Guide · Certified translations
Converting a driving licence: translation or classification?
A language translation and classification of driving entitlements answer different questions. Clarify both with your competent licensing authority.
Reviewed on 27 October 2026
The short answer
Ask the licensing authority whether it needs a translation, classification or both, and which issuers it accepts. Translation renders the licence’s content in another language. Classification identifies the corresponding driving entitlements. A certified translation alone is therefore not automatically the complete set for conversion.
Check requirements at your place of residence
State the issuing country and existing licence categories. The federal portal directs applicants to the competent licensing authority because additional evidence depends on the country and licence category.
Ask for an unambiguous description of the required service. Terms from a travel forum or an offer for another issuing country should not replace the instructions for your assignment.
Read more: Federal administration portal: converting a foreign driving licence
Recognise classification as a separate service
ADAC describes translation and classification as distinct services. Simply translating the printed categories does not necessarily satisfy an expressly requested classification.
If both are needed, ask about the complete scope and available issuers. Do not assume a translation estimate automatically includes classification.
Read more: ADAC: driving licence translation and classification
Provide front, reverse and supporting records
Prepare legible images of both sides. Pay particular attention to issue date, validity details, categories and restrictions; obscured entries make it harder to establish scope.
Keep the authority’s answer with the final set. The translation itself determines neither conversion nor examinations or other personal eligibility requirements.
Your next steps
Identify the issuing country and licensing authority.
Clarify translation, classification and accepted issuers.
Provide the complete front and reverse.
Order only the expressly agreed scope.
More questions
Does every licence translation include classification?
No. Clarify this additional service explicitly against the authority’s requirements.
Is a travel translation sufficient for conversion too?
The purpose and receiving authority can introduce different requirements. Check conversion separately.
Does the translator decide my German licence categories?
The licensing authority decides conversion. Agree translation and any classification as the evidence it requests.
Sources and further reading
- Federal administration portal: converting a foreign driving licence
- ADAC: driving licence translation and classification
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