Related videos:
All theoretical and practical exams for obtaining a driver's license in Florida will be administered exclusively in English starting Friday, February 6th.
According to reported by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), the measure applies to all classifications of licenses, including oral exams, and eliminates the option of using translation services during the tests.
The FLHSMV explained that, with the new policy, "all theoretical and practical exams for obtaining a driver's license will be conducted in English" and that printed exams in languages other than English will be removed.
The agency also indicated that it has updated the examination system throughout the state to implement the change.
From now on, the use of interpreters or translation services for theoretical or practical tests will not be allowed.
Also, printed exam materials in other languages will be eliminated.
The FLHSMV specified that previously, most theoretical exams for non-commercial licenses were offered in several languages.
In contrast, the theoretical exams for the Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) and the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) were available only in English and Spanish.
With the announced modification, all the modalities will be in English exclusively.
The agency framed its decision within the context of its road safety objective, stating that it aims to "ensure safety on the roads" through clear communication, understanding of traffic laws, and responsible behavior behind the wheel.
The announcement confirms that the change is state-wide and uniform, stating that the FLHSMV updated the examination system across Florida, and that the new requirement applies to all classes of licenses, with no exceptions mentioned in the text.
Since mid-2025, Florida has been the scene of a series of restrictive measures that directly affect immigrants in the areas of transportation and driver's licenses.
In April of that year, an executive order from the federal government required all truck drivers in the United States to demonstrate proficiency in English, which raised concerns among transporters in the southern part of the state.
Many of them, of Cuban and Latino origin, warned that the regulation would create unjustified work barriers for thousands of experienced workers who have limited language proficiency.
Shortly thereafter, in August 2025, the state tightened its own controls following a fatal accident on the Florida Turnpike involving an undocumented immigrant truck driver.
The event triggered a wave of state measures, including the conversion of agricultural stations into immigration control points and the requirement for English proficiency tests for commercial drivers.
The Florida Attorney General argued that the so-called "sanctuary states" were jeopardizing road safety by issuing licenses to immigrants without proper immigration verification.
Filed under: