Florida Implements English-Only Driving Exams

New policy creates confusion and long lines as it takes effect with little notice

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Florida has joined three other states in requiring driving exams to be taken exclusively in English, causing confusion and long lines as the policy took effect with less than a week's notice. The abrupt change had people scrambling to complete their exams in their preferred language before the Friday cutoff, leading to technical issues and a disconnect between driving schools and the DMV on the implementation of the new rules.

Why it matters

The new English-only requirement for driving exams in Florida raises concerns about accessibility and equity, as it may create barriers for non-English speakers seeking to obtain a driver's license. The rushed implementation has also led to technical problems and a lack of transparency from state officials.

The details

Under the new policy, driving exams in Florida can only be taken in English, effective immediately as of last Friday. This has resulted in long lines at DMV offices as test-takers rushed to complete their exams in their preferred language before the deadline. Driving schools have reported technical issues, with the system shutting down completely on the last day of multi-language testing. There also appears to be a disconnect between the DMV and driving schools, with conflicting information on whether the English-only update has been fully implemented.

  • The new English-only driving exam policy took effect in Florida on Friday, February 3, 2026.
  • On Thursday, February 2, 2026, the state's testing system reportedly shut down after 3:30 PM, preventing further multi-language exams.

The players

Tamia Morales

A Florida resident who was trying to take her driving test before the English-only deadline.

Felix Ortiz

The owner of U-Drive It Driving School in Lake Worth, Florida, who has raised concerns about the implementation of the new policy.

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What they’re saying

“That's why we're trying to take the test these days”

— Tamia Morales (WPTV)

“There's almost no one here. It's all in English now, so they're not even bothering to come.”

— Felix Ortiz, Owner, U-Drive It Driving School (WPTV)

“The state decided to just eliminate all the testing after 3:30 yesterday. They were no longer able to test.”

— Felix Ortiz, Owner, U-Drive It Driving School (WPTV)

What’s next

The state has not yet responded to requests for data on the number of multi-language driving tests taken in Florida last year or addressed the implementation concerns raised by driving schools.

The takeaway

The rushed implementation of Florida's new English-only driving exam policy has created confusion, technical issues, and concerns about accessibility and equity for non-English speakers. The lack of transparency from state officials and the disconnect between the DMV and driving schools highlight the need for a more thoughtful and inclusive approach to such policy changes.