Photo: Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A few US states let holders of a foreign driver’s license from certain countries swap it for a state license without the knowledge test, the road test or both. These are state agreements, not national ones. Germany, France, South Korea and Taiwan appear most often, and Japan only in Hawaii. Most foreign license holders still take a state’s full set of tests. This guide lists the agreements each state publishes, as of November 2026, and what to do if your country isn’t on the list.
Key facts
- No national swap: the US has no federal license, so each state decides whether to recognize a foreign one.
- Agreements are short lists. Germany is on most of the lists below; Taiwan, South Korea and France on several; Japan in Hawaii; the United Arab Emirates in Texas.
- The UK isn’t on any of the lists below. See moving to the US with a UK license.
- A vision test is always given, even when the other tests are waived.
- Conditions apply: age 18 or over, lawful presence, a consulate letter, or surrendering your license, depending on the state.
Which states have foreign license reciprocity?
| State | Countries (as published) | What is waived and conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | Germany, France, Taiwan, South Korea, and the Canadian province of Manitoba | Listed as exempt from testing in the state study guide |
| Connecticut | Canada, Germany and France | Testing exemptions for these licenses; confirm with the DMV |
| Delaware | Germany, Taiwan (Republic of China) and France | Both knowledge and road tests waived, Class D only; endorsements not included. You may keep your foreign license |
| Florida | Canada (license surrendered), France, South Korea and Taiwan; Germany | Knowledge and skills waived for Canada, France, South Korea and Taiwan; skills only for Germany |
| Georgia | South Korea; DDS also names Taiwan | South Korea: with a License Certification Letter from the South Korean Consulate, knowledge and road tests waived, vision exam required. The license must be equivalent to a Georgia Class C. DDS doesn’t say what Taiwan reciprocity waives |
| Hawaii | Japan, Korea and Taiwan | Consulate letter and vision test; no written or road test |
| Idaho | Germany, Korea and Taiwan | Skills test waived for Germany, and for Korea and Taiwan if you surrender your license. Idaho gives everyone the knowledge test |
| Michigan | Canada, Germany and the Republic of Korea | No knowledge test, permit or road test; vision test given. Germany and Korea: citizens over 18, lawfully present, living in Michigan |
| Ohio | A short list of reciprocal countries | Ohio law lets the Registrar waive the exam. Ask the BMV whether your country is covered |
| Pennsylvania | France, Germany, Korea and Taiwan | No knowledge or road test; vision test given. Transfers from France or Germany can’t be completed the same day. The list is from the 2021 manual |
| Texas | France, Germany, South Korea, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates | Applicants 18 or older with a valid, unexpired license: knowledge and driving tests can be waived |
Agreements can be added or ended, and some lists above come from older manuals. Confirm with the state agency before you book anything.
States with no foreign license exchange
| State | What foreign license holders take |
|---|---|
| California | The knowledge test(s) and a behind-the-wheel drive test, as well as the usual steps |
| New York | The written test, the 5-hour pre-licensing course and the road test. Only US, US territory and Canadian licenses exchange directly; the DMV lists no foreign exchange agreements |
| Nevada | Licensed in a foreign country other than Canada: vision, knowledge and skills tests |
| North Carolina | The transfer rule covers only licenses from another state, so plan for the full examination |
| Tennessee | Testing, unless Tennessee has reciprocity with your country |
State guides: California, New York, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, Idaho, Ohio, North Carolina, Nevada, Delaware and Hawaii.
Canadian licenses
Canada is treated differently from other countries in many states. New York exchanges Canadian provincial licenses like US ones. Michigan converts Canadian licenses with a vision test. Florida waives both tests if you surrender the Canadian license. Nevada treats Canada separately from other foreign countries, and Arkansas lists Manitoba specifically. Idaho, by contrast, says Canadian and Mexican drivers take a skills test.
Translations and documents
- New York: if your license is not in English, bring an International Driving Permit or a certified translation to the road test. The translation must be certified by a consulate, the US Department of State or another official government agency.
- Nevada: foreign-language documents need a full typed translation from a DMV-approved translator, with the translator’s signed certification and translator number. Abstract translations aren’t accepted.
- Georgia: if you don’t have the card, bring a driving history printed in English from the issuing country, dated within the last 30 days.
- Consulate letters: Hawaii and Georgia (South Korea) want a letter from your country’s consulate confirming the license.
- Identity and status: you still need the usual proof of identity, lawful presence, Social Security number (or ineligibility) and address. See REAL ID and your first US driver’s license.
Do you have to give up your foreign license?
| State | Rule |
|---|---|
| New York | You hand your foreign license to the road test examiner when you pass |
| Nevada | You surrender any other license; it is voided and returned to you |
| Delaware | You may keep a license from another country |
| Idaho | Korea and Taiwan holders who surrender skip the skills test. Once you hold an Idaho Class D license, you may not show or use your foreign license to drive |
| Georgia | Most non-US citizens can keep it; DDS pages differ for US citizens, so ask |
If your country isn’t on the list
- Drive on your foreign license while you can. Visitor rules vary: see driving in the US on a foreign license.
- Study the state handbook. Experienced drivers mostly lose marks on US rules such as right on red, four-way stops and school buses.
- Pass the vision and knowledge tests. Formats: US permit test by state.
- Complete any required course. New York requires a 5-hour pre-licensing course. Texas may require an adult driver education course if you are 18 to 24.
- Take the road test in a car that passes the vehicle check. See the road test day checklist.
In New York, a valid foreign license lets you drive on a New York learner permit without a supervising driver, except inside a road test area. Without a valid foreign license, a learner needs a supervisor aged 21 or older.
Common questions
Which states accept a German driver’s license without tests?
Of the states listed here: Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Texas waive tests for German licenses. Florida and Idaho waive the skills test only. Conditions apply.
Can I swap a Japanese license?
Hawaii has reciprocity with Japan: a consulate letter and a vision test, with no written or road test. No other state listed here names Japan.
Can I swap an Indian, Mexican or Brazilian license?
None of the state lists checked here names India, Mexico or Brazil. Expect the full set of tests, and ask the DMV before booking.
Is an International Driving Permit enough to get a license?
No. An IDP is a translation, not a license. It can help with a non-English license, as in New York.
Does reciprocity cover motorcycle or commercial licenses?
Usually not. Delaware’s agreements cover Class D only, and Pennsylvania’s cover non-commercial licenses.
Can a teen with a foreign license use reciprocity?
Often not. Texas limits the waiver to applicants 18 or older and says a minor with a license from a country other than the US or Canada must take the knowledge test. Michigan’s agreements are for citizens over 18.
Moving between US states instead? See moving to a new state. All licensing routes: learning to drive in the USA.
Sources
- Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, “Arkansas Driver License Study Guide” (dfa.arkansas.gov)
- Connecticut DMV, “Connecticut Driver’s Manual” (portal.ct.gov)
- Delaware DMV, “Transferring a License” (dmv.de.gov)
- Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “Official Florida Class E Driver License Handbook” (flhsmv.gov)
- Georgia Department of Driver Services, “Drivers From Other Nations” and “Drivers Manual” (dds.georgia.gov)
- Hawaii Department of Transportation, “Hawaii Driver’s Manual” (hidot.hawaii.gov)
- Idaho Transportation Department, “New Idaho Residents” and “Idaho Driver’s Manual” (itd.idaho.gov)
- Michigan Department of State, “New Michigan Residents” (michigan.gov)
- Ohio Legislature, “Ohio Revised Code 4507.101” (codes.ohio.gov)
- PennDOT, “Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual (PUB 95)” (pa.gov)
- Texas Department of Public Safety, “Moving to Texas: A Guide to Driver Licenses and IDs” (dps.texas.gov)
- Texas Legislature, “Transportation Code section 521.0305” (statutes.capitol.texas.gov)
- California DMV, “Driver’s Licenses” (dmv.ca.gov)
- New York State DMV, “Driver licenses from other countries” (dmv.ny.gov)
- Nevada DMV, “Nevada Driver’s Handbook (DMV 700, March 2024)” (dmv.nv.gov)
- North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings, “19A NCAC 03B .0201” (oah.nc.gov)
- Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “Visiting from another country” (safetysupport.tn.gov)