Can you take the New Jersey MVC test in Chinese or Spanish?

Yes. New Jersey MVC offers the basic driver knowledge test in Chinese (Mandarin) and Spanish, along with other languages. These are test-language options; you do not need to bring an interpreter to use them.

Written and oral test languages

The MVC knowledge-test page lists 13 written-test languages: English, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, Spanish, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Hindi, Albanian and Turkish. Oral testing is available in English and Spanish.

The basic knowledge exam has 50 questions; you need 40 correct answers (80%) to pass. An additional organ-donation survey question does not count toward the score. Choosing Chinese or Spanish does not change the passing score.

If you need an interpreter

If MVC does not offer testing in your native language, tell MVC staff at your permit appointment that you need an interpreter. MVC obtains the interpreter through its state contract, pays the appropriate fees and contacts you with the appointment details. Its knowledge-test page says arrangements typically take four to six weeks. Confirm the testing steps with MVC staff before booking a test that requires an interpreter.

MVC also has an approval process for interpreters assisting Deaf or Hard of Hearing applicants; use the requirements on the same official page.

Prepare in your test language

Use the MVC manual download page, which includes English, Spanish and Chinese versions. Practice with NJ Driver in your preferred language and review the manual when you miss a rule. The permit and appointment guide explains the steps before the test.

These options describe the basic driver knowledge test. CDL knowledge testing has different language rules: English and Spanish, with the hazardous-materials endorsement test in English only.