You don’t need a translation of your foreign license to drive in Florida. State law lets a nonresident drive with a valid license from their home country, and FLHSMV’s visitor pages don’t mention a translation. Once you become a resident, you have 30 days to get a Florida license. Translations usually come up elsewhere, such as with an insurer or a rental company.

This guide covers what the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and the Florida Statutes say. We read them on November 4, 2026.

Visiting Florida: driving on your home-country license

Section 322.04 of the Florida Statutes exempts certain nonresidents from getting a Florida license. It covers people with a valid noncommercial license from their home state or country:

  • At 16 or older, to drive a vehicle that requires a Class E license in Florida.
  • At 18 or older, to drive any noncommercial vehicle.

FLHSMV’s Visiting Florida FAQs put it simply: visitors who want to drive must carry a valid license issued in their name by their country of residence. That page doesn’t set a maximum number of days for visitors. It also doesn’t mention an International Driving Permit or a translation of the license.

If you’re renting a car, FLHSMV suggests checking with the rental company before your trip. Ask what documents they need at the counter.

Moving to Florida: the 30-day rule

Your deadline changes once you become a resident. FLHSMV’s new resident page says you must get a Florida driver’s license within 30 days of establishing residency.

According to FLHSMV, you may be considered a resident when, among other things, you:

  • Take a job in Florida.
  • Enroll your children in public school.
  • Register to vote or file for a homestead exemption.
  • Live in Florida for more than six consecutive months.

Section 322.031 says the same for a nonresident who takes a job here or enrolls children in public school. If they drive in Florida, they need a Florida license within 30 days. The section has exceptions, such as for active-duty military and certain students.

If you’re bringing your car, FLHSMV gives you 10 days after establishing residency to title and register it. A foreign vehicle title does need a translation. We cover that in what Florida government offices ask for in translations.

What FLHSMV asks for if you come from another country

FLHSMV splits the document lists by status: immigrant, non-immigrant, or Canadian. In each case, you’ll need:

  • One original proof of identity and lawful presence showing your full name. Examples include a green card (I-551), a valid I-94 with your passport, or an employment authorization card (I-766).
  • One original document with your full Social Security number, such as your Social Security card, a W-2, or a pay stub.
  • Two different documents showing your Florida address, such as a lease or utility bills. Many must be dated within the last 60 days. Printouts are accepted for these.

For non-immigrants, FLHSMV says documents must be valid for more than 60 days from the date you apply. Non-citizens getting their first Florida license receive a 60-day temporary paper permit first. The license lasts as long as your USCIS document allows, up to one year.

The exact list depends on your situation. Check the page for your status before you book an appointment.

The exam is English-only

Starting February 6, 2026, all knowledge and skills exams are given in English only, according to FLHSMV’s January 30, 2026 announcement. Translation services are no longer allowed during these exams, including oral exams. If you need to test, study the driver handbook ahead of time.

Licenses from other states: SB 1718

This rule is about licenses from other U.S. states, not other countries. Section 322.033 makes a license invalid in Florida if another state issued it only to people who can’t show lawful presence in the U.S.

FLHSMV posts the list of those license classes and updates it from time to time. If your license is from another state, check the list before you drive in Florida.

So when does a license need a translation?

FLHSMV’s pages for visitors and new residents don’t ask for a translated foreign license. Translations tend to come up in other settings:

  • An insurer that wants to see your driving history or when you were first licensed.
  • A car rental company, under its own policies.
  • An employer or an office that accepts the license as proof of driving experience.

Each one decides what it accepts. Before you order, ask whether they want a certified translation, whether it must be notarized, and whether both sides of the license should be included.

For insurers and offices that receive these licenses

If your team regularly sees licenses from Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, or Cuba, a written policy on which translations you accept saves everyone time. Our page for government offices and agencies explains how we work with organizations.

Translating your license with Fidelis

A driver’s license is an official document, so it’s priced per page:

  • $29 for the first page and $25 for each additional page, up to 500 words per page.
  • A certificate of accuracy signed by Jorge Cardona, with double review and verification.
  • Ready in 3 hours: certified translations of up to 3 pages in 3 hours. Orders from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern, every day. The 3 hours start once you pay and send a legible photo; outside those hours, they start at 8 a.m. If we don’t deliver in 3 hours, you get your money back.
  • Notarization by a Florida notary public: +$30 per order, only if the receiving organization asks for it. Notarized translations take 1 business day.

A translation doesn’t replace your license or give you permission to drive. It helps whoever receives it understand your document.

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