TLC in Your Language: Exams, Guides & Interpreters

The TLC driver exam is offered in 7 languages — English, Bengali, Urdu, Simplified Chinese, Russian, Arabic and Spanish — and the free study guide, practice exams and exam tutorial videos come in the same seven. The 24-hour course is taught in seven languages too, depending on the school. The medical form and application guide are posted in 10 or more languages, and TLC offers free interpreters by phone in over 240 languages. If you didn't get help in your language, you can complain anonymously, whatever your immigration status.

The language matrix

What is available in which language, from TLC's own pages (read October 12, 2026). "Yes" means TLC or PSI lists it; a dash means it is not listed — not that it can never be arranged.

One conflict to know about. TLC's 2024 Language Access Plan lists "TLC Driver License Exams and Renewal Course" among documents translated into the 10 citywide languages. PSI's booking menu lists 7 languages. The booking screen is what you can actually choose, so trust it — and if your language is one of the other four (French, Haitian Creole, Korean or Polish), ask TLC's Language Access Coordinator before you book.

Where each item comes from

The exam. You book it in your PSI account after the 3-day course. PSI's candidate bulletin says to select the language from the drop-down menu when booking. It also offers a screen reader to every candidate on request, and ADA accommodations with medical documentation. More about the exam: what is on the TLC exam.

The 24-hour course and WAV training. TLC's Driver Education page says the course is available in Arabic, Bengali, English, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish and Urdu. Each school chooses which it offers. Our course and exam location finder lets you filter schools by language; for example, Open Data shows one school listing Hindi, French and Nepali, and Cantonese at several. The renewal course is listed in the Language Access Plan among translated materials.

Free study guide, practice exams and tutorial videos. Linked from the Driver Education page in the same seven languages as the exam. Study in your language, then take the exam in the same language.

The medical form and application guide. The Medical Certification Form for new applicants is posted in English and 10 other languages; the TLC Driver License Application Guide in English and 11 (the same 10 plus Punjabi).

The 10 citywide languages (Local Law 30)

New York City's Local Law 30 of 2017 names 10 languages that city agencies must translate their most common documents into: Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Bengali, Haitian Creole, Korean, Arabic, Urdu, French and Polish (list from the city's Civic Engagement Commission). TLC's plan says all information needed to get or keep a TLC license is translated into these, and that emails to licensees are also sent in Punjabi. Drivers have also asked TLC for Georgian, Nepali, Punjabi and Uzbek, according to the plan.

Free interpreters: how to ask

TLC's Language Access page says TLC serves people with limited English in person, on the phone, by email and in letters, and provides free interpretation. The plan describes how it works: staff at public-facing units are trained to dial a phone interpreter; the agency's main vendor covers over 240 languages, with a backup vendor since July 2023. In calendar year 2023, TLC's Licensing and Prosecution divisions used phone interpretation for 17,251 calls in over 30 languages.

You may also bring a family member or friend, but the plan allows that only for non-complex issues that need a quick response. For a fitness interview, a licensing problem or anything about your rights, ask for TLC's interpreter.

How to complain

If you did not get service because of the language you speak, TLC says you can file a complaint anonymously and regardless of your immigration status:

• Email TLC's Language Access Coordinator (Jin.Moon@tlc.nyc.gov, as listed on TLC's page on October 12, 2026), or
• Call 311 (or 212-639-9675 from outside NYC), or use 311 online.

TLC asks you to include, if you can: what the problem was, when it happened, who you spoke with, the office or phone number, and the language you speak.

Reading TLC's website, emails and notices

TLC's plan says industry notices, licensee-wide emails, licensing guides, forms and checklists are translated into the 10 citywide languages, and emails also go out in Punjabi. For the website, the two TLC sources say different things: the 2024 plan says website text is human-translated and you can pick a language at the top right, while TLC's current Language Access page has a machine translation disclaimer — the "Translate" button may not translate every document and "should not be relied upon for vital information." Treat the Translate button as a help for reading, and for deadlines, fees or anything about your license, use a translated PDF or ask TLC's free interpreter.

Keep your email address current in TLC's records: rule 80-04(m) requires a current mailing address and a valid email, and that is where translated notices arrive.

OATH hearings are separate

Summons hearings happen at OATH, a different city agency with its own interpreters. TLC's language services don't cover your hearing. See interpreters at OATH hearings.

Improving your English (optional)

There is no written English test for a TLC license (see do I need English for a TLC license), but many drivers want stronger English for passengers. TLC's Driver Education page links to free options: We Speak NYC, New York Public Library free English classes, CUNY ESOL and the NYC Department of Education's English classes for adults (21+).

Related

New to TLC? Start with the immigrant drivers' guide. Failed the exam? See what if I fail the TLC exam. The full course details are in TLC driver education course. For who TLC drivers are, see TLC driver demographics. Definition: language access.