If migrants want to drive their cars in any of the 51 states in the US, they should submit their translated driver’s license to the Department of Transportation or the Department of Motor Vehicles of the state in which they live. Each of the states has different prerequisites in terms of the translation of a foreign license. Some states do not require translations for a foreign license. The applicant should complete the prerequisites for the translation before they can roam around the place with their cars. This blog will discuss the necessary forms of each state for a foreign driver’s license.
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DMV Alabama
The state of Alabama does not require a foreign driver’s license to be translated into English. It’s Motor Vehicle Division only requires a valid original or certified copy of the applicant’s license from the issuing agency. The applicant’s social security number for residents and the proof of temporary residence for non-residents should be presented to the division.
https://revenue.alabama.gov/motor-vehicle/
https://www.alea.gov/dps/driver-license
-doesn’t accept translation; clients need to provide the original copy of the documents
-clients from another country need to show their passport and proof of residency
DMV Alaska
Alaska requires the translation of all primary and secondary documents to be translated into English. The Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles requires a Certificate of Accuracy of Translation by the language interpreter.
CERTIFICATE OF ACCURACY OF TRANSLATION
DMV Arizona
In Arizona, migrants should go through the complete driver’s license application again. The licenses from their home countries will be changed to English, but certification is not necessary.
https://azdot.gov/motor-vehicle-services
https://azdot.gov/sites/default/files/2019/05/ada_titlevi_services_training_coordinator.pdf
Foreign license must be translated into English – no certification needed.
DMV Arkansas
It is necessary for migrants to apply for new driver’s license just like the locals. It is necessary for them to present papers that prove that they can legally stay in the US. Applicants are allowed to use their foreign driver’s authorization for a certain period, but they should apply for permission to drive.
DMV California
The state requires all documents in English with the proper conversion certificates. It only accepts original or certified copies of the papers from the issuing agency. It is important for the applicant’s names and date of birth to be registered in the Social Security Administration. Supporting documents for the application should be translated.
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv
The DMV will only accept original documents or certified copies from the issuing agency. All documents must be in English or be presented with a verifiable exact English translation. Your legal name and date of birth on documents presented to the DMV must match Social Security Administration records. Translation of documents that are in a language other than English and without English subheadings, submitted in support of an application or petition, must include complete translation into English. The certified translation must have a separate page on the letterhead of a certified translation company.
DMV Colorado
The state requires the documents to be translated by a with the proper certificates from an accredited translation agency.
a translation needs to be accompanied by a certificate of accuracy signed by the translator of an accredited translation agency.
DMV Connecticut
Connecticut requires language conversions by their approved language interpreters. Its DMV requires valid/unexpired, original documents or certified copies.
If any document presented is in a language other than English, it must be translated by a DMV-Approved Translator.
Approved Translators List:
https://portal.ct.gov/DMV/Licenses/Licenses/Approved-Translator-List
DMV Delaware
It allows foreign driver’s authorization without language conversion. It requires the original license from the issuing agency or a certified copy.
must be translated into English by a professional translator and accompany the original foreign language document. DMV will verify, scan and store images of all presented documents.
DMV Florida
Applicants should submit their original documents or certified copies to the issuing agency for their authorization. The interpretation from the native language to English should be notarized in Florida.
translation should be certified and notarized in the state of Florida
DMV Georgia
Georgia doesn’t require language conversions of driver’s authorization. If you want to drive in Georgia, it is important that you submit the original or certified copies of your driving authorization papers.
The Department of Driver Services does not accept translated documents. If a non-US Citizen establishes residency
DMV Idaho
The same documents are essential in the state of Idaho, but you need to include your proof of legal presence. The applicant will present IDs and residency, and they should convert their papers to English.
Regular certified translation is accepted, no translator form needed
DMV Illinois
In Illinois, we are advised to have our home country permit translated into English. The state requires a certificate of accuracy by accredited language conversion firms.
https://www.idrivesafely.com/dmv/illinois/
It is advisable to have your home country license translated into English and have the translation certified if the license is not written in English with a certificate of accuracy issued by an accredited translation agency
DMV Indiana
The state of Indiana requires the conversion of a driver’s pass. Applicant’s names and date of birth need to match the records of the Social Security Administration when it is presented to the DMV. It also requires language conversions of all non-English papers without English subheadings submitted in support of a petition should be changed to English. The DMV requires the translations to be written on a different page on the letterhead of a certified language conversion firm. The interpretations should include a signed statement from the interpreter indicating that the conversion is complete and accurate. The interpreter will prove that he or she is competent to convert and state that the document has not been translated for a family member, friend, or business associate.
A diver’s license that is not of the United States, cannot be used to settle your identity. Out-of-country driver’s license must be in English or presented with a verifiable, accurate English translation of the document.
If you have an out-of-country driver’s license and intend to become an Indiana resident and also wish to obtain an Indiana driver’s license, you must provide an English translation of your driver’s license or your International Driving Permit. You must also pass the vision screening, written knowledge examination and driving skills examination to obtain an Indiana driver’s license.
DMV Iowa
The state of Iowa does not require language conversions of the driver’s permit. It is necessary for them to submit their Original or Copies Certified by the Issuing Agency.
A student who has a permanent residence and a valid driver’s license in another state or country may operate a motor vehicle on Iowa roadways without obtaining an Iowa driver’s license. A student is required to possess a driver’s license while operating a motor vehicle and may need to have the license translated into English if not already in English.
DMV Kansas
Kansas has the same prerequisites with Iowa.it only require Original or Copies Certified by Issuing Agency without the necessity for language change.
https://www.idrivesafely.com/dmv/kansas/
Documents Must be Original or Copies Certified by Issuing Agency, no translation of license needed
DMV Kentucky
Kentucky allows migrants to drive around the state as long as their home country is part of the Foreign License Reciprocity. The US will enable citizens of FLR member nations to drive around the 51 states for up to one year from the date of admission into the United States as long as they have their valid foreign license and International Permit. Applicants from non-fLR countries need to apply for a Kentucky license within 30 days of establishing residency in Kentucky. Applicants are required to take the written, vision, and road tests.
https://www.idrivesafely.com/dmv/kentucky/
All non-U.S. citizens must also provide proof of residency in Kentucky. Kentucky law defines “residency” as a person who has established Kentucky as his or her state of domicile within the last 30 days. Proof of residency shall include, but not be limited to, a deed, property tax bill, utility agreement, utility bill, or housing agreement.
DMV Louisiana
Louisiana only allows permits to residents. Foreign licenses need to be completed by language interpreters approved by Louisiana’s DMV.
https://driversed.com/dmv/louisiana/
To register a vehicle purchased from out-of-country: must provide a certified English translation of any document printed in any language except English.
Louisiana only allows permits to residents. Foreign licenses need to be completed by language interpreters approved by Louisiana’s DMV
DMV Maine
There is no necessity for a language interpreter in Maine. Petitioners only need to submit their Original docs or certified copies by issuing agency to obtain a permit to drive.
https://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/
The license is only issued to residents. Maine DMV: Original docs or certified copies by issuing agency in order to apply for license, no translation is needed.
A birth certificate (applicants under the age of 23 ONLY). A photocopy with an embossed seal or stamp of the issuing agency is acceptable, but notarized copies are not accepted. This document will be returned to you. Alternatively, copies of the identity documents are acceptable to send via mail, with originals to be shown at the time of the examination.
DMV Maryland
You need to get a language interpreter if you want to convert your driver’s permit in Maryland. Petitioners are advised to contact their embassy for their English conversions. The license needs to be translated by the Embassy if the language is not in the lists of approved translators or interpreters.
http://www.mva.maryland.gov/drivers/apply/translation-providers.htm
If your identity documents and/or driver’s license are not in English, the document(s) must be translated by an MVA-approved Interpreter/Translator. A foreign-issued license does not need to be translated if accompanied by an international driver’s license.
MVA’s Approved Interpreter/Translator Provider Listing
http://www.mva.maryland.gov/_resources/docs/drivers/int-trans-list.pdf
DMV Massachusetts
Your papers need to be accompanied by a translation certified by a bilingual teacher at an accredited Massachusetts college, university, or private language school, by a bilingual notary public, or by the local consulate for the document’s country of origin if it is not written or printed in English.
https://www.idrivesafely.com/dmv/massachusetts/
If the foreign license is not in English or does not have an English translation, it must have one of the following:
- An International Driving Permit (IDP)
- A Translation into English of a Foreign License document or similar acceptable translation
- An alternative translation document that contains a photo and English translation that closely matches the information from an IDP
Translation into English of a Foreign Driver License Form
DMV Michigan
Michigan needs documents changed into English, which needs to be certified or with an International Driving Permit. Petitioners don’t need a translation at all. If their foreign permit is in English or has English on the back.
https://www.idrivesafely.com/dmv/michigan/
A passport, driver’s license, birth certificate, marriage license or divorce decree from another country may be accepted as an identity document when applying for a Michigan driver’s license or state identification card. If the information on the document is not in English, a translation must be provided.
DMV Minnesota
The state also obliges language change of driver’s permit, which needs to be accomplished by a language interpreter recognized by its DMV.
https://www.idrivesafely.com/dmv/minnesota/
Certificate of Translation and Translator Qualifications
https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/forms-documents/Documents/Certificate_of_Translation_Form.pdf
DMV Mississippi
Petitioners need to provide their officially-translated documents, and they need to prepare for fees. The language change needs to be done by a state-registered professional.
https://www.secstates.com/MS_DMV_Mississippi_Department_of_Motor_Vehicles
Certified birth certificate with English translation on university letterhead
DMV Missouri
The state of Missouri obliges the translation of documents done by an ATA-certified language interpreter.
The state of Missouri obliges the translation of documents done by an ATA-certified language interpreter.
DMV Montana
Applicant’s authorized presence in the U.S. will be verified using the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system to attain a Montana driver’s permit or an ID card.
DMV Nebraska
The state of Nebraska needs language change from state-registered interpreters.
• Staff may request translation of any foreign-based document by a DMV-approved translator.
Foreign Language Translations:
Translations must be typed or printed on letterhead (if an agency is represented), dated and signed (a notary public is not required). Only translations of marriage licenses can be used. The customer should retain the translated document. The translator does NOT have to be present when the applicant is using a translated document as proof of identification. Both the original document and the translation must be presented to staff and placed on file bound
DMV Nevada
Petitioners need to submit their translated papers by state-approved language converters with a certificate of accuracy.
*The license must be translated by an approved translator with a certificate of accuracy
Translator’s Certificate of Accuracy
https://dmvnv.com/pdfforms/dmv502.pdf
DMV Approved Translators (Nevada)
DMV New Hampshire
The same prerequisites are essential in the state of Hampshire. It obliges language conversion.
https://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/dmv/index-original.htm
Non-US Citizen > Temporarily Residing in New Hampshire
A notarized translation is required if these documents are not in English. Please note that an International Driving Permit is not acceptable for this requirement.