Driver's license with little English

[Caleb Aaron 4]

My wife has been in the States with me for almost three months now, and she's learning English on the fly. She is Belgian, and her mother tongue is German. 

She is a very good driver and a Belgian international DL holder, but my understanding is that her Belgian license is not valid for the long term here in Ohio. We both want her to get her American license as soon as she can, but her English is not good enough to take the exam yet. I don't believe the written exams are available in German. Has anybody had this issue, and possibly a solution? 

 

Thanks for any help. 

 

Caleb

[igoyougoduke 1,656]

not much choice but spend more time and learn English faster.   you can practice questions at home to get through the exam.  you can find sample questions online.  Takes some effort though 

[TBoneTX 45,287]

Sign her up for free English classes at churches or other places that offer them.

Or, enroll her in intensive-English courses, which might be best for her in the longer run.

Immediately, show her every sign in your state's Driver Manual and tell her the translations.

[green_rabbit 69]

In my state, you can have a translator over the phone for the written test, and I believe in the car for the practical test as well. I'd ask at the DMV what they offer.

[JFH 12,190]

Learning English is a useful skill so this should give her even more motivation to learn it faster. Is she currently working? If not, have her use her free time by enrolling in online classes or local English classes. Immerse her in English at every opportunity. Even if you can speak German, don’t. 

[Prizm123 1,086]

my wife just watched youtube videos to learn english. i offered to have her go to a class for it, but she said the videos are fine. she was able to take the written test in english

[MarryMe987654 244]

On 4/7/2021 at 9:56 PM, Caleb Aaron said:

My wife has been in the States with me for almost three months now, and she's learning English on the fly. She is Belgian, and her mother tongue is German. 

She is a very good driver and a Belgian international DL holder, but my understanding is that her Belgian license is not valid for the long term here in Ohio. We both want her to get her American license as soon as she can, but her English is not good enough to take the exam yet. I don't believe the written exams are available in German. Has anybody had this issue, and possibly a solution? 

 

Thanks for any help. 

 

Caleb

When I took my written exam 2 years ago in Florida, I was asked for the language of the exam that I am going to be taking. I saw other people taking the exam in other languages as well... That might be an option available for your wife.

[Skyman 321]

On 4/8/2021 at 10:56 AM, Caleb Aaron said:

but my understanding is that her Belgian license is not valid for the long term here in Ohio.

Some years ago I tracked down, finally calling the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Ohio, that a foreign licence is good for a year unless you get a job or enroll in school.  I have to add that is for a license in English so if her license isn't in English that might be a problem.  An international license isn't really a license but just an English interpretation of her Belgian license so that might work.  That would at least give her some more time.  Might be a good idea to enroll her in a driving school if her English is good enough for that.  My wife is a good driver but I plan to put her through driving school when I can.

[Bug&Bug 147]

Have you tried asking for accomodations? I think my states DMV has an email for that, maybe check?