Hawaii DMV: Certified Translation Requirements for Foreign Driver's Licenses

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If you're planning to drive in Hawaii with a foreign driver's license, it's important to understand the state's specific requirements. Whether you're visiting or moving as a resident, this short guide provides the key information on using or swapping your foreign license, including when a certified translation may be necessary.

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Driving in Hawaii with a Foreign Driver's License
Swapping Your Foreign Driver's License in Hawaii

Driving in Hawaii with a Foreign Driver's License

Hawaii permits foreign visitors from countries that ratified the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (1949) to drive using their foreign driver's license, along with their valid passport. The foreign license may be used for up to one year from the date of entry into the United States, which is indicated by the date stamped in the foreign passport.

To drive in Hawaii with a foreign license, you must meet the following criteria:

Validity of License: The foreign driver's license must be valid and not expired. The driver must carry the license and passport at all times when operating a vehicle.
Age Requirements: Foreign drivers must be at least 18 years old to legally drive in Hawaii.
Duration: Foreign drivers may use their license for up to one year after their entry into the United States.

Limitations and Considerations

It is strongly recommended that foreign drivers possess either an International Driving Permit (IDP) or an official certified translation of their foreign license to avoid any potential language barriers with law enforcement.

Swapping Your Foreign Driver's License in Hawaii

Hawaii has reciprocity agreements with Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, allowing residents from these countries to transfer their foreign driver’s license without needing to take the written or road tests. To qualify for this reciprocity, the following conditions must be met:

Submit a notarized and translated verification letter from the consulate of the applicant's home country.
Provide a valid foreign driver’s license (expired licenses cannot be transferred).
Submit the required REAL ID documents, including proof of legal name, date of birth, legal presence, social security number, and two forms of proof of principal residence in Hawaii.

The transfer process requires an in-person appointment. Applicants will need to surrender their foreign driver's license, which will be invalidated and returned. A temporary license will be issued while the permanent license is mailed within 6-8 weeks.

If you are from a country outside of the reciprocity agreements, you will need to pass both the written and road tests to obtain a Hawaii driver’s license.

For more details on the transfer process, please visit the Hawaii DMV website.

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Driving in Hawaii with a Foreign Driver's License¶

Limitations and Considerations

Swapping Your Foreign Driver's License in Hawaii¶

Driving in Hawaii with a Foreign Driver's License

Swapping Your Foreign Driver's License in Hawaii