Driver’s Licence Translation into English

Certified translations of foreign driver’s licences for licence exchange, immigration, and official procedures

If your driver’s licence was issued in another language, authorities may require a certified English translation before it can be reviewed or accepted.

Certling provides certified translations of foreign driver’s licences into English for use in licence exchanges, administrative procedures, and immigration processes.

Our translations include a certification statement confirming that the translation is complete and accurate, allowing the document to be submitted to licensing authorities and institutions that require official translations.

You can upload your document and receive an instant quote based on the exact word count.

When Do You Need a Driver’s Licence Translation?

A certified translation may be required when presenting a driving licence issued abroad to an authority in an English-speaking country.

Common situations include:

  • Driver’s licence exchange procedures

  • Administrative verification of driving privileges

  • Immigration applications

  • Car rental verification in some jurisdictions

  • Insurance or legal documentation

  • Driving eligibility reviews

If the licence is not written in English, authorities may require a translation so the details can be verified.

Typical Requirements by Country

United Kingdom (UK)

  • Driving licences are issued and managed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

  • If a foreign driving licence is submitted in the UK and is not in English, a certified English translation may be requested depending on the authority and the purpose.

  • This is commonly relevant for licence exchange, administrative checks, and supporting document reviews.

Ireland

  • Driving licences are handled through the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS).

  • If a foreign licence is not in English, a certified English translation may be needed for exchange or official review.

  • Requirements can vary depending on the application type and the documents being submitted.

United States (USA)

  • There is no single national driving licence authority in the United States. Driver licensing is handled at state level, usually by a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), though the exact name varies by state.

  • For example, states may use names such as DMV, RMV, BMV, MVA, or Department of Licensing.

  • If the licence is not in English, the state authority may ask for a certified English translation.

Canada

  • Canada does not issue driver’s licences through one single federal office. Licences are issued by the government of each province or territory.

  • If a foreign licence is not in English or French, a translation may be required depending on the province and the purpose.

  • Always check the rules of the province where the licence will be presented.

Australia

  • There is no single national driver licensing office for Australia. Driver licensing is handled by each state or territory authority.

  • Examples include Service NSW in New South Wales, VicRoads in Victoria, and the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) in Queensland.

  • If a foreign driving licence is not in English, a certified English translation may be required depending on the state or territory.

New Zealand

  • Driver licensing is managed by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

  • If an overseas licence is not in English, a certified English translation may be required for official use.

  • Always check the exact instructions for conversion or recognition of an overseas licence.

Requirements vary depending on the authority reviewing the document. Always check the instructions of the department, agency, or licensing office where the translation will be submitted.

Getting a certified translation shouldn’t feel confusing, slow, or stressful.

We do things differently

We make certified translations simple with fair pricing, correct certification, and a smooth process from upload to delivery.

Honest Pricing

  • Per-word pricing

  • No page limits or inflated fees

  • Remove extra text and save

  • Dates & numbers are free

  • Instant, transparent quotes

Strong Security

  • Files never leave our care

  • Docs purged on completion

  • Strict access controls

  • ICO-registered

  • Vetted translators

Certified

  • Accepted for official use

  • Tailored to each institution

  • Free updates if required

  • Acceptance guaranteed

  • ATC & ATA member

Step 1

Upload your document

Securely upload images or PDFs directly from your device.

Step 2

Smart scanning

Our system reads your documents and instantly calculates the word count.

Step 3

Remove content

Optional: Remove unnecessary text and only pay for what you need.

Step 4

Translation Certified

Officially accepted in the UK, USA, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand and more.

Other Documents We Translate

Whatever your needs, we provide certified translations for a wide range of documents.

Do I need a certified translation of my driver’s licence?

If your licence is not written in English, authorities may require a certified translation before reviewing or accepting the document.

Can I translate my driver’s licence myself?

Most authorities require translations to be prepared by an independent translator or translation company to ensure accuracy.

Does a driver’s licence translation need to reproduce the layout?

Certified translations must reproduce the information contained in the original document, but they do not necessarily need to replicate the exact visual layout.

How much does a driver’s licence translation cost?

The cost depends on the word count and language pair. Certling provides instant online quotes so you can see the price before ordering.