The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles announced on Friday that beginning Feb. 6, all driver’s license knowledge and skills examinations will be administered exclusively in English.According to a news release FLHSMV sent out, knowledge exams for most non-commercial driver license classifications were offered in multiple languages, while Commercial Learner’s Permit and Commercial Driver License knowledge exams were only available in English and Spanish.Under the updated policy, they say that all driver’s license knowledge and skills testing will be conducted in English. To implement this change, FLHSMV has updated its driver license testing system statewide. Language translation services will no longer be permitted for knowledge or skills examinations, and any printed exams for languages other than English will be removed for useThe state said the change is aiming to enhance road safety by ensuring drivers understand traffic laws and signs. Lukas Escobar from Cape Coral, who holds a Florida license, shared his perspective, saying, “When I came here, I didn’t speak English, but I knew how to drive. People that don’t speak English can also drive. I mean, they probably been driving for many years. But again, I also see why they would want them to learn, you know, the language and pass the exam in the native language.”At the Lee County Tax Collector’s Office and DMV in Fort Myers, some drivers expressed support for the change.Dondarius McBride from Fort Myers said, “That’s good. I feel like it’s better because they can have a better chance at a passing exam.”The decision follows an incident on Aug. 12, when a truck driver who did not speak English made an illegal U-turn on Florida’s Turnpike, resulting in the deaths of three people. Harjinder Singh, who held a commercial driver’s license from California, was charged with three counts of vehicular homicide.State officials emphasize that the goal of this change is to keep Floridians and visitors safe on the roads. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. —

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles announced on Friday that beginning Feb. 6, all driver’s license knowledge and skills examinations will be administered exclusively in English.

According to a news release FLHSMV sent out, knowledge exams for most non-commercial driver license classifications were offered in multiple languages, while Commercial Learner’s Permit and Commercial Driver License knowledge exams were only available in English and Spanish.

Under the updated policy, they say that all driver’s license knowledge and skills testing will be conducted in English. To implement this change, FLHSMV has updated its driver license testing system statewide.

Language translation services will no longer be permitted for knowledge or skills examinations, and any printed exams for languages other than English will be removed for use

The state said the change is aiming to enhance road safety by ensuring drivers understand traffic laws and signs.

Lukas Escobar from Cape Coral, who holds a Florida license, shared his perspective, saying, “When I came here, I didn’t speak English, but I knew how to drive. People that don’t speak English can also drive. I mean, they probably been driving for many years. But again, I also see why they would want them to learn, you know, the language and pass the exam in the native language.”

At the Lee County Tax Collector’s Office and DMV in Fort Myers, some drivers expressed support for the change.

Dondarius McBride from Fort Myers said, “That’s good. I feel like it’s better because they can have a better chance at a passing exam.”

The decision follows an incident on Aug. 12, when a truck driver who did not speak English made an illegal U-turn on Florida’s Turnpike, resulting in the deaths of three people. Harjinder Singh, who held a commercial driver’s license from California, was charged with three counts of vehicular homicide.

State officials emphasize that the goal of this change is to keep Floridians and visitors safe on the roads.

DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.