Information for converting certain foreign driver's licenses

Understand how to convert your foreign driver’s license to a Massachusetts driver’s license. Review instructions on a country-specific basis.

Table of Contents

Canada, Mexico, or the U.S. Territories

You may convert a license from one of these countries or territories if you:

  • Provide a certified driving record (not more than 30 days old) from the country or territory.
  • Take and pass an eye test.
  • Take a written and road test if your license expired more than 1 year ago.
  • 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.

Once the RMV converts your license, you will receive a temporary photo-imaging license. This is valid for 30 days. You will receive a permanent license in the mail.

South Korea

You may convert your Korean driver's license if you meet the following requirements:

  • You have a valid Korean license equal to a Class D driver's license
  • You are at least 18 years of age
  • You must be a Massachusetts resident

You must submit the following to a RMV Service Center:

  • Identification documents
  • A Social Security Number or an acceptable Denial Notice. A Denial Notice must come with proof of acceptable visa status, and an I-94 (Record of Arrival and Departure).
    • Any visa presented must indicate an authorized stay in the U.S. of at least 12 months to be eligible for a MA license or ID card.
    • The I-94 can be a paper copy from the US Customs and border protection, or you can download and print it.
  • New version of the Korean driver's license (with English in the back), which must be turned in to the RMV, who will forward it to the Korean Consulate
  • A Certificate of Driving Record/Certificate of Driver’s License, issued no more than 60 days ago printed in English that shows your license to operate passenger vehicles
  • completed application
  • Applicable fee
     

All documents must be originals, not photocopies.

Germany

You may convert your German driver's license if you meet the following requirements:

  • You have a valid German license equal to a Class D driver's license
  • You are at least 18 years of age
  • You must be a Massachusetts resident

To apply, you must call the Driver Licensing Department at 857-368-8110 to schedule an appointment.

At the scheduled time and place, you must bring the following:

- Identification documents
- A Social Security Number or an acceptable Denial Notice. A Denial Notice must come with proof of acceptable visa status, and an I-94 (Record of Arrival and Departure).

  • Any visa presented must indicate an authorized stay in the U.S. of at least 12 months to be eligible for a MA license or ID card.

  • The I-94 can be a paper copy from the U.S. Customs and border protection, or you can download and print it.
  • View the list of acceptable documents for more information

-Your German driver's license
- A German driver's license translation completed and stamped by the German Consulate

  • This must not be more than 30 days old

- A German driving record from the German Federal Motor Transport Authority

  • Issued no more than 30 days ago

- The completed application
- The applicable fee


All documents must be originals, not photocopies.

All original documents, including your identification documents, driving record, and consulate translation, must be brought with you to the appointment. Customers without the proper documentation will be required to reschedule their appointment.

France

You may convert a valid driver's license to the equal passenger or motorcycle license. You must meet the following requirements:

  • You have a valid license issued by the Republic of France
    • Class B or B1 passenger license or Class A or A1 motorcycle license
  • You are at least 18 years of age
  • You must be a Massachusetts resident
  • Your French license is not expired, suspended, or revoked

You must submit the following to a RMV Service Center:

- Identification documents
- A Social Security Number or an acceptable Denial Notice. A Denial Notice must come with proof of acceptable visa status, and an I-94 (Record of Arrival and Departure)

  • Any visa presented must indicate an authorized stay in the U.S. of at least 12 months to be eligible for a MA license or ID card.
  • The I-94 can be a paper copy from the US Customs and border protection, or you can download and print it
  • View the list of acceptable documents for more information

- Your French driver's license
- A French driver's license translation completed and stamped by the French Consulate or an acceptable translator
- A certified driving record indicating your license to operate passenger vehicles or motorcycles

  • Issued no more than 30 days ago

-A translation of the record from the French Consulate or an acceptable translator
-The completed application
-The applicable fee

You must turn in your French driver's license, which the French Consulate will keep.

All documents must be originals, not photocopies.

Taiwan

You may convert a valid driver's license to the equal passenger or motorcycle license.  You must meet the following requirements:

  • You have a valid license issued by Taiwan
  • You are at least 18 years of age
  • You must be a Massachusetts resident
  • Your Taiwanese license is not expired, suspended, or revoked

You must submit the following to an RMV Service Center:

- Identification documents
- A Social Security Number or an acceptable Denial Notice. A Denial Notice must come with proof of acceptable visa status, and an I-94 (Record of Arrival and Departure).

  • Any visa presented must indicate an authorized stay in the U.S. of at least 12 months to be eligible for a MA license or ID card.
  • The I-94 can be a paper copy from the U.S. Customs and border protection, or you can download and print it.
  • View the list of acceptable documents for more information.

- Your Taiwanese driver's license
- A Taiwanese driver's license translation completed and stamped by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston or an acceptable translator
- A certified driving record indicating your license to operate passenger vehicles or motorcycles

  • Issued no more than 60 days ago
  • A translation of the record from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office or an acceptable translator

- The completed application
- The applicable fee


You must turn in your Taiwanese driver's license, which the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston will keep.

All documents must be originals, not photocopies.

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