Florida Requires All Driver’s License Exams To Be Taken in English
Florida has taken a decisive step toward reinforcing road safety and restoring common-sense standards by mandating that all driver’s license exams be administered exclusively in English.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) confirmed that beginning Friday, February 6, every driver’s license knowledge and skills examination — whether commercial or non-commercial — will be conducted solely in English. The policy applies to written tests, oral exams, and practical driving evaluations. Translation services and interpreters will no longer be permitted.
“Beginning Friday, February 6th, all driver’s license knowledge and skills examinations will be administered exclusively in English,” the department said in a statement. “This change applies to all driver license classifications, including exams administered orally.”
Previously, Florida offered non-commercial knowledge exams in multiple languages. Commercial driver’s license (CDL) tests and learner’s permit exams were limited to English and Spanish. Under the revised standard, however, every form of testing — written, spoken, and skills-based — will be given entirely in English.
The department noted that its statewide testing systems have already been updated to eliminate non-English materials and block translation services.
“Language translation services will no longer be permitted for knowledge or skills examinations, and any printed exams in languages other than English will be removed for use,” the release continued.
State officials argue the move is rooted in public safety, not politics. Clear communication on the road, they contend, is essential to preventing accidents and ensuring drivers understand traffic laws, road signs, and emergency instructions.
“FLHSMV remains committed to ensuring safe roadways for all Floridians and visitors by promoting clear communication, understanding of traffic laws, and responsible driving behavior,” the statement read.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis applauded the reform, calling it a straightforward matter of responsibility and safety. Writing on X, he stated: “Good reform by @FLHSMV to require driver exams be conducted only in English,” DeSantis wrote. “Need to be able to read the road signs!”
The reform has also been welcomed by transportation safety advocates who have long argued that English proficiency is fundamental — especially for commercial drivers operating large trucks across state lines.
James Lamb, executive director of the Small Business in Transportation Coalition (SBTC), described Florida’s action as a long-overdue enforcement of federal standards that have existed for decades.
“For four years, the SBTC has zealously pursued public policies across the nation that would result in states testing for English language proficiency in furtherance of Federal Regulations that have been in place since 1937 under 49 CFR 391.11(b)(2),” Lamb said. “We have repeatedly pointed to the 2002 DOT Inspector General’s CDL Standards Audit report as the compelling incentive to do so.”
Lamb further noted that enforcement of English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements for truck drivers has returned under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump during his second term.
“We have also called for truckers found not in compliance with the ELP regulation to be placed out of service, a policy that has returned as of June 26, 2025, by order of President Trump,” he said.
According to Lamb, the Florida decision aligns with broader federal efforts to tighten licensing requirements and protect American motorists.
“Our efforts culminated in the introduction of Connor’s Law, introduced last year in both the House by Rep. Taylor and the Senate by Senator Lummis, and additional bills that would effect legislation to guard who is qualified to be licensed to drive a truck and who must be removed from the road when they are not,” he said. “And now, the essence of Connor’s Law is about to pass in the Consolidated Appropriations Act’s Transportation bill, one of six bills in that package.”
He added that the measure reflects what many Americans view as basic, common-sense governance.
“There is no better way for a state to test for trucker English proficiency than to administer the CDL knowledge and skills tests in, well, English,” Lamb said. “In the state of Florida, at least, common sense will now prevail effective February 6th. We hope other states will follow.”
Florida now stands as the first state in recent years to formally eliminate multilingual testing across all driver’s license classifications. Supporters argue the reform could serve as a model for other states seeking to reinforce uniform standards, uphold federal law, and prioritize public safety over political correctness.
At its core, the debate centers on a fundamental question: Should operating a motor vehicle — particularly a commercial truck — require full comprehension of the language used on American road signs, safety warnings, and legal codes? Florida’s leadership has answered with a clear yes.