The DMV is famously unpleasant, but Florida just found a way to make getting your driver’s license even more complicated.
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As of Friday, February 6, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) has announced that all driver’s license exams will be available in English only. This change applies to both commercial and non-commercial licenses, and eliminates the tests that were previously offered in languages such as Spanish and Haitian Creole, as well as the option to use an interpreter.
@PopCrave / Chouaaib Babaoui via Alamy / Monika Wisniewska via Alamy / Via Twitter: @PopCrave
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As you might expect, the new law is sparking a lot of debate online. The main argument of supporters is that only English tests will improve road safety because the road signs are all in English.
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But for many, that rationalization just isn’t cutting it. One Reddit user pushed back, saying, “Guess what — safety-critical road signs are identified by shape, color and design… Not words. This is so they can be quickly interpreted without ambiguity, including by people with disabilities or who speak a different language.”
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Many who oppose the law are calling it xenophobic and racist, especially given Florida’s diverse demographics. According to the US Census Bureau, 28.7% of the state’s population identifies as Hispanic or Latino, and 30.1% of households report speaking a language other than English at home – most commonly Spanish, which is spoken in 22% of households.
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“Florida’s decision to end multilingual driver’s license tests creates unnecessary barriers for Spanish-speaking communities,” wrote Florida Rep. Lois Frankel on X.
@RepLoisFrankel / Via Twitter: @RepLoisFrankel
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Many also emphasized how an English-only mandate is felt in a country without an official language…
…especially in a state whose literal name comes from the Spanish.
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“Leave this here,” wrote one user X alongside a screenshot explaining that “Florida” comes from the Spanish Floridawhich means “land of flowers.”
@muberrrrrrrar / @PaCrave / Chouaib / Toikaika Winika Whouiska Alamy / Via Twitter: @umberrrrr
“Simply racist for no reason,” one person wrote.
“30% of homes in Florida do not speak English as a primary language at home. Cruelty is the point,” added another.
People online also warned of broader political consequences, drawing attention to Florida’s voter ID requirements and the law’s potential impact on voting access for many Floridians.
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Some believe this change could have the opposite effect, making the roads less safe by encouraging more unlicensed driving.
In short, these three words basically sum up how people are feeling:
@TheGirlUnsure / @PopCrave / Chouaaib Babaoui via Alamy / Monika Wisniewska via Alamy / Via Twitter: @TheGirlUnsure
What do you think? Tell us in the comments.
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