How to get official translation of driver's license for the DMV in USA

What is a DMV-Approved Translation?

A DMV-approved translation is a certified translation of a foreign driver's license that meets the specific requirements set by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent vehicle licensing agency in each U.S. state. This translation ensures that the foreign driving license is accurately and officially represented in English. It also allows the DMV to verify the license holder's driving credentials and authorise legal driving within the state.

The certification process involves a professional translator or translation company providing a signed certificate of translation accuracy, attesting that the translated document is a true and complete representation of the original. Sometimes you might have to include notarised translation, depending on the DMV's requirements. The translated document becomes an official legal document accepted by the DMV and other government bodies for legal purposes such as license conversion, driving tests, or permit applications.

Since the DMV is a government body responsible for vehicle registration and driver licensing, you must provide an accurate translation that complies with their standards to avoid delays or rejection. Many DMVs provide guidelines on how to get your driving license translated and certified, and some maintain lists of approved top translation companies or translators to assist applicants.

What is the DMV license translation process?

Below, we will share the meticulous steps you should follow to get a certified driving license translation the DMV in the USA.

Visit the DMV Closest to You

When you need to translate your driver's license for the DMV, the first thing you should do is talk to your local DMV office. This step is very important because each DMV office might have different rules and things they want you to do.

1. You need to know where your nearest DMV office is. This is the place where you will take your translated driver's license later.
    
2. Every DMV office might ask for different things. So, you should ask them what exactly they need from you. They will tell you how your license should be translated, what details must be included, and if there are any special forms you need to fill out.
    
3. Sometimes, the DMV has a list of translation services they trust and want you to use. It’s good to ask them about this. If they recommend certain translators or services, it means your translated license is more likely to be accepted without problems.

Additionally, inquire about the DMV driving test and DMV written test, as your translated license will be crucial for these assessments. Understanding their format and requirements can better prepare you for obtaining your driver's permit.

Hire accredited translator for Your Drivers License translation

After you've talked to your local DMV office and know what they need, the next step is to actually get your driver's license translated. Here’s how you do it:
 

1. Choose a Certified Translator: You need to choose a certified translator or a certified translation service in USA that is recognized by the DMV.
   
    
2. Ask for a Quote and Delivery Time: Before you agree to anything, ask the translator how much it will cost to translate your license. This is called getting a quote. Also, ask how long it will take them to translate your license. You need to know this so you can plan when to go back to the DMV.
   
    
3. Send an Electronic Copy of Your License: You usually don’t need to give them your actual license. Instead, you can send them an electronic copy, like a scanned image or a clear photo of your license.
   
    
4. Check the Translation: Once the translator has finished, make sure the translation is correct and has everything on it. It should have all your personal information, license details, and any special notes that were on the original license.

Everything that is on your original license needs to be translated. Nothing should be left out. The DMV will check this.  

Notarizing the certified translation of driver's license 

Not every DMV office asks for this, but some do, so it's important to find out if you need to do it.

Notarization is when a special official called a notary public checks your translated document. The notary makes sure the translation is true and correct. Then, they put a special stamp or seal on the document to say it has been checked and is official. This helps the DMV trust that the translation of your license is good and accurate.

Remember when you first talked to the DMV in Step 1? This is where that information is really important. Some DMVs will tell you if you need your translation notarized. If you're not sure, it's a good idea to ask them again.

Why Check? You need to check because if your DMV needs notarization and you don't get it, they might not accept your translated license. But if they don't need it, you can save time and money by not doing it.

Submit your driver's license and its certified translations

Now that you’ve done the certified translations, the next step is to submit both the original license and the translation to the DMV. This step is crucial for the DMV to compare and verify the information.

The DMV needs to see your original driver's license to make sure it's real and valid. They will look at things like your photo, the issue date, and any official stamps or seals on it, while the translated document is needed so the DMV staff, who may not understand the language of your original license, can read and understand all the information on it. Note, that your original license will be given back to you after they confirm the details on the translated version. It's a good idea to keep copies of both your original document and the translation for your records.

Verification and Approval

After you have translated your driver's license and submitted it to the DMV, they will check it. This step is called "verification." The DMV looks at the translated document to make sure everything is correct and matches the information on your original driver's license. They check things like your name, birth date, and the type of driver's license you have.

If the DMV finds that the translation is good and has all the right information, they will say it's okay. When your translated document is approved, it means the DMV accepts it as a valid version of your driver's license in their language.

In some cases, after approving your translated driver's license, the DMV might give you a new driver's license. This new license will have the information from your original license but in the local language. This is helpful because it lets police, car rental companies, and others know that you are legally allowed to drive.

General DMV Requirements for Translating Your License

Ask your local DMV for information on preparing for the written and driving test, they may require you to take depending on your situation. Some DMVs also offer the option of taking a permit test online, which can be more convenient for most people  

• Certified translators/translations of your foreign documents.
• Notarization requirements (if applicable).
• Additional documents i.e. proof of your address or identification.
• Check if the DMV lets you submit your translated license online, or if you need to go there in person.
• Different DMVs can charge different fees for processing your translated license. It's good to know how much this will cost you ahead of time. We have created a table below that contains the fee range of services you may need from any DMV around the US, as a foreigner.

Steps for finding a DMV certified translator for official documents

Finding a DMV certified translator for your driver's license and other official documents is a crucial step in the translation process. It ensures your driving license translation is accepted by the DMV and other relevant authorities. Here are some detailed steps to guide you through the process:

1. Research Accredited Agencies and Translators
   Start by looking for top translation companies or an accredited translator who can specialize in translating official and legal documents. It's important to choose accredited agencies or translators who have a proven track record of providing accurate translations recognised by the government, a professional body like European Union Association of Translation Companies (EUATC) and official institutions.Verify Certification and Credentials
   Ensure that the translator or agency provides certified translation services, which include a signed statement attesting to the accuracy and completeness of the translation. Some DMVs may require notarised translation or sworn translation, so check if the translator can provide these additional certifications if needed.
2. Check for Experience with DMV Translations
   Choose translators who have experience translating driving licenses and other personal documents specifically for DMV use. This ensures they understand the specific requirements and terminology needed for the translated document to be legally recognised.
3. Request a Free Quote and Turnaround Time
   Contact several translation services to request a free quote based on the word count or page count of your document. Also, inquire about the typical turnaround time and whether they offer express service or same day delivery options if you need your certified translation quickly.
4. Confirm Language and Formatting Requirements
   Verify that the translator can provide translations in the target language required by the DMV and that the formatting will match the original document. This helps maintain an accurate representation of your original driver's license.
5. Submit a Clear Scanned Copy of Your License
   Provide a high-quality scanned copy or clear photo of your original driver's license to the translator. This ensures all details are captured correctly in the translated document.
6. Review the Translated Document
   Once you receive the translated driver's license, carefully review it to confirm that all personal details, license categories, and official markings are accurately translated. If needed, request revisions before final certification.

With these steps, you can secure professional translation services that will provide you with an accredited translator for your foreign driving licence, accepted by the DMV and other authorities for official use.

How much does it cost to get certified translation services for driving licence?

Most of the time, translators charge based on how many words they need to translate, and sometimes, they charge per page. This is a straightforward way to figure out the cost; the more words or pages you have, the more it will cost. Thankfully, a driver’s license has fewer words than most official documents. 

Per word, translation rates range between $0.05 - $0.50 & per page translations, from $20 - $130.

Request a quote to get certified driver's license translation for DMV in USA.