Complete Ukraine Driving License Requirements for UA - Expert Tips

Requirements

• Minimum age: applicants must be at least 18 years old for a Category B (car) license (16 years for Category A1 and 17 years for Category A).
• Proof of Ukrainian residency: valid internal passport (ID-card) or residence permit for non-citizens must be presented.
• Medical fitness certificate: issued by a licensed medical commission within the last month, confirming no contraindications to driving.
• Completion of accredited driving school: certificate of theoretical and practical training from an SQA-approved driving school.
• Theory exam: pass the standardized computerized test on traffic rules and road signs with a minimum score of 18/
• Practical exam: pass the on-site driving test in real traffic conditions, including maneuvers (parking, reversing) and emergency braking.
• Application form: submit the completed form (ДСЦ № 1) obtained from the Service Centers of MIA.
• Identification photos: two recent 5×5 cm color photos with a light background, no headgear, taken within the last six months.
• Application fee: pay the state duty of UAH 1 000 for a new Category B license (varies by category), presenting the payment receipt.
• Fingerprint registration: provide fingerprints at the Service Center for inclusion in the centralized database.
• License issuance timeframe: standard processing takes up to 20 calendar days; expedited service (if available) can reduce this to 5–10 days.
• Validity and renewal: Category B licenses are valid for 30 years; renew by submitting a new medical certificate and paying the renewal fee before expiration.

Step-by-Step Process

• Confirm eligibility: verify you meet age and residency requirements (18 years old for categories A1, A, B; 19 for C, D; 21 for BE, CE, DE) and hold a Ukrainian passport or valid residence permit to ensure you’re legally entitled to drive in Ukraine.
• Obtain a medical fitness certificate: visit an authorized medical center to complete vision, hearing, neurological, and general health checks — this confirms you don’t have any conditions that could impair safe driving.
• Enroll in a certified driving school: choose a school licensed by the Ministry of Education, register for theory and practical training, and pay tuition fees so you receive the official training log and study materials required for the exams.
• Assemble required documents: collect originals and copies of your passport or ID, tax identification number, medical certificate, proof of school enrollment, 4 recent 5×5 cm biometric photos, and your completed training log to avoid delays at the Service Center.
• Pass the theoretical exam: book your test through the HSCM (Legal Entities State Portal), study the official road rules manual, arrive 15 minutes early with your documents, and score at least 23 out of 30 correct answers to unlock the practical exam.
• Complete practical lessons: practice all mandatory maneuvers (parallel parking, three-point turn, emergency braking) under instructor supervision using the school’s dual-control vehicle to build the skills you’ll demonstrate during the driving test.
• Pass the practical exam: schedule your on-road test via the HSCM portal, bring your instructor and the training vehicle, execute the exam route and maneuvers without critical mistakes to receive the official exam report approving you for license issuance.
• Submit your application at the local Service Center: fill out the driving license application form online or in person, present all originals plus the exam report, pay the state fee (approx. UAH 1 000 for categories A/B), and request expedited service if needed.
• Collect your driving license: return when notified (usually within 5 business days), check that your name, date of birth, and categories are correct, sign the register, and take possession of your new Ukrainian driving license—then you’re legally cleared to drive.

Tips and Best Practices

• Verify Your Residency and ID Documents: ensure your passport, proof of residence (registration certificate), and Ukrainian ID (if applicable) are valid and unexpired—missing or expired documents are the top cause of application delays.
• Obtain a Certified Medical Certificate: undergo the mandatory health check at an approved medical facility and get the form correctly stamped—submitting an unofficial or incomplete certificate leads to automatic rejection.
• Translate and Notarize Foreign Licenses Properly: if converting a non-Ukrainian license, use an officially accredited translator and notarize the translation—failure to do so invalidates your application and forces retesting.
• Prepare Thoroughly for the Theory Exam: study the latest Ukrainian traffic rules and road-sign charts using official practice tests—underestimating local regulations is the most common reason for theory exam failures.
• Choose the Right Vehicle and Inspect It Pre-Test: for the practical exam, book the correct vehicle category (manual or automatic) and perform a full safety check (lights, brakes, tires)—arriving with a faulty car gets you disqualified before you even start.

Conclusion

In summary, securing a Ukrainian driving license involves meeting age and residency criteria, passing a medical check and theory/practical exams, submitting the correct documents and fees, and understanding category-specific rules and validity periods.

Key Points:

• Eligibility: must be at least 18 years old for cars (category B) with Ukrainian residency proof
• Required Documents: valid passport/ID, residence certificate, 3×4 cm photos, medical fitness certificate
• Training & Exams: complete approved driver education, pass theory test at MREO, pass practical road exam
• Fees & Processing: pay state duty (≈UAH 1 000–1 300), expect 1–2 weeks for card-type license issuance
• License Categories: A (motorcycles), B (cars), C/D (trucks/buses), plus subcategories for trailers
• Validity & Renewal: 10-year validity for most categories, renewal requires updated medical and fee payment
• Foreigners & Conversions: holders of EU/EEA licenses may convert without retesting; other nationals follow standard procedure
• International Use: obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) for travel outside Ukraine

By following these steps precisely and preparing all documents in advance, applicants can avoid delays and secure their Ukrainian driving license smoothly.