For travelers renting a car abroad
Certified Translation of a Driving License
Many car rental desks abroad ask foreign drivers for a certified translation of their license alongside the original. We prepare a translation rental companies can read and check — and we're upfront about what it can't do for you.
What this translation is for
When you rent a car in a country that doesn't recognize your license's language, the rental desk often asks for a certified translation alongside your original license and passport. We translate the license itself — categories, dates, issuing authority, and any restrictions — into the language the rental company requested, with a translator's certification stamp and statement.
What it is not — please read this before ordering
A certified translation is not an International Driving Permit (IDP); if your destination requires an IDP, you get that from an authorized motoring association in your home country, not from us. It also doesn't replace any legal requirement to exchange your license for a local one if you become a resident — that's a separate administrative process with its own rules. And it doesn't guarantee that a specific rental company will accept it: policies vary, so it's always worth checking with them before you travel.
Get your driving license translated before your trip
Upload photos of your license and tell us the destination country — we'll confirm the price, delivery time, and whether a sworn translation is recommended.
Send files nowWho typically asks for it
Car rental companies are the most common requester, especially for licenses issued outside the EU or in a non-Latin script. Some insurers ask for a translated license after an accident claim involving a foreign driver, and occasionally traffic authorities request one during a stop. If you know in advance who's asking and what format they need, mention it in your order — it helps us match the certification to what they expect.
How the process works
Upload clear photos or scans of both sides of your license. We quote price and delivery time, translate and certify the document, and send you a digital PDF you can show on your phone or print. If your rental company insists on a physical stamped original, we post or courier it — but check with them first, since many now accept a printed PDF.
Turnaround and validity
A driving license translation is usually ready within 1 business day, since it's a short, structured document. The translation itself doesn't expire, but it should be re-issued if your license is renewed or its details change. Always carry the translation together with your original license and passport — a translation on its own has no legal standing.
Frequently asked questions
Is a certified translation the same as an International Driving Permit (IDP)?
No. An IDP is a separate official document issued by an authorized motoring association in your home country, valid in countries that recognize the 1949 or 1968 conventions. Our translation is a certified rendering of your existing license, useful where a rental company or authority simply needs to read it in their language.
Will every car rental company accept this translation?
Most that ask for a translated license will accept a certified one, but policies differ between companies and countries, and some may prefer or require a sworn translation, an IDP, or both. We recommend checking directly with your rental company before you travel.
Do you issue International Driving Permits?
No — IDPs are issued only by authorized motoring organizations (in most countries, the national automobile association), not by translation bureaus. If you need one, apply through that organization in your home country before you travel.
Does the translation expire?
The translation itself doesn't have an expiry date, but you should get a new one if your license is renewed, replaced, or its details (address, categories, expiry date) change, since the translation must match the current original.
Can I get a digital copy for my phone and a paper original for the rental desk?
Yes. We always provide a certified digital PDF, and can also post or courier a signed paper original if you or the rental company need it — just mention it when you order.
