Name on driving license slightly different from Passport
I am traveling to Spain in summer and plan to rent a car online (Sixt, Avis, Budget etc.). I have a Tunisian driving license plus an international version (which is just some worldwide recognized translation). The problem is that my name on the passport is "Mehdi" but when translated from Arabic it can be either "Mehdi" or "Mahdi". Unfortunately, when my driving license was issued several years ago, the name "Mahdi" was written on it. Since I don't live in Tunisia, I didn't really have time to fix that. How strict are regulations when it comes to one character difference? Would I have problems when picking up the car? What is better to do, write "Mahdi" or "Mehdi" when booking a car online?
Best Answer
This is unlikely to present a problem.
- The passport and driving licence have nearly identical names and matching photos, which offers strong proof that you have the right to drive in Spain.
- The fact that names can be translated differently into English is fairly well known. And if anyone raises this as a concern you can argue convincingly that the names are not actually different, only the translation is different.
- The person reviewing this will be a low-level employee at the rental car desk, who, in my experience, is unlikely to be a stickler about these sorts of things. They will probably just dutifully copy your documents without noticing or caring about the discrepancy.
However, if you want to be completely sure, contact the rental company in question.
I'm not sure which name would be better to enter on the application. It may be best to choose the drivers' licence, as suggested by a commenter, but I don't have any real basis for that. I would perhaps choose based on the proximity to other information when filling out the online form.
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Does my name have to match my passport?
Your passport and social security name do not need to match. An airline or TSA will never ask for your social security card. You may continue to travel internationally under your maiden or previous married name. Airline & resort reservations for international travel need to be in your passport name.Can I use my passport with my maiden name Canada?
It is legal to be known by either your married or former name at any time, regardless of your marital situation. This means you can still travel using your current passport, even if you've changed names everywhere else.Can a passport be used as a DL?
The answer is: no, you cannot use your passport as a replacement for your driver's license, and in fact, it's actually illegal in all 50 U.S. states. Driver's licenses are issued to individuals who have passed their written and road tests, and are capable of participating in traffic.How To Change Name UK \u0026 Update Driving licence/Passport/HMRC | Transman Experience
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