Can you take the New York permit test in Chinese or Spanish?

Yes. The NY DMV Class D permit guide lists 20 test languages, including Chinese and Spanish. Choose your language when arranging the official test. NY Driver offers study materials in English, Spanish and Simplified Chinese.

The 20 Class D test languages

English, Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Bosnian, Chinese, French, Greek, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Urdu and Yiddish.

Use the official office directory to locate a permit-test service and follow its reservation instructions. Confirm the language you want with the office when arranging the visit.

Office testing and the under-18 online option

DMV’s Get Pre-Screened tool, linked from the permit guide, helps prepare your application and documents. Applicants under 18 have an option to take the permit test online through that process. Follow the online instructions, then complete the required office visit.

After passing online, allow three business days for DMV to review your results and identity documents. If you visit within the first three business days, you must retake and pass the test in the office before completing your transaction. See the appointment guide for the full sequence.

Participating high schools also offer the monitored OKTA program in English and Spanish, starting at 15 years and 11 months. After passing, students must be 16 to apply for the permit at DMV with the required receipt and documents. The official licensing chapter explains this school route.

Learn road-sign meanings in every study language

The written test requires 14 correct out of 20, including at least two of four road-sign questions. Learn the meanings of STOP, YIELD and DO NOT ENTER alongside their shapes and colors, even when studying in Chinese or Spanish.

Use the official manual and quizzes, the three-language vocabulary list, and New York’s sign passing requirement to prepare.