Exchanging your first driving licence after two years
When to exchange it, whether you will have to retake the exams, where to do it, which documents to bring and how much it costs.
- 2 years
- the first driving licence is valid for
- ≈ 650 UAH
- exchange: 420 UAH for the blank and 230 UAH for the service, plus the bank fee
- ≤ 2
- administrative road-rule offences in two years — and exchange without exams
- 15 years
- validity of categories A1, A, B, B1, BE in the new licence
When you can exchange it
The first driving licence is issued for two years. You can exchange it for a permanent one only after that term has ended — from the day following the end date in the document, not before.
With or without exams
Without exams
If in two years you committed no more than two administrative offences in the field of road safety and not a single criminal offence under Article 286 of the Criminal Code.
With exams
If there were more offences: the permanent licence is issued only after new theory and practical exams at an MIA service centre.
This is set by paragraph 25¹ of Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 340.
If a driver with a first licence was deprived of the right to drive, the licence is not returned. The right is restored after training at a driving school and both exams, and the licence is issued again for two years.
Where to exchange it
In person
At any MIA service centre. You will be photographed again there.
Online
Through the Driver’s Account (Кабінет водія) or the Diia app. The photo stays the one already in the registers.
At a service centre they try to issue the licence on the day you apply, but by law they have up to five days to produce it. An online application is reviewed within three working days; delivery is separate.
Documents
You can show them in Diia.
- A passport of a citizen of Ukraine or another identity document. If it does not show the place of residence — together with an extract on registration or an internally displaced person (IDP) certificate (довідка ВПО).
- The taxpayer registration number.
- The driving licence you are exchanging.
- The receipt for payment of the service.
- A medical certificate of fitness to drive — it is not required during martial law.
For how long the new one is issued
Categories A1, A, B, B1 and BE — for 15 years. Categories C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1, D1E and T — for 5 years. A driver can have only one valid licence: as soon as the new one is produced, the old one ceases to be valid.
Frequently asked questions
When can I exchange my first licence?
After the two-year term has ended: from the day following the end date in the document, and not before.
Will I have to take the exams?
No, if in two years there were no more than two administrative offences in the field of road safety and no criminal offence under Article 286. Otherwise the permanent licence is issued only after new theory and practical exams.
Where can I exchange my licence?
At any MIA service centre — you will be photographed again there. Or online through the Driver’s Account (Кабінет водія) or the Diia app: then the photo stays the one already in the registers.
How long do I wait for the new licence?
At a service centre they try to issue it on the day you apply, but by law they have up to five days to produce it. An online application is reviewed within three working days; delivery is separate.
For how many years is the new licence issued?
Categories A1, A, B, B1 and BE — for 15 years; C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1, D1E and T — for 5 years.
Can I hold two driving licences?
No. A driver can have only one valid licence: as soon as the new one is produced, the old one ceases to be valid.