IN
Yes, you can take the New York permit test in a language other than English. The Class D and Class M permit tests are offered in 20 languages at New York State DMV offices. You simply select your preferred language on the touch-screen terminal when you begin the test.
You must answer at least 14 of the 20 questions correctly and also correctly answer at least 2 of the 4 road sign questions.
The Class D and M tests are available in 20 languages plus ASL. If your language is not listed, you must test in your most proficient available language.
The Class D (car) and Class M (motorcycle) permit tests are available in these 20 languages. American Sign Language (ASL) is also available via video terminal.
A Spanish speaker in Buffalo can take the entire 20-question test in Spanish. A Chinese speaker in Flushing, Queens, can choose Simplified Chinese. A Russian speaker in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, can select Russian.
Missing Languages: Languages like Vietnamese, Tagalog, Farsi, and Portuguese are not supported. If your language isn't listed, you must take the test in the language you are most proficient in, typically English. You cannot bring a translator for the written exam.
The available test languages include: English, Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Bosnian, Chinese, French, Greek, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Urdu, and Yiddish.
State clearly that the rule (14/20 + 2/4 sign) is the official passing standard - do not use alternate scores like 16/20.
Reminder that testing is not limited to in-person DMV-office exams; eligible applicants may also use official online testing options, and participating schools may use the OKTA program.
If a language is not listed, applicants must test in an available language (often English); personal translators are not permitted during the exam.
Study the official DMV Driver Manual and practice materials in the language you plan to use for the test.
Do not assume every testing method or location offers the same language choices. Check the current DMV testing option and, when needed, confirm language availability with the specific office before your visit.
Language availability depends on the testing method. Check the option you plan to use before test day.
| Testing method | Language availability | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| DMV office Class D test | Multiple languages are available | Ask for the available language option when you check in |
| School OKTA | English and Spanish under the DMV school program | Confirm participation and language availability with the school |
| Official online testing option | Follow the language choices shown in the DMV testing flow | Check the current DMV online-test instructions before starting |
Language availability can vary by testing program. An in-person DMV test, an eligible online test and a school-based program should not be assumed to have identical language menus.
Select your preferred language before beginning. New York DMV does not publish one language-switching rule for every test interface, so do not assume you can change languages after the test has started.
Ask the DMV or testing location about available audio support for the language and testing method you plan to use.
For ASL interpreters, disability-related testing arrangements, or other accommodations beyond language choice, see the dedicated Disability Accommodations guide.
Use the language and accessibility support provided or approved by DMV. Do not rely on a friend or family member translating questions during the test unless the specific testing arrangement allows that assistance.
The sign itself remains a visual traffic-control symbol. Any accompanying question text or instructions depend on the language option used by the testing system, so applicants should still recognize signs by shape, color and meaning.
The passing requirement is 14 correct answers out of 20, plus at least 2 of the 4 sign questions, in all languages. No language restriction appears on your permit or license.
Your learner permit or driver license will not mention the test language. There is no 'language restriction' printed on the document.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the passing score different for a non-English permit test? | No. You must answer 14 out of 20 questions correctly and at least 2 of the 4 road sign questions correctly to pass. |
| Can I use a dictionary during the foreign language driving test? | No. All books and electronic devices are banned and will result in an automatic failure. |
| What if I need an ASL interpreter? | VRI is used for sign language services, and you must request an in-person sign language interpreter at least 14 days in advance if you prefer one. For an in-person interpreter, you must request one via the DMV website at least 14 days in advance. |
Arrive at the DMV office well before 3:30 PM. If you arrive later and the test language isn't set up correctly, you may be turned away as staff cannot reconfigure terminals during the last hour before closing, forcing a reschedule. Planning ahead beats scrambling later.
For ASL assistance, VRI is available, while an in-person interpreter request requires 14 days' notice.
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