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DVLA Driving Licence

Certified English translations of foreign driving licences, V5C-equivalents, vehicle titles, and bills of sale for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. Required for licence exchange under the Road Traffic Act and DVLA vehicle imports.

Officially Accepted
Certified & Accurate
100+ Languages
From £29.95/page
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Overview
About DVLA Driving Licence Translations

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) accepts certain non-UK driving licences for exchange under the Road Traffic Act 1988. If your licence is not in English, you must submit a certified English translation alongside the application. The DVLA also requires certified translations of foreign V5C (registration) documents and bills of sale when importing or registering a foreign vehicle in the UK.

We translate driving licences from any country, in any language. The translation includes the licence number, all category endorsements, issue and expiry dates, restriction codes, and the bearer's identity details – in the format the DVLA accepts on first submission.

Documents
Documents We Translate

These are the documents most commonly required for DVLA submissions.

🚗
Foreign Driving Licence
For licence exchange
🚙
V5C Equivalent
Vehicle registration
📢
Bill of Sale / Title
Vehicle import
📄
Birth Certificate
Identity verification
🔍
Driving Record
Where DVLA requests it
🏥
Medical Reports
Where medical fitness is questioned
FAQ
DVLA Driving Licence – Frequently Asked Questions
Can I exchange any foreign driving licence at the DVLA?+
Not all. The DVLA maintains a list of “designated countries” whose licences can be exchanged for a UK licence directly. For other countries you must usually take the UK driving test, but you can still drive on your foreign licence for 12 months while you do. In either case, if your licence is not in English, the DVLA requires a certified English translation.
Do I send the original licence or a copy?+
For most licence-exchange applications you send the original licence with your D1 form (and any documents the DVLA specifies). We work from a clear scan or photo – you keep your original until you post your DVLA application.
Does the DVLA require an apostille on a translated licence?+
No. Licence exchange does not require apostille legalisation. Only the certified translation is needed.
What about importing a vehicle from abroad?+
When you import a vehicle into the UK, the DVLA requires certified English translations of any foreign-language registration documents (V5C-equivalents), bills of sale, and original title certificates. We translate all of these in a single order.
How long does a DVLA translation take?+
Standard turnaround is two business days. Same-day rush is available on driving licences (single-page documents) and on most short V5C-equivalents.
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