1. Recognition of driving licences
2. Exchange of a driving licence
3. Renewal of a driving licence
4. Which office should be contacted?

1. Recognition of driving licences

Recognition of driving licences issued in another EU Member State

For driving motor vehicles, the Slovak Republic recognises all driving licences issued by a state that is a Contracting Party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area.

Recognition of driving licences issued in third countries

For driving motor vehicles, the Slovak Republic recognises valid driving licences issued by a state that is a Contracting Party to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic or a Contracting Party to the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic.

Recognition of driving licences issued by other EU Member States based on driving licences issued by non-EU Member States

For driving motor vehicles, the Slovak Republic also recognises a valid driving licence of a state that is a Contracting Part to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, issued due to the exchange of a driving licence issued by a non-EU Member State.

Documents required for recognition of driving licences

For driving motor vehicles on the territory of the Slovak Republic, no other documents are required for recognition of driving licences issued by another state.

2. Exchange of a driving licence

If you move to another EU Member State, you don't usually have to exchange your driving licence for a local one. However, you can voluntarily exchange it for an equivalent driving licence in your new country of residence, if you wish.

You have to be residing in the respective country and meet the conditions for getting a driving licence (e.g. you have reached the minimum age, your health condition allows you to drive, etc.).

Citizens shall submit a valid driving licence issued in an EU Member State with their applications and meet other legal requirements.

Citizens may request that their driving licence be exchanged after 185 day from having been granted or having registered residence, namely at an office issuing documents according to the place of residence. In order to apply for the exchange, it is necessary to present a valid driving licence. The regular fee is EUR 6.50, while at explicit request, it is possible to request expedited issuance of the driving licence within 2 days, in which case the fee is EUR 26.

3. Renewal of a driving licence

If you move to Slovakia and administrative validity of your EU driving licence expires, you will have to renew it in this country, if you have normal residence here (more than 6 months per year).

You will get a new driving licence in standard format (plastic, credit card-sized photo card). Your new driving licence may have a different period of administrative validity than your previous licence, and will be subject to all restrictions/conditions applicable in your new country.

Renewal of a driving licence further requires information from the state that issued the driving licence, confirming that a driving licence with specified entitlements to drive was issued; this does not apply if the required information for renewing a driving licence can be verified by automated data search. The required information shall be translated into the national language.

4. Which office should be contacted?

For information or advice on getting a driving licence or recognition of driving licences issued by other states for driving on the territory of the Slovak Republic, contact the Department of Traffic Police of the Police Force Presidium (odpppz@minv.sk, Tel: + 421 (0)9610 50 221) or any traffic inspectorate.

Explanatory laws:

• Act No 8/2009 on road traffic;
• Implementing Decree No 9/2009;
• Act No 145/1995 on administrative fees;
• Directive 2006/126/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on driving licences;
• Commission Decision 2016/1945 on equivalences between categories of driving licences.