Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a new law eliminating driving tests in languages other than English, effective immediately. The measure restricts the written driving exam to English only, barring applicants who are not proficient in English from taking the test in their native tongue.
Previously, Florida allowed driving tests in multiple languages, including Spanish, French, and Vietnamese. The change, signed amid a heated national immigration debate, is the latest in a series of state-level immigration-related policies.
Supporters of the law argue that requiring English-only driving tests ensures all drivers can understand traffic signs and safety instructions, thereby improving road safety. Critics, including immigrant rights groups and minority community advocates, call the law discriminatory. They say it unfairly targets legal immigrants, limiting their ability to integrate and participate in daily life.
The law took effect immediately upon signing, with no transition period for those who had already scheduled tests in other languages. The change is expected to significantly impact non-English-speaking residents, particularly in Florida’s high-immigration areas such as Miami-Dade County.
