Transfer your out of state driver's license to Massachusetts

To transfer your out-of-state driver's license to a Massachusetts license, you'll need to:

1. Decide what type of license you want – a REAL ID driver's license (valid for federal purposes) or Standard Massachusetts driver's license (not valid for federal purposes). Go to mass.gov/id to decide.
   • You will need to visit an RMV Service Center with proof of the required documentation:
     • Lawful presence (1 document)
       • If your name differs on the lawful presence document, you must also provide proof of the legal name change
     • Social Security number (1 document)
     • Massachusetts residency (2 documents)
2. Start your application online.
3. Bring your required identification and completed application to an RMV Service Center.

You must convert your driver's education certificate or complete driver's education in Massachusetts, if you are under the age of 18.

If you have a license from Canada, Mexico, or a U.S. territory (including Puerto Rico), you must present a driving record not more than 30 days old. Refer to the More Info section if your Driving Record is not printed in English.

Please note that the RMV participates in the State-to-State (S2S) Verification Service which electronically  checks with all other participating states to determine if you currently hold a driver license or identification card in another state and will notify the state you are transferring from to invalidate that credential. 

If you do not have your out-of-state license to turn-in to the RMV, you will need to provide:

• Acceptable photo ID from the list of acceptable documents
• Certified copy of Driving Record, not more than 30 days old

If your license has been expired more than 1 year, a full test (written and road) and an eye test will be required. If your license is active or is expired for less than 1 year, a written and road test is not required.

To transfer your license, you must have a valid immigration status for at least 12 months.  If your legal immigration status is less than 12 months, you are not eligible to obtain a Massachusetts driver's license.

Driving Records

If you present a driving record that is not written or printed in the English language, the RMV may require the document to be accompanied by a translation that is certified by one of the following:

• A bilingual teacher at an accredited Massachusetts college, university, or private language school

• A bilingual notary public

• The local consulate for the document’s country of origin

• The American Translators Association (the national association of professional translators and interpreters)

If translated by a teacher or consulate, the translation must be printed on the letterhead of the consulate, college, university, or private language school and it must be properly formatted. If translated by a notary, the translation must have the notary’s official seal.