Driving Tests

NL Written Test Languages: English Online, French and Ukrainian

informational·how to guide·Published June 15, 2026

Can I take the Newfoundland and Labrador written test in French or another language?

Yes, in French or Ukrainian. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Class 5 written test is online in English only, on MyGovNL. French and Ukrainian versions are at all Motor Registration Division (MRD) offices, and you must book an appointment. For another language, the Driver's Handbook allows an interpreter that the Registrar approves, at your cost. For help with reading or writing, contact the office in advance.

Where these rules come from

This guide follows the Motor Registration Division (MRD) of Digital Government and Service NL: the written tests page, the licence application process page and the translation of foreign driver licences page. It also uses the Driver's Handbook and the MRD pages on locations and new residents, including the table of countries with reciprocity agreements. The guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Motor Registration Division (gov.nl.ca/motorregistration) before you drive.

Ways to take the Class 5 written test in Newfoundland and Labrador

Ways to take the Class 5 written test in Newfoundland and Labrador
Option	Language	What you do
Online on MyGovNL	English only	Register on MyGovNL and take the permit test online.
At an MRD office	French or Ukrainian	Book an appointment. All MRD offices offer both versions.
With an interpreter	Other languages	The Registrar must approve the interpreter. You pay any cost.
With reading or writing help	Ask the office	Contact the office in advance and schedule an appointment.

How to book the French or Ukrainian written test

1
Choose French or Ukrainian
The online test on MyGovNL is in English only. For the French or Ukrainian version of the Class 5 written test, plan to go to an MRD office.
2
Book an appointment
Book online, or call the MRD appointment booking line at 1-877-636-6867 and choose Option 1. The line is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
3
Say what help you need
If you need help with reading or writing during the exam, contact the office in advance when you schedule the appointment.
4
Take the test and aim for 85%
The pass mark of the written exam is 85%.
5
Complete the vision test appointment
At this appointment, the MRD validates your written result, gives you a vision test, takes your photo and examines your original identity documents. Passed written test results are valid for six months.

Is the online Class 5 test English only?

Yes. The online Class 5 written test on MyGovNL is in English only, and the MRD also marks the Driver's Handbook download and the online exam link as English only. After you pass online, you book an appointment for a vision test and an identity document check before your permit is issued. The guide to the online permit test covers that route. For the French or Ukrainian version, book an office appointment instead.

Interpreters and help with reading or writing

The Driver's Handbook says written tests can be conducted in languages other than English.
The Registrar must approve each interpreter.
If you need an interpreter, you pay any costs.
The MRD test pages list French and Ukrainian versions, so contact the MRD before you book to ask how the interpreter route works for your language.
If reading or writing is hard for you, contact the office in advance and schedule an appointment.

What if your foreign licence is not in English?

A driver's licence in any language other than English or French needs an English translation. The Association for New Canadians in St. John's offers translation and interpretation in over 60 languages, and the Registrar can also approve other suitable translators. You need an appointment to exchange a licence, and you must exchange it within three months of becoming a resident. The guide to foreign licence exchange explains the steps.

Countries with reciprocity: exchange without a written test

Countries with reciprocity: exchange without a written test
Exchange for	Countries
Class 5 only	Germany, Austria, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Republic of Korea, Ukraine, Denmark
Class 5 and Class 6 (motorcycle)	France, Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Japan, Taiwan, Belgium

Who still takes the written test after a move

If you move to Newfoundland and Labrador with a valid licence from a country in the table, you can exchange it without a written, vision or road test, when you meet the MRD criteria, such as the required identity documents. The same applies to a licence from another Canadian province or territory, or from the United States. Drivers from all other countries must pass the written, vision and road tests and enter the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program. For them, the choice of test language matters most.

What the test covers, and how to practise in English

The written test is multiple choice. The questions cover rules of the road, safe driving practices, road sign recognition and more, and they are based on the Driver's Handbook and the Highway Traffic Act and Regulations. Our free practice tests are in English only. Two free practice questions cover the pass mark and the topics of the exam.

Key takeaways

The Class 5 written test is online in English only, on MyGovNL. French and Ukrainian versions are at all MRD offices by appointment.
Book by phone at 1-877-636-6867 (Option 1) or online. For help with reading or writing, contact the office in advance.
The Driver's Handbook allows other languages with an interpreter that the Registrar approves. You pay any cost.
A foreign licence in a language other than English or French needs an English translation.
Next step: practise on the free Newfoundland and Labrador Class 5I practice test.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take the test in Arabic, Punjabi or another language?

Not online, because the MyGovNL test is in English only. The Driver's Handbook says written tests can be conducted in languages other than English, with an interpreter that the Registrar approves. You pay any interpreter costs. Contact the MRD before you book, and ask what the office needs for your language.

Is the Driver's Handbook available in French or Ukrainian?

The MRD marks its Driver's Handbook download and the online exam link as available in English only. French and Ukrainian are offered for the Class 5 written test itself, which you take at an MRD office by appointment. If you need help with reading, contact the office in advance.

Which MRD offices give the written test in French or Ukrainian?

All MRD office locations offer the Class 5 written test in French and Ukrainian. The offices include Mount Pearl, Corner Brook, Gander, Labrador City and Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Book your appointment before you go, online or through the booking line at 1-877-636-6867, Option 1.

Can a friend or community member translate my foreign licence?

Only if the Registrar approves that person as a translator. A translator gives a resume or other suitable credential, and a recommendation letter from a support organization, such as an immigration, settlement or integration service provider, a cultural association, government or academia. You can also use the Association for New Canadians in St. John's.

I have a licence from Ukraine. Do I need to take the written test?

Not if you meet the MRD criteria. Ukraine is on the MRD list of countries with reciprocity for Class 5. With a valid Ukrainian licence and the required identity documents, you can exchange it for a Class 5 licence without a written, vision or road test. Book an exchange appointment within three months of becoming a resident.