Categories and restrictions
The municipality or employer will first look at the permitted categories, codes and any restrictions.
Document
Sworn Translation of a driving license
2175
registered sworn translators
130
languages and variants
This page brings together the useful information for requesting a certified translation of a driving license in Belgium. Requests often concern exchanging a foreign driving licence or completing a mobility file.
What makes this translation valid under Belgian law
- Since 1 December 2022, the electronic signature has replaced the sworn translator’s physical stamp. The translation must also meet the wording and signature requirements of Article 555/11, § 4 of the Judicial Code; specific procedures cover exceptions.
- A translation prepared by a registered translator must carry their VTI identification number.
- For use in Belgium, a registered translator electronically legalises their translation for authorised language combinations, with all required details. If electronic signing is unavailable, or a court appoints someone outside the register under Article 555/15, legalisation goes through FPS Justice.
- The FPS Justice public register lets you check a registered translator’s name, VTI and authorised languages. Court appointment outside the register under Article 555/15 is a regulated exception.
Document
What to check before translation
Before requesting a translation, compare names and dates with your other documents. Specify the recipient, the required language and any attachments, stamps or handwritten notes.
Who may request this translation?
Belgian municipalities, the FPS Mobility and some police departments
Typical turnaround
In practice, expect 24 hours to 5 business days for the translation, plus the authority's own processing time.
Indicative pricing
From €60 per standard document, both sides included excluding VAT; volume and any surcharges confirmed before payment.
Most requested language pairs
English → French, Dutch → French, French → Dutch
What to send from the start
When these items are clear from the start, you usually save days.
- Scan both sides of the licence.
- State the intended use: municipality, employer, insurer or other.
- Flag any apostille, restriction or handwritten note.
Who may request this translation?
Depending on the procedure, a sworn translation of this document may be requested by Belgian municipalities, the FPS Mobility and some police departments. Confirm the requirement with the recipient before ordering.
Legal framework
A foreign driving licence is often filed with a sworn translation when the administration cannot directly work with the categories, restrictions or annotations on the document.
What the authority will actually check
These are the points on which a file usually stands or falls officially.
Issuing authority and validity
The issuing country, issue date and validity period need to stay immediately readable.
Full front and back
The back often contains the mentions that change how the licence is actually read.
Step-by-step procedure
- 1
Prepare the full front and back
Send the full driving licence, including categories, restrictions, stamps and validity dates.
- 2
Clarify the administrative use
Specify whether this is for an exchange, a driving-school file or a municipal procedure.
- 3
Translate the technical mentions
The translation must faithfully reproduce categories, restrictions and useful handwritten notes.
- 4
Submit the file
File the translation with the original or requested copy at the municipality or mobility authority.
Typical turnaround
In practice, expect 24 hours to 5 business days for the translation, plus the authority's own processing time.
Indicative pricing
From €60 per standard document, both sides included excluding VAT; volume and any surcharges confirmed before payment.
Describe your need
We frame your request
Targeted matching
Translation and delivery
Official source
Official sources used
The references below are the public sources used to document this page. The competent authority always retains the final decision.
Official sourceFPS Mobility - Foreign driving licencesOpen the official sourceOfficial sourceFPS Justice - National register of sworn translators and interpretersOpen the official sourceOfficial sourceFPS Justice - Legalisation of sworn translationsOpen the official source
CertiDocs analysis: CertiDocs explains the process and helps connect users with a professional. CertiDocs is not a public service and is not affiliated with any authority.
Guides
Guides for this document
Check the documents, language and formalities before your request.
Frequently asked questions
+−Is a sworn translation of “driving license” always required?
No. It depends on the language, procedure, issuing country and receiving authority. An exemption or multilingual form may sometimes be enough. Confirm the requirement before paying.
+−Does a sworn translation guarantee acceptance of “driving license”?
No. It certifies the translation’s conformity but does not fix the wrong record, an insufficiently recent date or missing authentication, apostille or legalisation. The receiving authority decides.
+−What information should I provide for a driving license?
The most useful details are the source language, target language and the context in which the document will be used.
+−How do I start a request for a driving license?
You can describe your need directly on the site to be routed to a sworn translator.