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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Beginning Friday, February 6, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) announced that all driver’s license exams will be available in English only. The change applies to both commercial and non-commercial licenses, and removes tests previously offered in languages such as Spanish and Haitian Creole, as well as the option to use a translator.
@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. Proponents’ main argument is that English-only tests will improve road safety because road signs are all in English.
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But for many, that rationality 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. It’s easier to interpret them clearly, including by people with disabilities or those who speak a different language.”
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Many who oppose the law call 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 non-English language at home – mostly 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,” Florida Rep. Lois Frankel wrote in X.
@RepLoisFrankel / Via Twitter: @RepLoisFrankel
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Many also emphasized how an English-only mandate in a country with no official language feels…
…especially in a state whose literal name comes from Spanish.
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“Leaving it here,” one X user wrote alongside the screenshot, explaining that “Florida” comes from Spanish. FloridaMeaning “land of flowers.”
@muberrrrrrar / @PaCrave / Chouaib / Toikaika Winika Whouiska Alamy / Via Twitter: @umberrrrr
“Racist for no reason,” one person wrote.
“30% of Florida households do not speak English as a primary language at home. Cruelty is the point,” added another.
People online warned of broader political consequences, pointing to Florida’s voter ID requirements and the law’s potential impact on voting access for many Floridians.
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Some believe the 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? Let us know in the comments.
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