Translating a Foreign Driving Licence in Luxembourg

Need to translate a foreign driving licence in Luxembourg? The SNCA (National Road Traffic Administration) requires certified translations for driving licences issued in non-Latin scripts or from countries not covered by a bilateral exchange agreement. Luxembourg's diverse expat community makes this a frequent need. Here is everything you need to know.

When is a driving licence translation required in Luxembourg?

In the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, a certified translation of a foreign driving licence is required when:

• The licence is in a non-Latin script (Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, Japanese, Korean…)
• You have established Luxembourg residency and wish to exchange your non-EU licence
• The SNCA (Service national de la circulation automobile) requests a translation for the exchange process
• Your employer or insurer requires a certified translation for professional driving purposes

EU driving licences are mutually recognised across Luxembourg without translation. Non-EU licences must be exchanged within one year of establishing Luxembourg residency.

SNCA and Luxembourg municipalities: the exchange procedure

The driving licence exchange process in Luxembourg generally involves:

1. Submitting an application to your Luxembourg commune
2. Providing the certified translation of your foreign licence (French recommended)
3. The commune forwarding the dossier to the SNCA
4. Receiving your Luxembourg driving licence

The translation must be produced by a sworn translator. In Luxembourg, French is the dominant administrative language, and French-language translations are accepted by the SNCA and communes.

Most common driving licence languages translated in Luxembourg

Luxembourg's exceptional international workforce — dominated by Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Spanish and increasingly Asian and Eastern European nationals — generates frequent translation requests for Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Ukrainian, Japanese, Korean and Persian driving licences. TranslateBE covers all these languages.

Frequently asked questions

Does the SNCA accept certified translations ordered online?

Yes. The SNCA requires that the translation be produced by a sworn translator with recognised court certification. The ordering method (online or in person) does not affect the translation's validity. TranslateBE's translations include all required certification elements.

Which language should I choose for the translation — French, German or Luxembourgish?

French is the most widely accepted administrative language in Luxembourg for driving licence translations. Unless your commune or the SNCA specifically requests German, a French translation is the safest choice. Contact us if you are unsure — we cover all three official languages of Luxembourg.

Can I drive in Luxembourg while waiting for my licence to be translated and exchanged?

Non-EU residents can typically drive in Luxembourg for up to one year from the date of establishing residency. After one year, the SNCA exchange procedure — which requires the certified translation — must be completed before continuing to drive legally.