FOREIGN DRIVER’S LICENSES IN MICHIGAN - WHAT DOES SB 501 MEAN FOR YOU?

Sep 20, 2026

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Guidance on how Michigan law applies to people driving with foreign driver’s licenses after SB 501 takes effect. Explains when “treaty country” licenses remain valid versus when “non-treaty country” drivers must prove legal presence in the U.S. Describes translation requirements for licenses not in English, options for obtaining an International Driving Permit, and eligibility rules for obtaining a Michigan driver’s license. Warns about scams involving fake “international driver’s licenses.”

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

WHAT IS SB 501?

WHAT HAPPENS IF I GET PULLED OVER?

DO I NEED TO HAVE MY FOREIGN LICENSE TRANSLATED?

AM I ELIGIBLE FOR A MICHIGAN DRIVER’S LICENSE?

IS THERE SUCH A THING AS AN ‘INTERNATIONAL DRIVER’S LICENSE’?

TREATY COUNTRIES-LEGAL PRESENCE NOT REQUIRED TO USE FOREIGN LICENSE IN MI

NON-TREATY COUNTRIES-LEGAL PRESENCE REQUIRED TO USE FOREIGN LICENSE IN MI

FOREIGN DRIVER’S LICENSES IN MICHIGAN WHAT DOES SB 501 MEAN FOR YOU? Presented by Michigan Immigrant Rights Center 350 E. Michigan Ave Suite 315 Kalamazoo, MI 49007 (269) 492-7196 [mirc@michiganimmigrant.org](mirc@michiganimmigrant.org) WHAT IS SB 501?1 SB 501 (Senate Bill 0501) was signed into law on May 26, 2016 and took in effect late March 2017. The law changes some rules for those in the state of Michigan with a foreign driver’s license. Prior to SB 501, only driver’s licenses from specific “treaty countries”have been considered valid. When SB 501 took effect,“non-treaty countries” can now drive legally in Michigan and “treaty” country licenses will continue to be valid. Any other country’s license will also be valid as long as the driver can prove “legal presence2” in the United States. All drivers with foreign licenses that are not in English will need to have a document from their country called an“International Driving Permit” OR, if they can’t get that document from their country, a translation that has similar information. WHAT HAPPENS IF I GET PULLED OVER? If you are a nonresident and your license is from a “treaty country”(see list on back), and it is in English or you have a translation, you are driving legally in Michigan. If your license is from a “non-treaty country,” you must possess “a valid passport, a valid visa, or other valid documents to verify [your] legal presence in the U.S.” and a translation if your license is not in English. If you are a U.S. citizen or you are legally present and you live in Michigan and intend to keep living in Michigan, you might be required to get a Michigan driver’s license. However, if you are not “legally present” you can’t be considered a Michigan resident for purposes of the driver’s license law; you should not be penalized for not having a Michigan license. DO I NEED TO HAVE MY FOREIGN LICENSE TRANSLATED? Yes. If your license is not in English, it needs to be translated, either with an “International Driving Permit” or a similar translation. Anyone fluent in both languages can do the translation, and the Michigan Secretary of State’s office maintains a list of possible translators. If your foreign license is in English or has English on the back, you don’t need a translation at all. See possible translators here: [https://www.michigan.gov/documents/Translators_Resource_List_95124_7.pdf](https://www.michigan.gov/documents/Translators_Resource_List_95124_7.pdf) AM I ELIGIBLE FOR A MICHIGAN DRIVER’S LICENSE? Michigan law requires proof of U.S. citizenship or “legal presence” in the United States to obtain a Michigan driver's license. SB 501 does not change that. Those who do not have legal immigration status in the United States are not eligible for a Michigan driver’s license. IS THERE SUCH A THING AS AN ‘INTERNATIONAL DRIVER’S LICENSE’? The “International Driver’s License” is just supposed to be a translation of a valid foreign license. If you don’t have a valid foreign license, then an “International Driver’s License” has no value for you. And, if you can’t get a formal “International Driving Permit” asa translation of your license from your foreign government, any competent person can do a translation for you in the U.S. There are many “International Driver’s License” scams designed to prey upon people who are not eligible for foreign or Michigan licenses. You can learn more [here:](here: www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0050-international-drivers-license-scams)[ ](here: www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0050-international-drivers-license-scams)[www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0050-international-drivers-license-scams](here: www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0050-international-drivers-license-scams) For more information regarding driving with a foreign driver’s license, please see the Secretary of State (SOS) website for more information3 Prepared by Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (July 2020) 1 “SB 501,” Public Act No. 138 Public Acts of 2016

FAQs

What is SB 501 and when did it take effect in Michigan?

SB 501 (Senate Bill 0501) was signed May 26, 2016 and took effect late March 2017. It changes rules for driving in Michigan with a foreign driver’s license.

Do I need a translation for my foreign driver’s license?

Yes, if your license is not in English. You can use an “International Driving Permit” or a similar translation, and the Michigan Secretary of State’s office maintains a list of possible translators.

What happens if I get pulled over in Michigan with a foreign license?

If you have a treaty country license and it is in English (or has a translation), you can drive legally. For a non-treaty country license, you must have valid documents to verify legal presence in the U.S., and you need a translation if the license is not in English.

Sep 20, 2026

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