Taking the DMV Test in Spanish: What Each State Allows

The short answer

For a regular car license, Texas and New York clearly offer the knowledge test in Spanish. California publishes its driver's handbook in Spanish and provides free interpreters. Florida has given all driver license exams in English only since February 6, 2026.

For a commercial driver license (CDL), the rules are much stricter, and in Texas the CDL knowledge test is now English only.

Texas

Texas DPS says it can only offer the driver license knowledge test in English or Spanish. Even if you test in Spanish, you must be able to read road signs in English.

• DPS cannot guarantee a driving test in Spanish at every office. The driving test may be given in Spanish if a Spanish-speaking specialist is available.
• You may bring a translator, but only to help you communicate before and after the tests. Translators cannot help you during the tests.
• If you do not speak English, examiners use hand signals and nonverbal cues during the driving test; your translator can explain them to you beforehand.

California

The California Driver's Handbook is available as a PDF in Spanish, as well as English, Armenian, Chinese, Hindi, Punjabi, Russian and Vietnamese. The DMV says all knowledge test questions are taken from the handbook.

• The DMV provides interpreters at no cost. You can ask staff for one, or request foreign language help by calling 1-800-777-0133 during business hours.
• An interpreter may help during the pre-drive vehicle inspection, but may not ride with you during the drive test.
• You get three attempts to pass before you must reapply.
• The online eLearning course is offered in English, Spanish and Traditional Chinese, but only for non-commercial Class C license renewals. First-time applicants do not qualify.

New York

In New York, Class D permit tests are given in 20 languages, and Spanish is one of them. In the office, you can take the test on a touch screen station or on paper.

• If you are under 18, you can take the permit test online. The online test is offered in English and Spanish.
• After an online test, the DMV needs three business days to review your results and identity documents before your office visit.
• To pass, you must answer at least 14 of 20 questions correctly, including at least 2 of the 4 road sign questions.
• For free language help, the DMV lists the number 1-518-486-9786.

Florida

Since February 6, 2026, all Florida driver license knowledge and driving skills exams are given in English only, statewide, including at third-party testing providers. This covers every license class and oral exams. Translation devices and interpreter services are no longer allowed, and printed exams in other languages have been removed.

• The Class E knowledge exam has 50 multiple-choice questions; you need 40 correct answers (80 percent) to pass.
• Applicants under 18 can take the Class E knowledge exam online with a Parent Proctoring Form.

CDL: where English is required

Commercial tests follow stricter language rules:

• Texas: since June 1, 2026, all CDL and commercial learner permit (CLP) knowledge exams are given in English only, and interpreters are prohibited. During the CDL skills test, neither you nor the examiner may use a language other than English.
• Florida: CDL skills tests must be conducted in English, and interpreters may not be used during any CDL tests.

How to prepare

1. Read the official handbook for your state, in Spanish if it is offered, then review the key terms in English.
2. Learn road signs in English. Texas requires you to read English road signs, and New York's test includes 4 road sign questions.
3. Take practice tests. New York and California both point applicants to official practice quizzes and sample tests.
4. Plan for language help. Ask about interpreters when you book, and remember that in Texas a translator cannot help during the tests, and in California an interpreter cannot ride with you on the drive test.