 days.

Features of driving training and passing exams:

• there are no driving schools in Great Britain, and a provisional driving license (which allows you to drive with an instructor or with a person over 21 who holds a driving license) must be obtained before starting practical lessons;
• after receiving a temporary driver’s license, you can start studying theory, practical classes and apply for the exam (minimum waiting period – five weeks);
• theory: 50 questions and 14 videos simulating dangerous road conditions (both parts last 57 minutes);
• after completing the theory, a certificate is issued (valid for two years) for passing the practical exam;
• practical test: vision test, 2 questions about the structure of the car, 40 minutes of driving with hints + 10 minutes of independent driving from point A to point B (a maximum of 15 minor mistakes is allowed);

Canada

Basic requirements:

• be at least 16 years old;
• have the status of a legal resident of the country;
• pass an eye test (at the test center);
• pay the statutory fees.

How to complete the study specialization and pass the exam:

• apply to a driving school;
• get a certificate of completion of the “class 5” driver’s training course;
• pass a theory exam;
• pass a practical exam;
• get a temporary driver’s license valid for 24 months;
• after two years, you will receive a category 5 driver’s license, provided that during the period of validity of the temporary driver’s license you have not had more than four violations and have not driven a car under the influence of alcohol.

Italy

If you have a residence permit, you can apply for a driver’s license yourself at a special motor vehicle office or sign up for driving courses.

Basic conditions:

• be a legal resident of Italy;
• students can study from the age of 14, but cannot get a driver’s license until the age of 18;
• undergo a medical examination by a qualified doctor or at a local medical center.

Peculiarities of studying and taking the exam:

• enroll in a driving school and attend classes;
• pass a theory exam;
• after passing a medical examination, get a “pink leaf” that allows you to take driving lessons;
• complete at least 6 hours of study before taking the practical exam;
• pass a practical test and get a driver’s license.

Denmark

Basic conditions:

• you must have a residence permit in Denmark;
• check the registered address;
• obtain a CPR number (a civil registration number issued to Danish citizens and all persons who have the right to reside in Denmark);
• age from 18 years.

How to undergo special training and pass the exam:

Before obtaining a driver’s license, you must complete the following courses at a driving school:

• 7 hours of traffic rules and first aid theory;
• 28 hours of studying traffic rules;
• 4 lessons on driving and maneuvering on highways;
• 16 lessons on city streets;
• 4 lessons on the slippery road;

Classes are held in English or Danish. At the end of the course, students pass a theoretical and practical exam and receive a driver’s license.

Turkey

Basic conditions:

• the minimum age for obtaining a driver’s license in Turkey is 18 years;
• a health certificate confirming that you can drive a vehicle. It must be obtained from an approved health care facility;
• it is necessary to pass an eye test;
• have a residence permit;

Specifics of training and testing:

• collect the necessary documents;
• apply to a driving school and pass an exam;
• pass a theory exam;
• pass a practical exam;
• get a driver’s license. The driver’s license is valid for 10 years;

Austria

Basic conditions:

• be at least 18 years old; if under 18 years of age, written consent of one of the parents or legal guardian is required;
• proof of identity and place of residence (valid passport, residence permit or Meldzettel registration form);
• valid health certificate (ärztliches Attest).

What is needed to prepare and pass the exam:

• theoretical and practical training at an authorized driving school (Fahrschule) in Austria;
• taking a theoretical exam. To successfully pass the exam, you must get at least 80% of the correct answers;
• taking a practical exam;
• confirmation of car insurance (Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherung) is mandatory before driving;
• pay the theory test, driving test, insurance premium, driver’s license application fee and one-time road tax (motorbezogene Versicherungssteuer).

If you meet all the requirements and pass the theory and practical test, you will receive an Austrian driving license.

Sweden

Basic conditions:

• age at least 18 years;
• you must permanently reside in Sweden or study in Sweden for at least six months;
• do not have a driver’s license issued by another EU member state (or cancel it).

Special qualifications for studying and taking the exam:

• apply for a driver’s license to the Swedish Transport Administration;
• enroll in a Swedish driving school and undergo training;
• get a certificate for passing a theoretical and practical driving test;
• pass a written exam;
• pass a driving test. Prove to the examiner that you can drive a vehicle.

The written test and the driving test are organized by the Swedish Transport Administration.

Romania

Basic conditions:

• the minimum age for obtaining a Romanian driver’s license is 18 years;
• must have legally resided in Romania for at least six months.

Peculiarities of studying and taking the exam:

• the cost of training varies from 230 to 350 euros, depending on the city and type of vehicle;
• to pass the driving test, it is necessary to pass at least 30 hours of practice and at least 24 hours of theoretical and legal training;
• after completing the course, the student must pass two exams: theoretical and practical;
• the theoretical exam is computerized, consists of 26 questions and requires at least 22 correct answers;
• the road test lasts at least 25 minutes, during which time candidates must demonstrate their ability to drive a vehicle correctly and safely. During the test, the following maneuvers must be performed: parking, U-turns and movement in accordance with traffic rules;
• the test can be taken in English, French or German;
• the standard validity period of a Romanian driving license is 10 or 5 years, depending on the category. You can renew your driver’s license without taking an exam.

After obtaining a driver’s license, first-time drivers must affix the sign to the rear window of their vehicle and a yellow disk with a black exclamation mark to the windshield.

Slovakia

Basic conditions:

• age for obtaining a driver’s license – 15-24 years, depending on the category;
• it is necessary to permanently or temporarily reside in the Slovak Republic for at least six months;
• not have a driving ban in another country;
• not have a driver’s license issued in another EU member state.

 

Requirements for studying and passing the exam:

• take a driving course at an authorized driving school in Slovakia. The cost of training is 900-1100 euros;
• pass a theoretical exam (40 questions);
• After passing the theory test, the practical test (driving) takes 7-10 days.

A driving license issued in Slovakia for driving cars with an automatic transmission is not valid for driving cars with a manual transmission. Therefore, this should be taken into account when choosing a driving school.

In addition, you should know that Green Card insurance is a mandatory document for traveling abroad on vehicles with Ukrainian registration. Failure to complete it or its late registration may result in a fine ten times the insurance premium for the current year, as well as confiscation of the vehicle, deportation and further ban on entry into the country. This document can also mitigate the financial consequences.