US Driver
Languages you can take the New York permit test in
DMV says the Class D permit test is given in 20 languages: English, Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Bosnian, Chinese, French, Greek, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Urdu, Yiddish.
The list has one Chinese entry, written "Chinese". DMV does not say whether it is simplified or traditional characters, and does not say Mandarin or Cantonese.
The test can be taken on a touch screen or on paper (Driver's Manual, Chapter 1: "can be taken via touch screen test stations or on paper"). DMV's permit test page does not say which languages are on paper.
Oral test: DMV's list of offices shows a "Knowledge Test Oral" service at some offices. At some it is by appointment, at others it is given at the same time as the written exams, and some offices say oral tests are not given. The list does not say in which languages. We read only part of that list, so call the office before you go.
Interpreters: the permit test page says nothing about bringing an interpreter. DMV's Language Access Plan says that for official business DMV provides a free independent interpreter, and that family, friends and minors generally may not interpret. One office listing says interpreters for foreign languages are scheduled by appointment only.
The driver's manual: DMV offers the New York State Driver's Manual in English (MV-21) and Spanish (MV-21S) only. There is no Chinese edition.
The online permit test for applicants under 18: DMV's permit test page does not say which languages it is offered in.