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Driving Licence Exchange

Exchange of a Driving Licence Issued by an EU Country

Within the European Union, you may hold only one driving licence. Therefore, if you move to another EU country, you generally do not need to apply for a new (local) driving licence. However, you may voluntarily exchange your licence for one issued by your new country of residence.

If you hold a valid driving licence issued by a country outside the European Union and have been granted either permanent residence or a temporary residence permit in the Czech Republic for more than one year, you are generally required to exchange it for a Czech driving licence. The application must be submitted within three months of being granted the relevant residence permit.

In some cases, you are required to exchange your driving licence.

More information is available on the Your Europe portal.

Exchange of a Driving Licence Issued Outside the EU

Whether you can exchange your driving licence depends primarily on whether it complies with the Convention on Road Traffic (Vienna, 1968) or the Convention on Road Traffic (Geneva, 1949).

If your driving licence complies with these conventions, you can generally apply to exchange it for a Czech driving licence.

If your driving licence does not comply with the requirements of these conventions, it cannot simply be exchanged. In such cases, you will generally be required to pass a driving competence examination, provide proof of medical fitness to drive, and meet any other conditions stipulated by law.

Not sure whether your driving licence meets the requirements of these international conventions? Descriptions and sample driving licences issued under the Vienna and Geneva Conventions can be found on the website of the Czech Ministry of Transport.

Some countries are subject to special arrangements. For example, the process for exchanging driving licences issued in Japan, the Republic of Korea, or the United Arab Emirates may differ, and additional or different documents may be required. The latest requirements are published by the Czech Ministry of Transport.

Where to Exchange Your Driving Licence

In Prague, driving licence exchanges are handled by the Driver Registry of the Prague City Hall’s Transport Administration Department.

Driver Registry of the Prague City Hall, Transport Administration Department

Na Pankráci 1685/17

140 00 Prague 4

Business Centrum Vyšehrad

 

You no longer need to bring a passport-style photograph with you. The office will either retrieve your photo from official government records or take one on-site.

A standard driving licence exchange is free of charge and is usually completed within 20 days of application. For an administrative fee, you can also request expedited processing, with the new licence issued within five working days.

Foreign driving licences can only be exchanged if they are still valid. An expired foreign driving licence cannot be exchanged for a Czech driving licence.

16. June, 2026