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Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration: Translation Requirements for Documents in Another Language
Only approved translators: Maryland MVA takes translations from its approved listing or a court translator, or on the letterhead of the embassy or the State's contracted translator.
Who may translate: Only those four; IDP also for a foreign license
How we know · policy checked on October 31, 2026
Maryland's MVA says a document translation must be prepared by an MVA approved provider or court translator, or be on the letterhead of the embassy of the country of origin or of the translator contracted by the State.
We read the listing revised October 14, 2026 and eVerbary is not on it. A foreign license not in English needs either an International Driving Permit or a translation by an approved MVA translator.
Maryland MVA at a glance
Does it accept eVerbary? Approved list only
No, not from eVerbary. A translation from a professional service counts for the MVA only through one of the four routes the MVA names. eVerbary is not on the approved listing, so do not count on a translation from us for this office. Policy checked on October 31, 2026.
- Translation
- Approved list, court, embassy or State contractor
- Who may translate
- Only those four; IDP also for a foreign license
- Foreign license
- Five reciprocal countries for class C
Checked on October 31, 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page. Policies change: confirm on Maryland MVA's own page before you submit.
Worth knowing about Maryland MVA
Four routes
Approved provider, court translator, embassy letterhead or State contractor.
IDP or translation
A foreign license not in English needs one or the other.
Five reciprocal countries
South Korea, France, Germany, Taiwan and Japan, for class C only.
Maryland MVA requirements in detail
Translation
The original must accompany the English translation, which must come from an MVA approved provider or court translator, or be on the letterhead of the embassy of origin or the State's contracted translator (Interpreter and translator provider requirements).
What it must show
Typed or printed name of the translator, telephone number and signature (Interpreter and translator provider requirements).
Approved listing
A 33-page PDF by language, revised 10/14/2026, with each provider's ID number and counties served; eVerbary does not appear on it (read October 31, 2026) (Approved Interpreter/Translator Providers Listing, revised 10/14/2026).
Branch staff check the list (Interpreter and translator provider requirements).
Foreign license
If not in English, it must come with an international driver's license or be translated by an approved MVA translator (International Movers).
No license in hand
Present a driving record from the issuing authority, with an apostille or a letter from the country's embassy verifying it (International Movers).
Tests
A knowledge test and a driving test, unless waived: valid licenses from U.S. territories, Canada or France (expired a year or less), and agreements with South Korea, France, Germany, Taiwan and Japan (International Movers).
Test languages
The class C knowledge test comes in 17 languages, including Spanish, Amharic, Arabic, Hindi, Nepali and Yoruba (Accessibility and accommodations).
Vehicle title
Foreign registration documents must be translated through the embassy, in the country of registration or in Washington DC, with the embassy seal (Overseas vehicles). This is stricter than the license rule.
The four routes, and what the reciprocity rule asks
The MVA's provider requirements page lists the routes in one short rule: a document prepared by an MVA approved provider or court translator, on the letterhead of the embassy of the country of origin, or on the letterhead of the translator contracted by the State.
The page does not name the State's contractor, so ask the MVA who it is. The accessibility page also points to the State of Maryland Court Interpreter Registry.
Under a reciprocity agreement, a translation may not be needed at all.
The International Movers page says the license needs the translation document if the issue date, expiration date, date of birth and applicant name are not in English.
Those applicants still present an international license or a translation from the approved listing when required, and the MVA scans it into the transaction.
Reciprocity with five countries
Maryland has agreements with South Korea and France (December 16, 2010), Germany (May 10, 2011), Taiwan (June 17, 2013) and Japan (January 4, 2016).
For applicants 18 or older getting a non-commercial class C license, the knowledge and driving skills tests are waived; learner's permits, class M and commercial licenses are outside the agreement (International Movers).
An expired license means the vision, knowledge and skills tests, except that licenses from France and Japan may be expired less than a year.
Vision screening and the 3 Hour Roadway Safety Driving Education Program certificate are still required.
German and French licenses are surrendered and returned to the issuing country, unless you opt out by taking all tests (International Movers).
Interpreters at the knowledge test
If the MVA offers the knowledge test in your language, you must attempt it at least three times before an interpreter can be used (Accessibility and accommodations).
Interpreters may not work for family members or for CDL knowledge or skills tests, and may not solicit on MVA property; in-person providers show a photo ID and branch staff check that they are on the list (Interpreter and translator provider requirements).
Documents people usually translate
- Foreign driver's licenses not in English
- Foreign driving records, with an apostille or embassy letter
- Other foreign documents presented to the MVA
- Foreign vehicle registration documents, through the embassy only
What to do in Maryland
Find a provider for your language in the Approved Interpreter/Translator Providers Listing. Check the counties column and that the entry says Translator, since some are interpreters only.
Or use another route the MVA names: a court translator, your country's embassy letterhead, or the State's contracted translator. For a foreign license, an international driver's license is also accepted (International Movers).
Use the online document guide to see what else to bring, then call the MVA at 410-768-7000 if you are unsure about a document (Accessibility and accommodations).
If you are from a reciprocity country, bring your license, translation if required, and the 3-hour program certificate (International Movers).
What we do not do
eVerbary translates documents; it is not the DMV and does not issue licenses, International Driving Permits or REAL ID decisions.
For the Maryland MVA we do not provide a translation from its approved listing, and we do not issue licenses or International Driving Permits or get driving records from abroad.
Need a certified translation for another office?
A certified translation from eVerbary can still be useful for a different office, such as USCIS or a court; see certified translations.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Maryland MVA accept a translation from eVerbary?
No. It takes translations from its approved listing, a court translator, the embassy or the State's contractor, and eVerbary is not on the listing (Interpreter and translator provider requirements, listing).
Can I use an International Driving Permit instead of a translation?
For a foreign license, yes: the MVA accepts an international driver's license or a translation by an approved MVA translator (International Movers).
Which foreign licenses skip the tests in Maryland?
Valid licenses from U.S. territories, Canada and France, not expired more than a year, and licenses under the agreements with South Korea, Germany, Taiwan and Japan (International Movers).
What if I do not have my foreign license?
Present a driving record from the issuing authority, with an apostille or a letter from your country's embassy (International Movers).
Can I bring an interpreter to the knowledge test?
Only after at least three attempts if the MVA offers the test in your language, and not for CDL tests (Accessibility and accommodations, requirements).
Who translates a foreign vehicle title?
Foreign registration documents go through the embassy, with its seal (Overseas vehicles).
Sources
Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration's own pages, read on October 31, 2026.
Need a certified translation for another office?
A certified translation from eVerbary can still be useful for a different office, such as USCIS or a court; see certified translations.