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Can You Take the Permit Test in Spanish? Languages by State

In many states, yes. Texas, Arizona, Colorado, New Jersey and D.C. offer it in Spanish, but Florida and Wyoming test in English only. See every state.

AP

Alvaro Peña

Founder of GetMyPermit

2 November, 2026
9 min read
Can You Take the Permit Test in Spanish? Languages by State

In many states, yes: official sources confirm a Spanish permit (knowledge) test in places like Texas, Arizona, Colorado, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. But it is not available everywhere. Florida and Wyoming give their tests in English only, and in a lot of states the handbook doesn't say which languages are offered, so you'll need to ask your DMV.

Below is what each state's official handbook or DMV page says about taking the permit test in Spanish, whether the handbook comes in Spanish, and where English is still required. Rules change, so confirm with your state's DMV before test day.

Can you take the DMV permit test in Spanish?

It depends on your state. The lists below sort the states into five groups: Spanish offered, limited or unclear Spanish options, other languages offered but not named, English only or no other language named, and states whose official handbook doesn't list test languages at all.

Even where the written test is offered in Spanish, several states still expect you to read road signs in English or follow road-test directions in English. Those rules are noted in each state's entry.

States that offer the permit test in Spanish

In these states, the official handbook or DMV page names Spanish as a knowledge test language.

  • Alabama: Written knowledge exams are offered in Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Thai and Vietnamese. Ask your Driver License District Office for details. Oral exams are available if you can't read the test. (Alabama handbook)
  • Arizona: The written permit test is offered in English, Spanish and several other languages, including German, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Arabic, Russian, Italian, French, Tagalog and Korean. A verbal test may be considered if there's no written version in your language. You must respond to road-test directions in English. (Arizona MVD permit test page, Arizona handbook)
  • Colorado: In-office testing is offered in English and Spanish, with no other languages at this time. You can have the test read aloud with headphones, or bring your own translator for a verbal translation. Interpreters and translators aren't allowed in the car during the drive test. (Colorado DMV adult permit page, Colorado permits page, Colorado handbook)
  • District of Columbia: The knowledge test is offered in 15 languages: English, Amharic, Arabic, Cantonese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai and Vietnamese. Audio-assisted tests and a language line are available (DC DMV knowledge tests page). Starting December 15, 2025, nine more languages were added: Turkish, Hungarian, Finnish, Danish, Indonesian, Dutch, Farsi, Italian and Swedish (DC DMV news release).
  • Idaho: The knowledge test is offered in English, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, French, Korean, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish, Swahili, Vietnamese and American Sign Language. (Idaho handbook)
  • Kentucky: The written test is available in Spanish plus about two dozen other languages. Spanish can be taken electronically on request and is also available in audio. The handbook also says applicants who can't understand highway warnings or directions in English are not eligible for a license. (Kentucky handbook)
  • New Jersey: Knowledge test languages include Spanish, along with English, ASL, Arabic, Chinese, French, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Turkish, Hindi and Albanian. If you need an interpreter, tell the MVC at least two weeks before the test. (New Jersey handbook)
  • North Dakota: The Class D knowledge test is offered in 14 languages, including Spanish, plus English. The motorcycle knowledge test is in English and Spanish only, and CDL knowledge tests are in English only. (North Dakota handbook)
  • Ohio: The knowledge test is offered in ASL, Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Haitian Creole, Japanese, Russian, Somali and Spanish. For other languages, you can bring your own interpreter by appointment at a Driver Exam Station. (Ohio handbook)
  • Pennsylvania: Written and audio knowledge tests are available on request at all Driver License Centers in 18 languages, including Spanish. (Pennsylvania handbook)
  • Tennessee: Centers with computerized testing offer the test in Spanish, Korean and Japanese. For the road test, you must speak and understand enough English to communicate with the examiner. (Tennessee handbook)
  • Texas: The knowledge test is offered only in English or Spanish. You must be able to read road signs written in English to pass. A Spanish driving test needs a bilingual specialist, and DPS can't guarantee one at every office. CDL knowledge and skills tests are English only. (Texas DPS testing in other languages page)

States with limited or unclear Spanish options

  • California: The DMV says the online knowledge test is offered in 35 languages, but the release doesn't list them, so ask whether Spanish is one. The online exam can't be taken on a tablet or phone and needs a computer with a webcam (California DMV news release). Languages for the in-office test aren't confirmed by an official source (California handbook).
  • Massachusetts: Class D and M exams are offered in Spanish and about 30 other languages, with audio versions in those languages. Class A, B and C exams are English only. (Massachusetts handbook)
  • Nevada: Testing for the Class C license and the motorcycle license is available in Spanish. An oral exam is available if you have trouble reading or understanding the written test. (Nevada handbook)
  • New York: The online pre-licensing test for students (OKTA) is offered in English and Spanish at participating high schools. Class D knowledge tests at the DMV are offered in multiple languages, but the handbook doesn't name them, so Spanish for the in-office test isn't confirmed. (New York handbook)

States that offer other languages but don't name them

These handbooks say the test comes in other languages but don't list which ones, so Spanish isn't confirmed. Check with your state's DMV.

  • Alaska: The online knowledge test (KnowToDrive) offers multiple languages with audio playback, but the handbook doesn't name them. If you understand English but can't read, someone may read the questions aloud. (Alaska handbook)
  • Georgia: Road rules tests are available in some non-English languages, but the handbook doesn't name them. Road signs and the driving test are English only, and you must show you can read and understand simple English traffic and directional signs. (Georgia handbook)
  • Maryland: The MVA offers several documents and tests in other languages, without naming them. The MVA charges no fee for an interpreter, but you pay the interpreter, who must be on the MVA-approved list. (Maryland handbook)
  • Michigan: Knowledge tests are available in many languages, and interpreters may be used on written tests except CDL knowledge tests. The Secretary of State can give you a list of interpreters in advance by phone. (Michigan handbook)
  • Minnesota: The computer test can be taken in English, "one of several other languages," or American Sign Language. The other languages aren't named. (Minnesota handbook)
  • Oregon: The test is available in several languages, with or without audio, in offices and online. (Oregon handbook)
  • Rhode Island: The test is available in other languages on request, but the manual doesn't list which. Road test instructions are in English, and a Spanish and Portuguese vocabulary list is available. (Rhode Island handbook)
  • Virginia: The exam is offered in many languages and in American Sign Language, but the handbook doesn't name them. Translators may not be used for tests in offered languages. (Virginia handbook)
  • Wisconsin: The tests are available in many languages, and the list is on the DMV website. The knowledge and signs tests are available with audio. (Wisconsin handbook)

States that test in English only or name no other language

  • Florida: Starting February 6, 2026, all driver license knowledge and skills exams are given in English only, including oral exams. Some websites still say Florida offers the test in Spanish, but they are out of date. (FLHSMV press release)
  • Wyoming: All tests are given in English only. An interpreter may be used if you can't speak or write English, and oral tests are available if you ask before the test. (Wyoming handbook)
  • Delaware: The handbook names no test languages other than English and says you must understand road signs in English. Audio tests with headphones are available on request. (Delaware handbook)

States where the handbook doesn't list test languages

For these states, the official handbook doesn't say whether the permit test is offered in Spanish, or we couldn't check an official source. Call or check the website of your state's DMV before you go.

  • Arkansas: An oral test with an examiner is available through the Learning Differences appointment type at some locations. (Arkansas handbook)
  • Connecticut: Test languages aren't listed. (Connecticut handbook)
  • Hawaii: Test languages aren't listed. (Hawaii handbook)
  • Illinois: The handbook doesn't list test languages, and we didn't find an official Secretary of State page confirming a Spanish test. Oral exams for applicants with a language barrier or a reading or learning disability can be requested in person. (Illinois handbook)
  • Indiana: Test languages aren't listed. You must be able to read and understand regulatory, warning and traffic signs. (Indiana handbook)
  • Iowa: Test languages aren't listed. (Iowa handbook)
  • Kansas: Test languages aren't listed. (Kansas handbook)
  • Louisiana: We couldn't confirm Louisiana's test languages from an official source. Check with your state's DMV.
  • Maine: Test languages aren't listed. (Maine handbook)
  • Mississippi: Test languages aren't listed. The exam is taken on a computer with a headset, and the machine can read questions and answers aloud. (Mississippi handbook)
  • Missouri: Test languages aren't listed. (Missouri handbook)
  • Montana: Test languages aren't listed. (Montana handbook)
  • Nebraska: Test languages aren't listed. (Nebraska handbook)
  • New Hampshire: We couldn't confirm New Hampshire's test languages from an official source. Check with your state's DMV.
  • New Mexico: Test languages aren't listed. (New Mexico handbook)
  • North Carolina: Test languages aren't listed. Audio tests are available on request if you have difficulty reading. (North Carolina handbook)
  • Oklahoma: Test languages aren't listed. An oral test is given on request, and you may need an appointment. Commercial learner permit applicants must read and understand English. (Oklahoma handbook)
  • South Carolina: Test languages aren't listed. (South Carolina handbook)
  • South Dakota: Test languages aren't listed. (South Dakota handbook)
  • Utah: Test languages aren't listed. (Utah handbook)
  • Vermont: Test languages aren't stated. The permit test is taken online. (Vermont handbook)
  • Washington: We couldn't confirm Washington's test languages from an official source. Check with your state's DMV.
  • West Virginia: Test languages aren't listed. An audio version with headphones is available for the reading impaired. (West Virginia handbook)

Is the driver's handbook available in Spanish?

Most of the English handbooks we reviewed don't say whether a Spanish version exists. A few do mention other languages:

  • Massachusetts: The manual is available online in Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Haitian Creole and Vietnamese. (Massachusetts handbook)
  • California: The handbook is available in nine languages, but it doesn't say which ones. (California handbook)
  • Iowa: The manual is available in additional languages on the DOT website, but the handbook doesn't name them. (Iowa handbook)
  • Rhode Island: A Spanish and Portuguese vocabulary list is available. (Rhode Island handbook)

For every other state, check your DMV's website for a Spanish handbook before assuming there isn't one.

Where English is still required

Taking the written test in Spanish doesn't always mean the whole process is in Spanish. Watch for these rules:

  • Road signs: Texas, Georgia and Delaware say you must read or understand road signs in English. In Kentucky, applicants who can't understand highway warnings or directions in English are not eligible for a license.
  • Road test: Arizona requires you to respond to road-test directions in English, Tennessee requires enough English to communicate with the examiner, Georgia's driving test is English only, and Rhode Island's road test instructions are in English. Colorado doesn't allow interpreters in the car.
  • CDL and other classes: CDL knowledge tests are English only in Texas and North Dakota. Massachusetts gives Class A, B and C exams in English only. Michigan doesn't allow interpreters on CDL knowledge tests, and Oklahoma requires commercial learner permit applicants to read and understand English.

How to prepare for a permit test in Spanish

  • Confirm the language before you book. Call your DMV or check its website to make sure Spanish is offered at the office you plan to visit. In Texas, for example, a bilingual specialist isn't guaranteed at every office for a Spanish driving test.
  • Ask about audio or oral options. Many states offer read-aloud, audio or oral tests, which can help if reading is the hard part.
  • Learn the English on road signs. Texas, Georgia and Delaware expect you to read or understand road signs in English, even if the written test comes in Spanish where offered.
  • Practice the questions. You can work through state-specific practice tests on GetMyPermit to see where you need more study.

Sources

Free permit practice test for your state

Ready to check what you know? Take a free 10-question test from your state's driver handbook, with every answer explained. No sign-up needed. See questions and pass marks for every state.