Florida to require English-only driver’s license exams, ACLU calls it “inequitable”

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WINK) — A major policy shift from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) is set to hit the brakes on multilingual driver testing. Starting Friday, February 6, 2026, all driver’s license knowledge and skills examinations across the state must be administered exclusively in English.

The move, which applies to all license classifications—including learner’s permits and commercial driver licenses (CDL)—effectively ends decades of accommodation for Florida’s diverse population. Previously, exams were offered in nearly a dozen languages, including Spanish, Haitian Creole, Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Russian, and Vietnamese.

Under the new mandate, Florida will no longer permit the use of interpreters, translation devices, or printed exams in any language other than English. The FLHSMV defends the change as a critical step toward ensuring "safe roadways for all Floridians and visitors by promoting clear communication [and] understanding of traffic laws."

However, the change has sparked a sharp divide between those who see it as a common-sense safety measure and those who view it as a violation of civil rights.

• Supporters: Argue that drivers must be able to read and respond to English-only road signs instantly to prevent accidents.
• Opponents: Organizations like the ACLU of Florida argue the policy creates a "two-tiered system" that unfairly targets the 30.1% of Florida households that speak a language other than English at home.

By the Numbers: The Impact of the Change

The scale of the impact is significant. According to records obtained from local tax collectors:

• Hillsborough County: In 2025, approximately 37% of driver’s license skills tests (13,517 exams) were administered in languages other than English.
• Charlotte County: Data shows that over the past year, an interpreter was required 370 times for testing.
• Statewide Demographics: Recent census data indicates that 23% of Florida residents speak Spanish, and nearly 7% of the state's population is considered "Limited English Proficient" (LEP).

Language Profile in Florida (Est. 2026)	Percentage
Speak only English	70.2%
Speak language other than English	29.8%
Speak Spanish	22.2%
Speak Haitian	2.1%

Safety vs. Access

While the state emphasizes safety, data regarding the link between language and road accidents remains a point of contention. WINK Investigates has requested records from the FLHSMV to determine if non-English speaking drivers contributed to a statistically significant increase in accidents; that request is currently pending.

Meanwhile, the trucking industry is already bracing for a "meaningful" drop in available drivers. Some industry experts predict up to 400,000 drivers nationwide could be pushed out of the market as federal and state enforcement of English proficiency tightens.

"Learn to Communicate"

Local officials in Southwest Florida, like Collier County Commissioner William McDaniel, suggest the burden of adaptation lies with the residents.

"My recommendation would be to learn to communicate in English," McDaniel told WINK News.

WINK News spoke with Ali Alvarez, a driver who has concerns about the change, “honestly, for the Hispanic community, it’s going to be difficult for people who don’t speak English because they’re going to fail right away. I mean, they don’t have the option to get a license since it’s in English. If they don’t know English, how are they supposed to answer?”

As the Friday deadline approaches, tax collectors in Lee, Charlotte, and Collier counties say they are bound by law to follow the state's directive, despite the challenges it may pose to their communities.

Lee County’s Tax Collector sent WINK News the following statement:

“Florida Tax Collectors serve as agents of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) in delivering motor vehicle and driver license services, including the administration of knowledge and skills tests. As such, the Lee County Tax Collector’s Office will continue to provide driver license services in accordance with FLHSMV’s requirements, while working to ensure the best possible experience for our customers.”

The Collier County Tax Collector provided this statement to WINK News:

“Florida Tax Collectors serve as agents of FLHSMV in delivering motor vehicle and driver license services, including the administration of knowledge and driving examinations. As FLHSMV agents, Tax Collector offices do not establish testing language requirements and must administer written and driving examinations in accordance with policies and directives issued by FLHSMV.

Tax Collectors recognize that this change may present challenges for some customers, particularly in Florida’s diverse and multilingual communities. Tax Collector offices remain committed to serving all residents with professionalism, courtesy, and respect, and encourage customers who may be affected to plan accordingly and take advantage of available study resources.

Customers seeking additional information or wishing to share concerns regarding this statewide policy are encouraged to contact FLHSMV directly.

I prefer not to be interviewed.  As to your question of how the office will handle this change, it is fairly straightforward.  On Friday, February 6th, we will be administering all driver license knowledge and skills examinations exclusively in English, in compliance with FLHSMV directive.”

The ACLU released the following statement to WINK News:

“Florida’s decision to administer driver’s license services only in English is a harmful and unnecessary barrier that will disproportionately impact immigrant communities and other Floridians with limited English proficiency. Access to a driver’s license is not a luxury; it is essential for everyday life, including getting to work, taking children to school, attending medical appointments, and safely meeting basic family needs.

When state services are made accessible only to English speakers, it creates a two-tiered system where some Floridians are able to navigate public life with ease, while others are pushed into confusion, delay, and vulnerability. This kind of policy does not increase safety or efficiency. It increases hardship and deepens inequity.

Thirty percent of households in Florida speak a non-English language, meaning this haphazard state decision will have sweeping consequences for millions of families. Florida’s government should be working to ensure public services are accessible to the communities it serves, not using language as a gatekeeping tool that isolates people and makes daily life harder. Every Floridian deserves equal access to essential services, regardless of the language they speak.”

WINK News has several records requests pending on this matter. We will keep you updated as we learn more.