Before you start

A valid residence permit and a РНОКПП tax number — the service centre asks for the tax number by name
Your original foreign licence, still valid
A translation of the licence certified in the manner Ukrainian law requires
Confirmation from the issuing state's competent authority, or its embassy or consulate in Ukraine, that the licence was issued and no disqualification is recorded
A Ukrainian driver's medical examination

Step-by-step

1
Check whether your issuing country is a party to the 1968 Vienna Convention
This single question decides whether the process is an afternoon or a driving course. Licences from Convention parties — most of Europe and many other states — are exchanged with no theory or practical exam provided the document conforms. Licences from non-parties, or non-conforming documents, require both exams. The United States is not a party, which is the case that catches Americans out.
OnlineWho: YouAn hour of checking
2
Start the confirmation from your home licensing authority first
This is the slow step. The service centre wants a document from the competent authority of the issuing state, or that state's mission in Ukraine, confirming the licence was issued to you and that you are not disqualified or restricted. From Lviv there is a practical advantage: several countries maintain consulates here, and Poland is close enough that consular appointments across the border are realistic in a way they are not from Kyiv.
In personWho: You, via your home authority or its missionDays to several weeks depending on the country
3
Get the licence translated and notarised
A notarised Ukrainian translation — ask for 'нотаріально засвідчений переклад посвідчення водія'. Lviv's translation bureaux cluster around the notary offices in the centre and turn this around quickly.
In personWho: You, with a translator and notary1-3 days
4
Pass the driver's medical examination
A standard medical commission for drivers at an authorised clinic. Required for every exchange regardless of the issuing country.
In personWho: You, at an authorised clinicHalf a day privately; longer through a state polyclinic
5
Attend an МВС service centre
Go in person with the complete file. Because exchange is available at any territorial centre regardless of registration, checking the queue at a centre in the oblast rather than in the city is a legitimate and commonly used shortcut. If exams apply they are booked and sat at the centre; the Head Service Centre runs a consultation line on (044) 290-19-88.
In personWho: YouSame day for a straightforward exchange; longer where exams apply

Documents you’ll need

Passport or other identity document, plus your residence permit
РНОКПП tax number
The foreign driving licence, with a certified Ukrainian translation
Confirmation from the issuing state's competent authority or its mission in Ukraine
The driver's medical examination certificate

Things most newcomers don’t know

The Vienna Convention question is the whole guide.

Two drivers with identical records get completely different processes — an afternoon versus a practical exam — purely on which country issued the plastic. Establish it before planning anything else.

Source: Головний сервісний центр МВС

Lviv's proximity to Poland makes the home-authority confirmation materially easier.

The one item you cannot accelerate from inside Ukraine is a letter from your own licensing authority or its consulate. Being able to reach an EU consulate in a day rather than a week is a real advantage of doing this from Lviv.

Source: practical, from the border corridor

You can use any service centre in the country, not the one for your address.

The rule is explicit, and Lviv's city centres are busier than the oblast ones. A morning's drive can save a fortnight's wait.

Source: Головний сервісний центр МВС

In January 2026 the МВС publicly denied that new exams were being introduced for exchange and restoration.

The rumour circulated widely enough that the service centres published a piece titled 'Exams are not being introduced'. If you hear it in a Lviv expat group, that is the story.

Source: ГСЦ МВС, 2 January 2026

Common mistakes to avoid

Arriving without the confirmation from your home authority. It is the one document the counter will not work around.
Assuming an International Driving Permit substitutes for exchange. An IDP is a translation, not a Ukrainian entitlement.
Turning up expecting an online service. The МВС says explicitly that online is not possible for this.
Forgetting the tax number — it is on the document list, so licence exchange is gated on the tax registration.

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.