Illinois Driver's Test in Spanish and Other Languages
Can I take the Illinois driver's test in Spanish or another language?
Yes. Illinois law lets all parts of the written and verbal exams be given in Spanish when you ask, except the English on copies of road signs. Any other language is at the discretion of the Illinois Secretary of State (SOS). The 2025 Rules of the Road also lists an oral exam for the written test, Monday through Thursday, for applicants with a language barrier.
Where these language rules come from
The language rules come from 625 ILCS 5/6-109 of the Illinois Vehicle Code. The oral exam, interpreter, attempt and driving exam details come from the 2025 edition of the official handbook, Illinois Rules of the Road. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Illinois Secretary of State (ilsos.gov) before you drive.
What Illinois law says about tests in Spanish
Section 6-109 of the Illinois Vehicle Code lets every part of the written and verbal exams be given in Spanish. There is one exception: where English appears on the copies of road signs in the exam, the English stays.
The law gives this option when the person who takes the test asks for it. So ask for the Spanish exam at the Secretary of State driver services facility, often called the DMV.
Which other languages can you ask for?
Spanish is the only language other than English that the law names. A test in any other language is at the discretion of the Secretary of State, on your request. Ask the facility about your language before test day, so you know which option you will get.
Language and test help in Illinois at a glance
| What you need | Official rule | How to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Written test in Spanish | Every written and verbal part can be in Spanish, except English on copies of road signs (law). | Ask for Spanish at the facility. |
| Written test in another language | At the discretion of the Secretary of State (law). | Ask the facility before test day. |
| Oral exam for the written test | For a language barrier or a reading or learning disability (2025 handbook). | Ask in person at any SOS driver's license facility, Monday through Thursday. |
| Interpreter if you are deaf or hard of hearing | Offered when you get or renew a license (2025 handbook). | Call 312-814-5683 or 888-261-5238 (TTY, NexTalk) before your visit. |
| Driving (road) exam | Only the examiner may be with you in the car (2025 handbook). | Ask the facility about language help before test day. |
Oral exams and interpreters at the Illinois DMV
The 2025 handbook lists oral exams for the written test as a special service. They are for applicants who may have a language barrier or any reading or learning disability. Ask for one in person at any Secretary of State driver's license facility, Monday through Thursday.
The same list has interpreter service for applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing when they get or renew a driver's license. Ask for it before your visit to the facility: call 312-814-5683 or 888-261-5238 (TTY, NexTalk).
Written test rules that apply in every language
- The exam tests your eyesight, your ability to read and understand traffic control devices, and your knowledge of safe driving and Illinois traffic laws.
- The basic written exam asks you to identify traffic signs by shape, color or symbol, and to identify signals and pavement markings.
- It also has multiple-choice and true-or-false questions on traffic laws, safety rules, crash prevention and vehicle equipment.
- Every permit needs a vision screening and a written test. The minimum visual acuity is 20/40, with or without glasses or contact lenses.
- You have three attempts to pass each exam within one year of the date you paid the application fee.
- A person caught cheating fails and cannot retake the exam for 30 days. Taking any part of the exam for another person is a crime with a fine and at least seven days in jail.
How to prepare for the Illinois test in any language
The official handbook has the information you must know to pass the written test on traffic laws and signs. Our practice tests and question pages are free and in English only. They are practice questions, not real test questions. Our question page on the subjects of the basic written exam shows what the exam covers.
For the full exam rules, read our guide to the Illinois written test.
Key Takeaways
- Illinois law allows every part of the written and verbal exams in Spanish on request, except English on copies of road signs.
- Any other language is at the discretion of the Secretary of State, so ask the facility before test day.
- The 2025 handbook lists oral exams for the written test (Monday through Thursday) and interpreter service for applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Only the examiner may be with you on the driving exam.
- Next step: practice on the free Illinois Class D practice test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the Illinois permit test in Spanish?
Yes. Section 6-109 covers the exams for every first-time applicant for a driver's license or a permit, and its Spanish rule applies to all written and verbal parts. Every permit needs a vision screening and a written test, so ask for the written test in Spanish at the facility.
Are the road signs in English on the Spanish test?
Yes, where English appears on the sign copies: that English text stays. The basic written exam asks you to identify signs by shape, color or symbol, so learn the shapes and colors as well as the words. Our question page on diamond-shaped warning signs is one example.
Can a friend or relative translate for me at the Illinois DMV?
Not on the driving exam: only the examiner may be with you in the car. For the application and the written test, the law lets the Secretary of State set rules on foreign language interpreters, so ask the facility which rules apply. For the car rules and graded tasks, see our guide to the Illinois road test.
Can a deaf person get a driver's license in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois law says a deaf person who is otherwise qualified may be issued a driver's license, but not a commercial driver's license (CDL). You must meet the other license requirements, and the Secretary of State lists interpreter service for applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing.
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