Gov. Ron DeSantis is on board with the state removing the option to take drivers’ tests in Spanish next month.
“Good reform by FLHSMV to require driver exams be conducted only in English. Need to be able to read the road signs!”
This week, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles announced that beginning Feb. 6, all driver’s license knowledge and skills exams will be administered in English only. That shift comes despite the United States having no official language and roughly 23% of Florida residents speaking Spanish.
The change will apply to all driver’s license classifications, including oral portions of the exam. Previously, most non-commercial license exams were offered in multiple languages, while Commercial Learner’s Permit and Commercial Driver’s License knowledge exams were available in both English and Spanish.
To ensure a smooth transition, the department has already updated its statewide testing system and removed the option for language translation services, whether in print or oral form. Officials say the move is aimed at promoting roadway safety by ensuring clear communication and understanding of traffic laws, as well as responsible behavior for drivers and passengers.
The move drew criticism from Nikki Fried, the former Agriculture Commissioner and current chair of the Florida Democrats.
“In one of the most multilingual states in the country, Florida is going to implement driver’s license exams exclusively in English. This is not about safety, this is about racism. This shows exactly how Republican leaders view the immigrant community: not as neighbors or as people who contribute to Florida’s economy and culture, but as disposable people,” she posted.
The monolingual edict comes as legal proceedings continue against Harjinder Singh, accused of multiple vehiclular homicides after making an illegal u-turn on the Florida Turnpike last year.
With similar actions considered in other states, the trucking industry is mindful of a potential change to its business practices. Freight Waves, an industry publication, urges companies to audit their driver pools amid a crackdown on drivers who aren’t legally compliant.
