Photo: Mikhail Nilov, Pexels
Yes, in most US states you can take the permit test in Spanish, and many states offer 10 to 30 or more languages, plus audio versions. A few, including Florida and Oklahoma, currently test in English only. This guide lists official language options as of November 2026, how audio and interpreter rules work, and where translated handbooks exist.
Key facts
- Each state chooses its own test languages. There is no federal rule.
- Audio (read-aloud) versions are common and help if reading is hard.
- Interpreter rules vary. Some states ban them for languages already offered, and many keep them out of the car on the road test.
- Real road signs are in English, so learn sign shapes and words in English whatever language you test in.
Permit test languages by state
| State | Languages offered (knowledge test) |
|---|---|
| Alabama | English plus 11: Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Thai and Vietnamese; oral exam if you can’t read the test |
| California | Many languages: the DMV said in December 2023 the online test was offered in 35. Handbook in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Armenian, Hindi, Punjabi and Chinese, plus an ASL video |
| Colorado | English and Spanish, with read-aloud |
| Connecticut | Albanian, Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, English, French, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese, with paper tests in more than 20 other languages and a headset audio option |
| District of Columbia | English plus 14 languages, with 9 more added from December 15, 2025, including Turkish, Farsi, Italian and Dutch |
| Florida | English only since February 6, 2026, for both knowledge and driving skills exams; no translation services or interpreters (FLHSMV) |
| Georgia | 26 languages for both the Road Rules and Road Signs tests |
| Hawaii (Honolulu) | English and Spanish, read-aloud available; oral test at Kapalama for $10 |
| Idaho | English, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, French, Korean, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish, Swahili and Vietnamese, written and audio, plus ASL video |
| Illinois | 23 languages including English (Class D) |
| Kentucky | Long list in the 2026 manual; the KSP testing page lists Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, Dari, English, French, Kinyarwanda, Japanese, Pashto, Somali, Spanish and Swahili; tablets read the test aloud |
| Maine | Arabic, Canadian French, English, French, Lingala, Portuguese, Somali, Spanish and Swahili; free professional interpreters for other languages since February 1, 2026 |
| Maryland | 17 languages announced by the MVA, including American Sign Language. If the test is offered in your language, you must take it at least 5 times before using an MVA-approved interpreter |
| Massachusetts | English and more than 30 others, plus audio |
| Nevada | English and Spanish online; English, Spanish and audio in offices |
| New Jersey | Written: English, Albanian, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Turkish. Oral: English and Spanish |
| New Mexico | English, Spanish, Tagalog, Italian, German, French, Vietnamese and Chinese (MVD notice) |
| New York | 20 languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Bengali, Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, Urdu and Yiddish |
| North Dakota | 14 languages including English, at offices and online |
| Ohio | English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Japanese, Russian, Somali and Spanish; interpreter on request for others |
| Oklahoma | English only for now; oral test on request |
| Oregon | Eight languages at DMV offices |
| Pennsylvania | Written and audio versions in 30 languages, on request |
| Texas | English and Spanish by law (Spanish directions, English sign text) |
| Wisconsin | Online test in English and Spanish; audio assist at centers |
| Wyoming | English only, but interpreters are allowed for non-commercial written tests, and an oral option exists |
States not in the table may still offer other languages. Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and New Mexico publish their handbook in Spanish, and Arkansas also in Vietnamese. Ask the testing office which test versions it has.
Connecticut’s language law
Connecticut sets its test languages in law. Public Act 23-40 (2023) directed the DMV to add at least 26 more languages, chosen for emerging immigrant and refugee communities, and to report on the expansion by February 1, 2024. The DMV uses US Census population data to decide which languages to offer.
Audio and oral tests
Audio tests read each question and answer through headphones. They help if you speak a language better than you read it, or if you have a reading difficulty. Examples:
- North Carolina offers an audio option through earphones.
- Delaware and West Virginia give audio tests with headphones on request. West Virginia staff can’t read, reword or explain questions, and headsets are limited.
- Mississippi has a headset that reads questions and answers aloud.
More on accommodations: permit test help for reading, hearing or anxiety.
Interpreters
- Virginia offers the exam in many languages, as audio and in ASL, so translators can’t be used for languages already offered.
- Mississippi requires the Interpreter Oath form, and you bring the interpreter.
- Maine provides free professional interpreters for the written exam, requested on the application form.
- Road tests: interpreters usually can’t ride along. California allows help with the pre-drive check only. Nevada and Kentucky don’t allow interpreters in the car. Louisiana and Wyoming do allow them.
How to prepare in another language
- Download your state’s handbook in your language, if it exists, and the English edition too.
- Learn road sign words in English (STOP, YIELD, ONE WAY, DO NOT ENTER, WRONG WAY), because signs aren’t translated.
- Check the test language when you book, not on the day.
- Practice with our permit practice tests once you know the rules.
Question counts and pass marks by state are in the permit test by state. Each state’s guide, linked from learning to drive in the USA, covers its handbook editions. Studying in Spanish for a first permit? Check the paperwork too: the documents checklist.
Common questions
Can I take the Florida permit test in Spanish?
No. Since February 6, 2026, FLHSMV gives both the knowledge and driving skills exams in English only, with no translation services or interpreters. Older handbooks listed other languages, so do not rely on them.
Can I take the Texas permit test in Spanish?
Yes. Texas law requires a Spanish version for applicants who can’t take the test in English. Directions are in Spanish, and sign text stays in English.
Is the road test available in other languages?
The road test is mostly about driving, but instructions are usually in English. Ohio gives the skills test only in English, with no translators. Wisconsin can’t deny a test because you don’t understand English, and examiners use other methods such as picture cards.
Can I bring my own interpreter to the permit test?
Sometimes. Wyoming and Mississippi allow one, with Mississippi’s oath form. Virginia doesn’t allow translators for languages it already offers. Ask your state first.
Is the test easier in my own language?
The questions cover the same rules. You still need to read English road signs while driving, so study both.
Sources
- New Jersey MVC, “Knowledge Test” (nj.gov)
- Connecticut Office of Legislative Research, “2023-R-0308: Driver’s License Knowledge Test Translation” (cga.ct.gov)
- Connecticut DMV, “Limited English Proficiency FAQs” and “Knowledge Test” (portal.ct.gov)
- Maryland MVA, “Additional Languages Added to Learner’s Permit Knowledge Test” (mva.maryland.gov)
- California DMV, “California Driver’s Handbook” and December 2023 news release (dmv.ca.gov)
- Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, “ALEA Driver Manual” (alea.gov)
- Colorado DMV, “Driver Written Test” (dmv.colorado.gov)
- DC DMV, “Knowledge Tests” (dmv.dc.gov)
- Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “Class E Knowledge Exam” and February 2026 English-only exam announcement (flhsmv.gov)
- Maryland MVA, “Maryland Driver’s Manual” (December 2025) (mva.maryland.gov)
- Georgia DDS, “Tests and Exams” (dds.georgia.gov)
- City and County of Honolulu, “Written Test” (honolulu.gov)
- Idaho Transportation Department, “Knowledge Test” (itd.idaho.gov)
- Illinois Secretary of State, “Written Test” (ilsos.gov)
- Kentucky State Police, “Driver Testing” (kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov)
- Maine BMV, “Learner’s Permit Examination” (maine.gov)
- Massachusetts RMV, “Learner’s Permit Exam” (mass.gov)
- Nevada DMV, “Written Test” (dmv.nv.gov)
- New Mexico MVD, test language notice (mvd.newmexico.gov)
- New York DMV, “New York State Driver’s Manual” and permit test page (dmv.ny.gov)
- North Dakota DOT, “Knowledge Test” (dot.nd.gov)
- Ohio Traffic Safety Office, new resident resource sheet (otso.ohio.gov)
- Service Oklahoma, “Written Test” and “Oklahoma Driver Manual” (oklahoma.gov)
- Oregon DMV, “Knowledge Test” (oregon.gov)
- PennDOT, “Knowledge Test” (pa.gov)
- Texas Legislature, “Transportation Code section 521.161” (statutes.capitol.texas.gov)
- Wisconsin DMV, “Knowledge test” and “Road test” (wisconsindot.gov)
- Wyoming DOT, “Driver License Testing” (dot.state.wy.us)
- Virginia DMV, “Virginia Driver’s Manual” (dmv.virginia.gov)
- Mississippi Driver Service Bureau, “Interpreter Oath” (driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov)
- West Virginia DMV, “Driver’s Licensing Handbook” (dmv.wv.gov)
- NCDMV, “North Carolina Driver’s Handbook” (ncdot.gov)
- Delaware DMV, “Delaware Driver Manual” (dmv.de.gov)