AKMV How to Exchange a US Driver’s License for a Slovak One
QUESTION
Hello, I am a Slovak citizen, but I lived and worked in the USA (State of New Jersey) for several years, where I obtained my driver’s license. I have recently moved back to Slovakia and have established permanent residency here. I read that my US license is only valid for a limited time. How should I proceed if I want to exchange it for a Slovak one? Who should I contact if the US Embassy does not issue the required certifications? Thank you for your advice.
ANSWER:
Hello,If you h ave permanent or temporary residency in the Slovak Republic and hold a driver’s license issued in the USA, you are required to apply for an exchange for a Slovak license.
A common issue with US driver’s licenses is that the physical card often does not contain all the data required by the Slovak police (e.g., the exact date of issuance for individual vehicle categories). Since the US Embassy in Bratislava does not certify the validity of driver’s licenses issued by individual US states, you must obtain the necessary documentation directly from the United States.
For a successful exchange at the Motor Vehicle Department (dopravný inšpektorát), you will need the following:
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Official Driving Record – This document must be requested directly from the specific state (e.g., New Jersey, New York, Florida, etc.) where the license was issued.
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Notary Certification – The document must be officially notarized for use in the Slovak Republic.
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Certified Translation into Slovak – The entire record, including all certification clauses, must be translated by a certified translator registered with the Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic.
Obtaining these documents remotely from the USA can be administratively and logistically challenging for an individual. Therefore, we recommend our clients use the specialized services of the Legalization Center in Bratislava (Legalizačné centrum), which handles this process comprehensively.
As part of their “All-in-One” service package, they will request your Driving Record directly from the USA, arrange for the notary certification, and provide the complete certified translation. You will receive a finished package of documents, which you simply take to the police.
For a detailed procedure and the option to order this service, please visit this link.
JUDr. Veronika Michalíková, MBA