For a drive test in a language other than English, the DOL’s own advice is to find a driver training school that offers that language. At our DOL-approved driver license testing center in North Seattle, the examiner can give road-test instructions in English, Mandarin, Spanish, French or Russian, and the knowledge test is offered in 13 languages. You choose both when you book.
Which language for which test
Each test has its own list — they are not the same:
- Road test (instructions from the examiner): English, Mandarin, Spanish, French or Russian. Chinese road tests are given in Mandarin; Cantonese is not offered.
- Knowledge test (questions and answers on screen): Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), English, Japanese, Korean, Punjabi, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish, Tagalog, Ukrainian and Vietnamese. Hindi is not offered; Punjabi is. Headphones are optional, for the read-aloud function.
- Driving lessons: English or Mandarin.
- Free practice test: English, Chinese and Spanish — start here.
- The Washington Driver Guide: the DOL publishes it in many languages — download yours.
How to book a road test in your language
No knowledge test yet? If you qualify, the Same Day All Test puts the knowledge test and the road test into one visit.
- Check that you can sit the road test You need a knowledge test pass from the last two years; a valid Washington instruction permit, a valid foreign driver license or temporary authorization to drive; and, if you are under 18, a completed Traffic Safety Education course.
- Book online and pick the language Choose the road test, pick a time, and set Test instruction language in the form to the language you want.
- Bring ID, and car papers if you use your own car Our insured car is available. If you test in your own car, bring proof of insurance and current registration for it.
- Take the test in that language The examiner gives the instructions in the language you chose. We send your result to the DOL within 24 hours.
Your language is not on the list? What the DOL says
The DOL’s language access page explains that drive tests are given at driver training schools and some DOL offices. If you need a language other than English, use the DOL’s interactive map to find a driver training school that offers it. If no school near you does, you can schedule the drive test at a DOL driver licensing office; if no employee there speaks your language, the DOL can use visual flash cards to give the test.
For an interpreter at a DOL appointment, email [email protected] with your name, email, phone number, language and the office you plan to visit. The DOL can usually arrange one with at least 5 business days’ notice.
Why test here
- Both tests, many languages, one place: road test in 5 languages, knowledge test in 13.
- Help in Chinese with booking and on test day.
- Book online, pick your own time and get instant confirmation.
- Our insured car is included, so you do not need to borrow one.
- Open daily, 9:00 AM–6:30 PM at 11328 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98125 — about a mile from Northgate light rail.