Can I Drive in Michigan as a Non-Citizen? A Traffic Law FAQ
Michigan traffic laws can be confusing, especially for a non-citizen, so knowing your rights on the road is essential. Here, an experienced criminal defense attorney answers your questions about driving with a foreign license in Michigan.
Can I drive with a foreign driver’s license in Michigan?
You can drive on Michigan roadways if you have a valid drivers license from certain foreign countries. However, you may need additional documentation that shows proof of legal presence depending on the country your license is from.
My license is from a treaty country
If your license is from a treaty country, you don’t need to show proof of legal presence in the United States. You only need the following documents to drive in Michigan legally:
- Your foreign driver’s license, and
- You will need a translated copy of your foreign driver’s license if it is not already in English.
Here is an incomplete list of treaty countries:
- Albania
- Argentina
- Cuba
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Ireland
- Malta
- Mexico
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Peru
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Thailand
- United Kingdom
My license is from a non-treaty country
If your license is from a non-treaty country, you need the following documents to drive in Michigan legally:
- Your foreign driver’s license
- A translated license if your license is not in English
- A valid, unexpired passport, a U.S. visa, or other valid documents proving your legal presence in the United States. This can include an employment authorization document (I-766), a Form I-94, or a State Department bio-data form.
You can find a complete list of treaty and non-treaty countries here.
Does my license need to be translated?
Yes. If your license is not in English, it must be translated with an International Driving Permit or similar translation. Anyone fluent in both languages can translate your driver’s license, and you can find a list of possible translators from the Michigan Secretary of State office. An International Driving Permit can’t be used as a driver’s license by itself.
You don’t need an International Driving Permit if your license is already in English or has English on the back.
What happens if I get pulled over?
If you get pulled over and have all the necessary documents based on your country, you are legally driving in Michigan and should not get in any legal trouble. However, some police officers are not trained to recognize valid foreign driver’s licenses. If a police officer refuses to accept your valid foreign license and issues a ticket, contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
Talk to the Criminal Defense Lawyers at JAD Law
If you get arrested for driving with a foreign license, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney to advocate for you. JAD Law is here to help. Contact JAD Law today to schedule an appointment.
JAD Law serves several counties across Metro Detroit, Michigan, including Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair, and Wayne counties. JAD Law also serves counties across Northern Michigan, including Grand Traverse, Charlevoix, Benzie, Leelanau, and Antrim counties.
