Florida Restricts Driver License Exams To English Only

Starting February 7, 2026, a major change will hit Florida’s roads: all driver’s license exams, whether for commercial or noncommercial vehicles, will be administered exclusively in English, with no interpreters or translation services allowed. The decision, announced by the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), has sparked a flurry of reactions across the state, which is home to one of the most linguistically diverse populations in the country.

For many Floridians, particularly those who speak limited English, the looming deadline has led to anxiety and a rush to secure testing appointments before their native language options disappear. Jacksonville resident Ana Valdes, who has been preparing for her driver’s license exam for months, described her feelings as a mix of stress and worry. Speaking through an interpreter, Valdes explained, “[I feel] anxiety and worried, because imagine not dominating English perfectly.” She quickly booked her test after learning about the policy change, but like many, she fears she won’t fully understand the exam if it’s not in her native language. “If they could give us a bit more time, it would be beneficial to all because we aren’t going to be able to learn English from one day to the next,” she added, hoping for some leniency.

Until now, Florida allowed noncommercial license exams in a range of languages including Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian. Commercial license exams were previously offered in English and Spanish. But as of February 7, that’s all history. The FLHSMV insists the change is about safety and consistency, stating in its press release that Florida is taking a leading role in highway safety by requiring all driver’s license exams to be taken in English and without an interpreter.

The move comes in the wake of a tragic accident in August 2025, when Harjinder Singh, a tractor-trailer driver in the U.S. illegally who had received his commercial driver’s license in California, attempted an illegal U-turn on Florida’s Turnpike. The crash killed three people. After the accident, Singh reportedly failed an English proficiency test. The incident triggered a wave of calls from some Florida politicians for stricter language requirements, arguing that those who cannot read English should not be allowed to get driver’s licenses.

Governor Ron DeSantis has been a vocal supporter of the new policy. On January 31, 2026, he posted on X, “Good reform by [Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles] to require driver exams be conducted only in English. Need to be able to read the road signs!” For DeSantis and other proponents, the logic is straightforward: ensuring that every driver can read English-language road signs will make Florida’s roadways safer.

But not everyone agrees. Nikki Fried, the state’s former agriculture commissioner and current chair of the Florida Democrats, blasted the policy as discriminatory. “In one of the most multilingual states in the country, Florida is going to implement driver’s license exams exclusively in English,” Fried posted on X. “This is not about safety, this is about racism.” Her words have resonated with many in Florida’s immigrant communities, who see the shift as an unnecessary barrier to legal driving and participation in civic life.

According to U.S. Census data, about 30% of Florida residents over age 5 speak a language other than English at home. The Migration Policy Institute reports that 35% of naturalized citizens in the state have limited English proficiency. In a place where multilingualism is part of daily life, the new policy has stirred up strong emotions and raised practical concerns.

Among everyday Floridians, reactions are mixed. “I think it’s a good thing. I mean, we’re Americans and Americans should have an English language for the test,” said Jacksonville resident Terry Caldwell, echoing a sentiment shared by some who support the change. Others, however, see it differently. “I don’t think that’s fair. If people understand better in their native language, it’s no problem, as long as it’s the same test all the English readers get,” another local resident told WFOX.

Despite the heated rhetoric, there’s little hard evidence to suggest that testing drivers in languages other than English poses a unique threat to road safety. According to PolitiFact, no academic papers or government reports have shown that taking a driver’s license test in a foreign language results in drivers who are more dangerous on the road. Traffic safety experts, including those from the National Safety Council, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and AAA’s Foundation for Traffic Safety, say they’re unaware of any such research.

Joe Young, spokesperson for the IIHS, pointed out that most traffic signs in the United States rely on universal symbols and iconography rather than words. “The standard iconography and signage used across the country is meant to be easily recognizable and understandable for drivers, and so it’s unlikely that a language barrier would make a big difference in one’s understanding of this signage,” Young said. He added, “In cases where words are used, my understanding is that there’s a deliberate effort to keep phrases short and ensure letters are large enough to be easily understood.” Words and symbols are often combined—a practice known as “dual coding”—to help drivers quickly grasp crucial information.

Most research on traffic safety points to age, experience, and driver behavior—such as distracted or impaired driving—as the strongest predictors of crash risk, not language proficiency. A recent research paper did note that international drivers translating in real time may face increased mental demand and slower reaction times, but it recommended that traffic education become more visually adaptive rather than text-heavy and monolingual.

The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, which sets model guidelines for state licensing agencies, takes a nuanced view. Their guidelines state that an inability to read or speak English “is not necessarily a barrier to proper motor vehicle operation” as long as the driver meets knowledge requirements and can interpret highway signs, signals, and markings. The organization also warns that strict English-only policies could backfire, discouraging non-English speakers from seeking licenses and potentially increasing the number of unlicensed and uninsured drivers on the road. “Steps taken to accommodate the needs of foreign-speaking applicants will help prevent unqualified drivers from threatening the safety and mobility of the motoring public,” the guidelines say.

Florida joins a small group of states—such as Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming—that offer driver’s license exams only in English. Most states that allow multiple languages for the written exam still require applicants to demonstrate their ability to understand roadway signs in English, often through separate, visual-based tests.

As the new policy takes effect, it’s clear that the debate is far from over. For some, it’s a matter of public safety and unity; for others, it’s about fairness and inclusion in a state defined by its diversity. The real impact—on road safety, licensing rates, and Florida’s immigrant communities—will become apparent only with time.

For now, Floridians are left to navigate a new road, one where the language of the law is clear, but the consequences remain to be seen.