One of the first things a newcomer to North Carolina hopes to do is take out the driver's license. One of the requirements to obtain it is to take a driving skills test, it is a practical test that is carried out at an office of the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV).
The license is a document that provides freedom and independence, since the transportation system is limited in many cities and towns in the state. Whether because you moved from another state or are newly arrived in the United States, in the case of an immigrant, you must have the necessary documents in order to process the license. This is because in North Carolina you cannot obtain a driving permit without a status or immigration relief.
Is not speaking English an obstacle to getting a driver's license?
But even with all the documentation, language can be an obstacle when taking the practical part of the driving test in North Carolina. This barrier does not arise when it comes to the driving knowledge test. The latter is automated and is offered in Spanish at the 115 NCDMV licensing offices.
Enlace Latino NC asked the NCDMV why language can be an obstacle for people who do not speak English when trying to take the practical part of the driving test in North Carolina.
“No other person except the examiner will be allowed to travel during the road skills test. Interpreters can assist with inspection and pre-trip instructions,” explained Marty R. Homan, communications director for the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).
Homan also said, that “Examiners are trained to perform the driving test using hand signals. “Similar hand signal techniques are used for all applicants taking the motorcycle skills test.”
Related: North Carolina Driver's Manual in Spanish Updated 2024
Complains about not receiving the attention he expected
But according to Miriam Vásquez, a 62-year-old Venezuelan, who contacted Enlace Latino NC to complain about the situation he went through when he tried to change his provisional license to a permanent one, he did not have any help at one of the NCDMV offices in Charlotte.
“I've been in Charlotte for five years, and all this time I've been a mother and grandmother, and I just came out of treatment oncological, and now I am already working and I want to be able to manage and resume my life, but they denied me the opportunity in that office,” said the Venezuelan.
Vásquez showed up without an appointment at the NCDMV office located at 201-H, W Arrowood Road, southwest of Charlotte around 9:45 am, to wait in the long line that forms outside the office and goes through several businesses. of the commercial complex where it is located.
The office is located in one of the areas with the most Latino affluence, so the commercial complex has several businesses popular with this community.
“When they finally called me to station #4, around 2:00 pm, there was a dark-skinned employee who started asking me questions, but since I didn't speak English he called another official, who I think was the manager. from the office, and speaks Spanish,” said Vásquez.
She says that she thought that the official was going to help her because she spoke Spanish, but, on the contrary, he was the one who notified her that she would not be able to take the practical driving test at that DMV office.
“The official served as an interpreter for station #4, but then on his own he told me that I couldn't take the exam there because I didn't speak English, and I told him that I knew many people who don't speak English and have gotten their license. , and he repeated to me: here in this office it is not possible,” he said.
She felt discriminated against
Vásquez said that she did not understand why the Spanish-speaking official behaved like that with her, if she had previously processed the provisional driving permit there and the person who assisted her was friendly to her.
“I felt discriminated against, they were very intransigent, they didn't even give me the opportunity, are they going to give me a mechanics or driving test?” she expressed.
He also explained why he needed the North Carolina driver's license so much. “I have been driving for 50 years, and I want a license to be able to do my things, to feel free, and this is my beginning, I am already working in a warehouse as a picker, of course nothing to do with what I did in my life. country, and I have to ask for 'ride' for everything."
After several weeks, Vásquez said he managed to take the driving test at a licensing office in the city of Monroe, in Union County, North Carolina.
“I went to Monroe, and I took the practical exam and I passed it. The people there are very attentive, they don't speak Spanish, but they help you, I'm very happy. The officer told me, good job, the only thing is the language, but nothing more,” commented the driver.
Can complaints be made to the NCDMV?
Enlace Latino NC asked Homan if it is possible for customers to communicate online or call to file complaints about services, and officials, as in the case of Vásquez, who felt discriminated against for not speaking English.
"The 'Contact Us' section of our website includes a hotline number, a link to our employee directory, and our online feedback system. We also encourage residents to reach out through social media," he explained.
On the page you can report problems related to roads to NCDOT, there is also a section to ask questions to NCDMV about the various procedures for licenses, registrations, titles, among others, and other options to contact them.
Although there is no complaint option in any of the sections, each has a link to ask other questions. That's where you can put comments.
If the person wishes to speak directly with an NCDMV operator, they can call: 919-715-7000 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
You can also call NCDOT with questions at: 1-877-368-4968, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Can I request an interpreter at the DMV offices?
Homan said, users of NCDMV offices can request a foreign language interpreter if they are not fluent in English. You can also ask for a facilitator in American Sign Language.
In web page there is the section: “Request for Interpreter Services” . This is where residents who do not speak English You can request an interpreter to help you during your procedure at the DMV. .
An interpreter can be requested by contacting NCDMV online under the “Contact Us” section.
Consider: For online service, you must include the following information to help coordinate your service:
-Customer name
-Email and phone number
-State identification number or driver's license (if applicable)
-County
-Location of the driver's license office
-Reason for request/type of DMV service desired
It can also be called to the NCDMV Call Center at phone: (919) 715-7000. The helpline is open from 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday.
Are license offices different from license plate and title offices?
Homan was also asked about the differences between NCDMV licensing offices and license plate and title offices. There are doubts that some readers of Enlace Latino NC They have shared us.
“Licensing offices are operated by the state, while license plate offices are typically operated by a private contractor. Although there are two state-operated locations, Raleigh East and Huntersville. Some others are operated by a local government (city or county), or a chamber of commerce.” This is what the official explained.
How to make an appointment and where to find a licensing office
For information on how to avoid long lines at license offices, visit the website “Skiptheline".
For NCDMV office locations, how to make an appointment and the driving test visit the Official site.
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Today I spent in South Carolina, and I couldn't get the permit, I was sad, I took out my phone to translate for the employee and she told me that she wasn't taking the exam because of the language, she gave me back the documents and left, she discriminated against me, there is no right.
I spent in NC today I took the theoretical test on the computer in Spanish and I passed it but when it came time to take the practical test I was not allowed because I did not speak English I feel sad because I have to work and I need the license I am the breadwinner of my son .
My wife and I have already taken the theoretical exam and we already have the temporary permit that we made in Spanish... and then for the practical exam, we have gone to several DMV offices here in NC, and they discriminate against us anyway, if the first thing one needs here is to work, and if you don't have transportation with a driver's license, you can't... the language is learned little by little, but work first... now we don't know which office can help us... thank you.
I took the exam in Kingston, North Carolina, on December 30, 2025. You can configure the questions, and there's even help available on the computer if you're having trouble. I got 20 questions right, and the proctor was really nice. He looked me in the eye, like in my country, and spoke to me in Spanish because he could see I couldn't do it in English, even though I only spoke English. He helped me out, and I'm grateful. I didn't see him there again for five weeks, and that was only if I didn't pass the exam; I could only go once. I never saw him again.
Once I passed the exam on the computer, the one with the questions.
There was a Hispanic man when I arrived. I sat across from him because the ticket I had was for his station.
I had already seen him about 5 times in 5 weeks. I could only go once, even though he was there and heard me when I passed the exam.
I took the driving test the following week because I forgot to bring my car registration. The woman who was supposed to be there only spoke English, and she even told me, "You leave at 12 for lunch and come back at 1." I arrived the following week, and the Hispanic man—I don't know if he recognized me or if he was just pretending—gave him my information, my ID, and he acted like nothing was wrong and didn't ask me anything.
He approaches the woman and says, "He already passed." They were speaking in English and I didn't understand him, and then the man speaks to me in Spanish and asks me what I came to do, and I tell him I'm here to take the car driving test.
That woman helped me. That man was going to make me take the exam again.
That Hispanic man tells me, the woman, the one who works next door, is going to give you the car driving test.
I didn't say anything to him.
Because I already knew that man didn't care about what I was saying, what I was thinking. He just stood there, woman, and we went outside.
Out there. Has my sister been in the car? Is the woman speaking to me in English?
And in less than 5 seconds, it goes back.
Did my sister get out of the car?
And I told my sister.
I'm going to take the exam. We were speaking in Spanish. And that woman, I think... What affected her? Was she upset? So I go back inside the office. I go straight to the man who speaks Spanish. I didn't care anymore. I just went inside.
And the man tells me I can't bring a translator or an interpreter; it has to be English. I just said thank you, and I didn't say anything else.