by Florida Implements Mandatory English-Language Exams for Drivers
The state authorities of Florida are tightening the requirements for obtaining a driver’s license, which may affect tens of thousands of residents. Starting February 6, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles will require that all license exams be taken exclusively in English, eliminating any other language options.
The new rule applies to every stage of the licensing process. From the written theory test to the practical driving exam – everything must now be completed in English without the assistance of an interpreter. This change eliminates several language options that were previously available.
One Language Without Exceptions
An official agency statement notes that previously, theory exams for most non-commercial license categories were offered in several languages, while exams for commercial licenses were available only in English and Spanish. Under the updated policy, all tests will be conducted in English.
“Under the updated policy, all knowledge and skills tests for obtaining a driver’s license will be conducted in the English language.”
The department’s Executive Director, Dave Kerner, justified this decision with public safety concerns. He emphasized that clear communication and understanding of traffic rules are crucial skills for all drivers. The idea is that anyone behind the wheel must be able to read road signs and respond to law enforcement instructions, which, in the agency’s view, requires knowledge of English.
Concerning Numbers
Nancy Millan, the Tax Collector for Hillsborough County, whose parents immigrated from Cuba, expressed concern about this change. She noted that exam translations have existed for decades, and tests were offered in languages such as Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and Chinese.
According to her, over 13,500 exams in Hillsborough County last year were conducted in a language other than English, accounting for nearly 37% of all practical driving tests in 2025. Statewide, the numbers are likely much higher, meaning tens of thousands of residents may soon face a significantly more difficult path to legally obtaining a license.
Critics of the new policy argue that it may have the opposite effect of what was intended. Instead of making roads safer, the English-only requirement could increase the number of unlicensed and uninsured drivers. Many Florida residents rely on cars, especially in areas with limited access to public transportation.
From Trucks to Passenger Cars
Florida’s new rules continue a trend that first emerged in the commercial trucking sector during the Trump administration. At that time, the federal government began strictly enforcing English proficiency rules for long-haul truckers, presenting it as a safety measure.
This policy initially concerned long-haul truckers. Drivers of vehicles weighing up to 80,000 pounds (36,287 kg) were removed from work if they did not demonstrate fluent English proficiency, reinstating a federal rule from the 1930s.
Florida’s new policy follows similar logic but expands the scope. It now applies to every prospective driver, whether they operate a truck or a passenger car.
This legislative change occurs against the backdrop of broad discussions about integration, safety, and service accessibility. While the goal – improving communication on the roads – is clear, the question is whether it will create a barrier for law-abiding citizens who actively work and raise families but have not yet achieved sufficient language proficiency. In a state with a large immigrant population, the consequences of such decisions can be profound and multifaceted, affecting mobility, employment, and social inclusion. It will be necessary to monitor how this rule impacts accident statistics and whether it leads to the development of parallel, informal systems, which could contradict the stated safety goals.
