DMV test languages depend on your state: many states still offer the permit test in Spanish and other languages, but two big 2026 changes moved tests to English only. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (flhsmv.gov) has given all driver license exams in English only since February 6, 2026, and the Texas Department of Public Safety (dps.texas.gov) has given all CDL and commercial learner permit knowledge tests in English only since June 1, 2026.
What changed and when
- Florida, February 6, 2026: all driver license knowledge and skills exams, including oral exams and third-party tests, are English only. Translators are no longer allowed.
- Texas, June 1, 2026: every CDL and commercial learner permit knowledge test is English only, with no Spanish version and no interpreters. The regular car test is a separate question, so check DPS.
- Online tests can differ from office tests. Oklahoma's at-home written test is English only, while Oregon's online test is offered in eight languages.
The table below lists only languages we could tie to an official agency page or driver manual, as of October 14, 2026. For a state not listed, check the agency site or call before you book.
DMV permit test languages by state
| State | Regular permit test languages | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | English only since February 6, 2026 | FLHSMV (flhsmv.gov) |
| Georgia | 26 languages for the non-commercial knowledge exam | DDS (dds.georgia.gov) |
| Kentucky | 12 languages for the standard test, including Spanish, Arabic, French, Chinese, Somali and Swahili | Kentucky State Police and KYTC |
| Maine | Arabic, Canadian French, English, French, Lingala, Portuguese, Somali, Spanish and Swahili | Maine BMV |
| Massachusetts | More than 30, including Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole and Vietnamese | Mass RMV (mass.gov/rmv) |
| Nevada | English and Spanish, online and in person | Nevada DMV (dmv.nv.gov) |
| New Hampshire | English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, Portuguese, Farsi and American Sign Language | NH DMV |
| New Jersey | 13: English, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, Spanish, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Hindi, Albanian and Turkish. Oral tests in English and Spanish only | NJ MVC (nj.gov/mvc) |
| New York | 20 languages | NY DMV (dmv.ny.gov) |
| North Dakota | 14 languages at driver license sites. Commercial tests are English only | NDDOT |
| Oklahoma | Online at-home test: English only | Service Oklahoma |
| Oregon | Online: English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese (simplified Mandarin), Japanese, Korean, Russian and Vietnamese, with an audio option | Oregon DMV |
| Rhode Island | English, Spanish and Portuguese | RI DMV (dmv.ri.gov) |
| Texas | CDL and CLP knowledge tests English only since June 1, 2026 | Texas DPS (dps.texas.gov) |
Who it affects, and who it does not
- Affected: anyone in Florida who planned to test in a language other than English, on the knowledge test or the driving test.
- Affected: CDL applicants in Texas, and in states that already test commercial drivers in English only, such as Oregon and Utah.
- Affected: people who planned to take an at-home online test in another language, since online options can be narrower than office tests.
- Not affected: drivers in states that still offer translated tests, such as New Jersey, New York, Georgia and Massachusetts.
- Not affected: new residents whose new state waives the knowledge test because they hold a valid license. Check the rules for your state.
What to do now
- Find your state's agency site and open the knowledge test or permit test page.
- Look for the list of test languages and any note about oral tests or interpreters.
- If you plan to test online, check the online test's languages separately.
- If the page is unclear, call and ask which languages your office offers today. New Jersey's MVC notes that some interpreter requests can take several weeks.
- If your test will be in English, start practicing in English now so the wording feels familiar.
How to prepare
Whatever language you test in, the questions come from your state's driver manual. If English is your second language, read the English manual, keep a short list of driving words you need to look up, and take timed practice tests until your scores are steady. Road signs are learned by shape and color, which helps in any language. Some states also publish their manual in Spanish, such as Nebraska, so you can check meanings side by side.
FAQ
Can I take the permit test in Spanish?
In many states, yes, including New Jersey, New York, Nevada, Georgia, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Not in Florida, where all driver license exams have been English only since February 6, 2026.
Can you take the Nevada DMV written test in Spanish?
Yes. The Nevada DMV offers the written knowledge test in English and Spanish, both online and in person.
What are the DMV test languages in California?
We did not confirm California's current list for this update. The California DMV lists its knowledge test languages on dmv.ca.gov.
What are the DMV test languages in NY?
The New York DMV says the permit test is offered in 20 languages. See dmv.ny.gov for the full list.
Can I take the driving test in Spanish?
It depends on the state. Florida does not allow translators for any driver license exam since February 6, 2026. In other states, ask about interpreter rules when you book the road test.
