International Movers

If you recently moved to Maryland from another country, you'll need to get a Maryland driver’s license, learner’s permit, or identification (ID) card. You’ll find step-by-step guidance on what documents you need, what tests may be required, and how to prepare for your MVA visit.

If you are moving to Maryland with your vehicle, you will need to obtain a title and register it in Maryland. Learn more about bringing your overseas vehicle to Maryland.

Use the online document guide and gather your documents

You must bring proof of age, identity and Maryland residency. Use our online document guide to determine what you need to bring to the MVA branch office.

Depending on your situation, your documents may need to be electronically verified through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to confirm lawful status in the U.S.

Exchanging an out-of-country driver's license for a Maryland license

What you must bring to your appointment

• Your out-of-country license (may be valid or expired)
• Proof of age, identity and residency (from the online document guide)
• Vision screening results (see below)
• Payment for the required fees

If you do not have your license

You must present a driving record from the country’s license issuing authority. The driving record should be accompanied by:

• an apostille, or
• a letter from the country’s embassy verifying the driving record

Translation or international license

Your out-of-country license may need to be:

• accompanied by an international driver’s license, or
• translated into English by an approved MVA translator

Vision screening (required)

You must pass a vision screening. You may:

• take the vision screening at the MVA branch office, or
• submit a completed vision screening form (DL-043A)
  • If provided by a doctor, it must have been administered within the previous 24 months.

Education program (sometimes required)

You must complete a 3 Hour Roadway Safety Driving Education Program if you have never been licensed in the U.S.

Tests you may need

You must pass a knowledge test and a driving test in a motor vehicle that you must provide.

However, tests may be waived if you are converting/transferring a valid driver’s license that has not been expired for more than one year from:

• a U.S. Territory: American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana, or
• if you were born before September 30, 1979 in the Panama Canal Zone, or
• Canada, Yukon Territory, or France

Important: If your license is from the Republic of Korea (South), the Federal Republic of Germany, Taiwan (Republic of China) or Japan and it is expired, you will have to take all tests.

Provisional license or learner’s permit

• If licensed for less than 18 months, you will be issued a Maryland Provisional License
• If you have never held a license, you must obtain a learner’s permit

International students, au pairs, and G4 visa holders

This process is available for:

• Students, scholars, and faculty (including anyone employed by a college or university)
• Au Pairs
• G4 visas (World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Inter-America Development Bank)

SAVE verification request (recommended)

To avoid multiple trips to the MVA, you can submit a SAVE Verification Request online. After you submit the form, an MVA representative will contact you with the verification results and what you need to do next.

If you have trouble with the form, or do not receive a response within five (5) business days, email: [email protected]

U.S. Department of State (DOS) documents and licenses

Options for customers who have a license issued by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) or are applying for a DOS license.

If you have a DOS license, visa class is A or G, and you are applying for a Maryland license

You must provide:

• Proof of age, identity and residency
  • Visit the online document guide for acceptable documents.
• Documents that must be electronically verified through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to confirm lawful status in the U.S.
• A letter of ineligibility for a U.S. Department of State license (required for all A, G and E1-TECRO visa class codes)

Exception: Individuals under the visa category of NATO do not need a letter of ineligibility. Vision screening is still required.

You must also:

• pass a vision screening
• complete the 3 Hour Roadway Safety Driving Education Program with certificate

Knowledge and skills tests are waived.

Renewals: If you renew your Maryland license and still maintain visa class A or G, you must obtain a new letter of ineligibility from the U.S. State Department.

If you have a DOS license and you have changed visa status

You must provide:

• Proof of age and identity
• Proof of lawful status
• A Social Security card or letter of ineligibility for a Social Security number
• 2 proofs of Maryland residence
  • Visit the online document guide for acceptable documents. 

Your lawful status must be verified through U.S. Department of Homeland Security-SAVE to confirm:

• your visa status is no longer A or G categories, and
• you have applied for another status or lawful permanent residence

You do not need a letter of ineligibility for a U.S. Department of State license.

Your DOS license is treated as an out of state license:

• vision screening is required
• knowledge and skills tests are waived

If you are testing for a DOS license and you hold a foreign issued license

You must provide:

• Proof of age and identity and Maryland residence
  • Visit the online document guide for acceptable documents.
• Your Department of State identification card
• A packet from the DOS (this defines the required tests)

Not required:

• Social Security number or letter of ineligibility for a Social Security number
• 3 Hour Roadway Safety Driving Education Program certificate

After tests are passed:

• scores must be entered on the U.S. Department of State form
• do not leave the MVA until the scores are recorded
• you must return to the State Department with test results to be issued a DOS license

If you have never been licensed, are applying for a DOS license, and must first get a learner’s permit

You must provide:

• Proof of age and identity
• Proof of lawful status
• Letter of ineligibility for a Social Security number
• 2 proofs of Maryland residence
  • Visit the online document guide for acceptable documents. 

Your documents must be electronically verified through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to confirm lawful status in the U.S.

Other requirements:

• If under 18, a co-signer is required
• Pay the associated fees.
• You must meet all graduated licensing requirements before taking the driving skills test, including a driver education course
• You must schedule a skills test

After you pass:

• scores are entered on the DOS form
• make sure law test score is also recorded (if not recorded earlier)
• the Maryland learner’s permit is surrendered to the MVA, but a Maryland license is not issued
• take the completed form to the State Department to be issued a DOS license

DOS customer service number: (202) 895-3682

Foreign reciprocity agreements

Maryland has a license reciprocity agreement with:

• Republic of Korea (South) (December 16, 2010)
• France (December 16, 2010)
• Federal Republic of Germany (May 10, 2011)
• Taiwan (Republic of China) (June 17, 2013)
• Japan (January 4, 2016)

These agreements apply to applicants 18 years or older for a non-commercial (class C) driver’s license.

What the agreement means

1. You must provide proof of age, identity, and Maryland residency. SAVE verification of lawful status through the Department of Homeland Security may be required if applicable.
2. The knowledge (law) test and driving skills test for the equivalent license class will be waived.
3. If the driver’s license is expired, then the vision, knowledge & skills tests are required.
   Exception: Licenses from France and Japan may be expired less than 1 year. If over 1 year, all tests are required.
4. You must pass the vision screening, submit a completed vision screening form (DL-043 or DL-043A) or have an authorized online vision certification provider electronically submit the vision results to the MVA.
   Test administered by vision provider must have been done within the previous 12 months.
5. Agreement applies to non-commercial driver (class C) licenses only; no learners permits, class M, or commercial licenses.
6. Provide certification of the 3 Hour Roadway Safety Driving Education Program.
7. Present out-of-country license along with an international license or translation into English from the MVA’s Approved Interpreter/Translator Provider Listing (if required).
   1. License and documentation must be scanned into the driver’s licensing system transaction (example: translation).
   2. If the Issue Date, Expiration Date, Date of Birth, and applicant name are not in English, the out-of-country license will need the translation document.
8. Applicable fees are required.

Exceptions

• Licenses from Germany and France must be surrendered when a Maryland driver’s license is issued.
• Surrendered licenses will be sent to Maryland MVA headquarters and returned to the country that issued it.

You may opt out of the agreement by taking all tests if you wish to keep your license from France or Germany.