Driving Licence Translation with Notarization

Driving licence translation is often needed when a driver's document has to be used abroad, at an official authority, an insurance company, a car rental service, a court, an employer or another organisation. A driving licence contains personal data, the document number, the date of issue, the period of validity, the categories and other important information, so the translation must be accurate and match the official format.

When translating a driving licence, particular attention is paid to the correct transliteration of the first name and surname, the date of birth, the document number, the categories, the dates of issue and validity, the issuing authority, restrictions and every entry visible on the document. If the name, surname or document number is rendered differently in the translation, the receiving party may ask for an additional explanation or refuse to accept the document.

When do you need a driving licence translated?

You may need a driving licence translation in various situations. For example, if you are going abroad and have to present the document to rent a car, for an insurance matter, or for a legal or administrative procedure, a translation of the driving licence may be required. Sometimes a translation is enough, and sometimes a notarized translation is also required.

You may also need your driving licence for work abroad, if the position involves driving, logistics, transport, courier services, a driver's job or using a company car. In such a case the employer or the relevant authority may require a translation of the document into a specific language.

• for submitting the document abroad;
• for renting a car;
• for an insurance company;
• for work abroad or submission to an employer;
• for a court or administrative case;
• to confirm a driver's qualification;
• for submission to an embassy or consulate;
• for a procedure related to driving a vehicle;
• for submission to an official authority or organisation.

What data in a driving licence has to be translated?

A driving licence contains several important items of data that must be reflected exactly in the translation. These are the holder's first name and surname, date of birth, document number, date of issue, period of validity, driving categories, issuing authority and other entries. Rendering the categories wrongly or stating the validity period by mistake can be a problem, because the document is precisely what confirms the right to drive.

If the document has entries in Latin script, entries in Georgian, or several languages together, it is still important that every part is rendered clearly and consistently in the translation. It is also important that the first name and surname match the form used in the passport or another official document, so that no inconsistency arises between different documents.

• first name and surname;
• date of birth;
• driving licence number;
• date of issue;
• period of validity;
• driving categories;
• issuing authority;
• restrictions or additional entries;
• seal, signature or official marking, if visible on the document.

Exact rendering of categories and technical markings

A driving licence is not just text. The back of the card is a table: category pictograms, the date of issue and validity for each category, and restriction codes. On a licence following the model of the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic the fields are numbered, so the translation must keep the same structure.

A foreign employer or police officer looks at the category column first. If in the translation CE is written as "C", or C1 as "C", they see a different entitlement in the document than the one you actually have. For a TIR driver this means the employer may not let them start work until an accurate translation is brought.

• Categories - AM, A1, A2, A, B1, B, BE, C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, DE, T are rendered with the original Latin designation, unchanged;
• Dates by category - you may have held B since 2010 and CE since 2021; each date stays on its own line;
• Restriction codes - for example, 01 (vision correction: glasses or contact lenses), 78 (automatic transmission only). We translate both the code and its meaning;
• Pictograms - the image of the vehicle is described in words in the translation, so that the category reads unambiguously on the notarized copy;
• Issuing authority - "Service Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs" is translated by its official name, not a free variant.

Which languages do we translate driving licences into?

TARGMANEBI translates driving licences from Georgian into foreign languages and from foreign languages into Georgian. The most requested are translations of driving licences into English, Russian, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Turkish, Greek, Ukrainian, Polish, Czech, Arabic, Chinese and other languages.

The language depends on the country and organisation where you have to submit the document. For example, for the USA, Canada or the UK an English translation is often used; Germany may require German; Italy - Italian; Turkey - Turkish; Poland - Polish or English, depending on the specific requirement.

When translating a driving licence, checking that the spelling of the name is consistent with other documents is especially important. The particular features of transliterating first names and surnames are described on the Norwegian translator and Ukrainian translator pages.

Transliteration of the first name and surname according to the passport

The most common mistake in driving licence translation is the Latin spelling of the first name and surname. Georgian letters can be rendered in Latin script in several ways: "ჭ" - ch or ch', "წ" - ts or ts', "ყ" - q or k. A translator who writes a surname "by ear" often chooses a variant that differs from the passport.

The result is always the same: the employer, the rental company or border control has two documents with the surname spelled differently. If Tskhvediani is Tsxvediani in one place, you have to prove that both documents belong to the same person.

• TARGMANEBI always asks for a copy of your international passport and writes the first name, surname and place of birth as they appear in the passport;
• if you do not have a passport yet, we use the Latin spelling on your ID card and warn you to compare the spelling once you get your passport;
• all documents in one order (the licence, a criminal record certificate, Form 100) are prepared with one and the same Latin spelling.

Does a driving licence need notarization?

Notarization depends on the purpose for which the document is used. If the driving licence translation has to be submitted to an official authority, a court, an insurance company, an embassy or an administrative body of a foreign country, a notarized translation may be required.

If you need the document for information purposes only, an ordinary translation may be enough. However, because different countries and organisations have different requirements, it is best to check in advance whether they require notarization. If you have the text of the requirement, you can send it to us and we will help you work it out correctly.

Driving licence translation for renting a car

When renting a car abroad, some companies may need a translation of the driving licence or an additional document confirming the right to drive. Requirements differ depending on the country, the company and the terms of service. In some cases data given in Latin script is enough, while sometimes they ask for a translation of the document into a specific language.

If you plan to rent a car, check the company's terms in advance. If they need a translation, the document must be done precisely and clearly, especially the categories, the period of validity and the personal data.

There is one important distinction: a notarized translation and an international driving permit are different documents. The international permit is a booklet issued by the Service Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on the basis of a valid national licence. The Agency issues two types:

• 1968 Vienna Convention model - valid for 3 years, in the countries party to this convention;
• 1949 Geneva Convention model - valid for 1 year, in the countries party to the Geneva Convention;
• you apply in person, at a territorial office of the Agency; this service is not provided remotely.

The international permit is valid only together with the national licence. In some countries (for example, Italy) an official translation is also accepted instead of it, but check in advance whether a translation notarized in Georgia is accepted. In addition, rental companies have their own rules and many of them still ask for the booklet. Check the terms of the contract before booking.

Driving licence translation for work

If you are going to work abroad and your job involves driving, you may need a translation of your driving licence for the employer, a licensing body or another authority. This especially applies to driver, courier, transport service, logistics or technical service positions.

In such a case it is important that the translation correctly reflects the driving categories and the period of validity of the document. The employer or the authority must have clear information about which type of vehicle the holder of the document is entitled to drive.

Does a driving licence need an apostille?

Whether a driving licence needs an apostille depends on the specific requirement. In some cases the receiving party asks only for a translation, in others for a notarized translation, and sometimes additional certification may be needed. Because requirements differ between countries and organisations, it is advisable to find out in advance which format they require.

If you have the text of the requirement, a letter or instructions, you can send them to us. We will help you determine whether your driving licence needs a translation, notarization, an apostille or another additional procedure.

How do you order a driving licence translation?

You can order a driving licence translation online or at the office. The easiest way is to send a clear photo or scan of the front and back of the document via WhatsApp, email or the order form on the website. After receiving the document we check the target language, the format, whether notarization is needed and the deadline.

• send us a photo or scan of the front and back of the driving licence;
• state the target language;
• tell us where you have to submit the document;
• indicate whether you need notarization;
• if you need the document for renting a car or for work, state the country;
• attach a copy of your international passport, so that the first name and surname are written as in the passport;
• if the translation is urgent, state your departure date and time.

It is important that both sides of the document are clearly visible. If the photo is blurred, has glare, is partly cut off or some data cannot be read, we may need a better-quality file. For an official translation every detail of the document must be legible.

How long does a driving licence translation take?

The driving licence translation, including notarization, is ready the same or next day. The document has a standard format, so the time frame is mainly determined by the target language and the time of the visit to the notary.

Urgent translation and certification on the same or the next day

People often remember the driving licence translation the evening before departure or on the way to the airport: the rental company mentioned it in the booking confirmation, or the employer asked for it at the last minute. For us such orders are routine work.

• On the same or the next day - the translation and notarization are completed on the same or the next day; if the photo reaches us during working hours and you tell us your departure time, we try to finish on the same day;
• Editor's check - even on an urgent order, the categories, dates and Latin spelling are checked against the original;
• Electronic copy - we send you a scan of the certified translation via WhatsApp or email, and you collect the original at the office;
• In one order - if you also need your passport or another document, everything is prepared together.

Driving licence translation online

Ordering a driving licence translation online is very simple. Take a clear photo of both sides of the document or make a scan and send it to us via WhatsApp or email. Our team will check the document and tell you the certification format you need and when it will be ready.

Ordering online is especially convenient if you are in another city, have little time before your trip or need a quick assessment of the document. The document is processed with the same accuracy as one brought to the office.

Why choose TARGMANEBI?

Translating a driving licence may seem like a simple document, but for official use the accuracy of every detail matters. TARGMANEBI works with personal, legal, medical, financial, business and educational documents, so we can help you prepare your driving licence correctly for your specific purpose.

• we work in more than 14 languages;
• notarization is available;
• you can send the document online;
• we protect confidentiality;
• the translation is ready the same or next day;
• we pay attention to the correct transliteration of the first name and surname;
• we work in Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi and online from all over Georgia;
• we help you choose the right format for the document.

Frequently asked questions