Validity of foreign driving licence

What

If you are holding driving license issued by non EU/EFTA state can use your license in the Czech Republic only if it complies with conditions specified in the Convention on Road Traffic. In that case, you can drive motor vehicles in the Czech Republic in you have a short or long-term visa o a long-term residence permit (up to 1 year). If your driving license does not comply with conditions specified in the Convention on Road Traffic, you need an international driving license or Czech driving license. If you have a permanent or temporary residence permit (exceeding 1 year), you have to replace your driving license with a Czech driving license within 3 months of the issuance of your residence permit.

How

In case, that you have a short or long-term visa or a long-term residence permit (up to 1 year), you should make sure, that your driving license complies with conditions specified in the Convention on Road Traffic (see link below). If it complies, you can use it. If not, you should obtain an international driving license or Czech driving license.

If you have a permanent or temporary residence permit (exceeding 1 year), you have to replace your driving license with a Czech driving license within 3 months of the issuance of your residence permit. The replacement can only be carried out with those driving licenses issued by the foreign country that comply with the standard of driving licenses specified by the Convention on Road Traffic Vienna 1968 and Geneva 1949. If your driving license does not comply with the standard of driving licenses specified by the Convention on Road Traffic, you have to take the courses and training in a driving school, pass driving tests and then apply for issuance of a driving license (see chapter 5.3.1.a steps to get driving licence).

Good to know

Driving and driving license requirement is regulated by Civil Code (Občanský zákoník), Act No. 361/2000 (in Czech): https://www.zakonyprolidi.cz/cs/2000-361

Summary of validity of foreign driving license provides Ministry of Interior (Ministerstvo vnitra) (Czech and English): http://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/third-country-nationals-is-my-license-valid-in-the-cr-may-i-do-i-have-to-replace-it-with-a-czech-driving-license.aspx Information Publication for Foreigners Czech Republic (in English, Ukrainian, Russian, Vietnamese and Mongolian): http://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/information-for-foreigners-in-the-czech-republic.aspx

Where

The Driving License Application or application for replacement of driving license has to be submitted to the applicable municipal authority of a municipality with extended powers according to the place of permanent residence (in Czech): http://ridicske-prukazy.info/obecni-urady-obci-s-rozsirenou-pusobnosti.html

Praha 7, Czech Republic