Exchanging a Driver's License for a Serbian One: A Complete Guide

Why and When Do You Need to Exchange Your License in Serbia?

Foreigners who have obtained a residence permit in Serbia are legally allowed to use their national driver's license for 12 months. This period starts from the date of the residence permit application. After one year, driving with a foreign license is considered equivalent to driving without a license, leading to fines and serious issues with insurance companies in the event of an accident.

Exchanging your license for a Serbian one becomes necessary not just for legal reasons. A local license serves as an additional identification document accepted by many financial services and neobanks. Moreover, if you lose a Serbian license, it can be easily reissued locally, whereas recovering a lost Russian license would require returning to the Russian Federation.

• Expiration of the 12-month period for legally using a foreign license after obtaining a residence permit.
• Expiration of your national driver's license.
• Simplifying the license exchange process in the future if you move to certain EU countries (e.g., Germany).
• Avoiding problems with insurance payouts in case of an accident.
• Obtaining an additional local document for identity verification.

Who Can Exchange a License and Which Licenses are Eligible?

The key requirement for exchanging a driver's license is having a Serbian temporary or permanent residence permit. Without this status, the procedure is not possible. You can exchange not only Russian licenses but also those issued by other countries, provided the issuing country is a signatory to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. In this case, retaking the theory and practical exams is not required.

The exchange procedure applies to various situations. You can even exchange a license that was previously exchanged in another country (for example, a Russian license exchanged for a Georgian one). The main condition is that the country that issued the current license must be a signatory to the Vienna Convention.

Even expired licenses are eligible for exchange, but only if a legislative act (law or decree) extending their validity is in effect in the country of issuance. This will require providing an official translation of that document.

Required Documents for License Exchange

To successfully exchange your license, you need to prepare a complete set of documents. The absence of any item may lead to the rejection of your application.

• Valid foreign driver's license (the original will be confiscated).
• Translation of the driver's license (both sides) by an accredited court interpreter.
• Medical certificate (Lekarsko uverenje) for the required categories. The certificate is valid for 6 months.
• Copy of the first page of your international passport.
• Original international passport for verification.
• Proof of residence permit: a printout from the ID card or a copy of the passport page with the visa sticker ('nalepnica').
• Receipt for payment of the state fee of 12,205 RSD.

It is important to pay attention to the medical certificate. The validity period of the new license will match the period specified in the certificate. To get a license for the maximum term (up to 10 years), make sure there are no restrictive notes on the certificate. During the medical examination, which includes an ophthalmologist, psychologist, psychiatrist, and general practitioner, you need to ensure all necessary categories are listed, including equivalents of Russian ones (e.g., category M in Russia corresponds to AM in Serbia).

Specifics of Exchanging Expired Russian Licenses

If your Russian driver's license has expired but its validity has been extended by relevant decrees of the Government of the Russian Federation, it can be exchanged for a Serbian one. However, this requires providing a court-certified translation of these decrees.

Both translations must be attached to the main set of documents. It's important to note that only in Belgrade, exchanging an expired license may additionally require a translation of an extract from the official website of the Russian State Traffic Inspectorate, confirming your license's validity.

Step-by-Step Guide to Submitting Documents

The document submission process for license exchange takes place at the police department for foreigners (SUP). It's important to adhere to the dress code: entry is not permitted in shorts, skirts above the knee, sportswear, or flip-flops.

1. Gather the complete set of documents, including originals and copies, the medical certificate, and the paid receipt.
2. Go to the appropriate SUP office. In Belgrade, it's at Omladinskih brigada 1; in Novi Sad, it's Sremska 1. It is recommended to arrive at opening time to avoid long queues.
3. Submit your documents at the correct window (in Belgrade, these are booths 8-9). An officer will check the documents, take your photo, and ask for an electronic signature.
4. After your documents are accepted, you will be given a confirmation slip. From this moment, you cannot drive, as your old license has been confiscated and the new one is not yet ready.
5. Return for your finished license on the appointed day (usually after 7 days). In Belgrade, to receive it, you need to go to office F-6 and place your confirmation slip in a special tray.

After you receive your Serbian driver's license, your old one will be sent to the country that issued it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many related questions arise during the license exchange process. The answers to the most popular ones will help you better understand all the nuances of the procedure.

If you do not plan to drive in Serbia, exchanging your license is not mandatory. The option to exchange it remains even after the 12-month period of residence has passed.

Alternative: Training at a Serbian Driving School

If exchanging your license is not possible for some reason, or if you want to get a license from scratch, you will have to complete a full training course at a Serbian driving school. This process is significantly longer, more complex, and more expensive than a simple exchange.

• A residence permit is mandatory at all stages (theory, practice, exams).
• Theory and practical training are conducted only in person and in Serbian.
• You must pass separate exams for theory, first aid, and driving (on a closed course and in the city).
• The total cost of training, including exams and retakes, can reach up to 1000 euros.
• The process of obtaining a first-time license takes from 4 to 12 months.

After successfully passing the exams, a temporary ('probationary') license is issued for two years with serious restrictions: a ban on night driving, a speed limit, and a ban on driving high-powered vehicles. Only after this period expires can you obtain a permanent driver's license.