{"id":147038,"date":"2026-02-07T09:01:22","date_gmt":"2026-02-07T09:01:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/147038\/"},"modified":"2026-02-07T09:01:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-07T09:01:22","slug":"the-internet-is-absolutely-losing-it-over-floridas-mind-boggling-new-law","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/147038\/","title":{"rendered":"The Internet Is Absolutely Losing It Over Florida’s Mind-Boggling New Law"},"content":{"rendered":"

The DMV is famously unpleasant, but Florida just found a way to make getting your driver’s license even more complicated.\"People<\/p>\n

Thad \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Starting Friday, Feb. 6, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) announced<\/a>\u00a0that all driver’s license exams will be available only in English. This change applies to both commercial and non-commercial licenses, and eliminates tests previously offered in languages such as Spanish and Haitian Creole, as well as the option to use an interpreter.<\/p>\n

@PopCrave \/ Chouaaib Babaoui via Alamy \/\u00a0Monika Wisniewska via Alamy \/ Via Twitter: @PopCrave<\/a><\/p>\n

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As you’d expect, the new law is sparking a lot of debate online. The main argument<\/a> of supporters is that the English-only tests will improve road safety because road signs are all in English.\"A<\/p>\n

Grace Cary \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

But for many, that rationalization simply isn’t cutting it. One Reddit user pushed back, saying<\/a>, “Guess what \u2014 safety-critical road signs are identified by shape, color, and design… Not words. This is so they can be unambiguously interpreted fast, including by people with disabilities or who speak a different language.”\"Various<\/p>\n

KTSDESIGN \/ Getty Images\/Science Photo Library RF<\/p>\n

Many who oppose the law are calling it<\/a> xenophobic and racist, especially given Florida’s diverse demographics. According to the US Census Bureau<\/a>, 28.7% of the state’s population identifies as Hispanic or Latino, and 30.1% of households report<\/a> speaking a non-English language at home \u2014 most commonly Spanish, which is spoken in 22% of households.\"Florida<\/p>\n

ILLiePhotography \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

“Florida’s decision to end multilingual driver’s license tests creates needless barriers for Spanish-speaking communities,” wrote Florida Rep. Lois Frankel on X.<\/p>\n

@RepLoisFrankel \/ Via Twitter: @RepLoisFrankel<\/a><\/p>\n

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Many also emphasized how out of touch an English-only mandate feels in a country with no official language…\"Tweet…especially in a state whose literal name derives from Spanish.\"Tweet @princesshayah_ \/ Via x.com<\/a><\/p>\n

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“leaving this here,” one X user wrote alongside a screenshot explaining that “Florida” comes from the Spanish La Florida, meaning “land of flowers.”<\/p>\n

@umberrrrr \/ @PopCrave \/ Chouaaib Babaoui via Alamy \/ Monika Wisniewska via Alamy \/ Via Twitter: @umberrrrr<\/a><\/p>\n

“Just racist for no reason,” one person wrote.\"Tweet @robinsbxckley \/ Via x.com<\/a>“30% of households in Florida don’t speak English as primary language at home. Cruelty is the point,” added another.\"TweetPeople online also warned of broader political consequences, pointing to Florida’s voter ID requirements<\/a> and the law’s potential impact on voting access for many Floridians.\"Tweet<\/p>\n

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Some believe this change may have the opposite effect, making roads less safe by encouraging more unlicensed driving.\"TweetIn short, these three words basically sum up how people are feeling:<\/p>\n

@TheGirlUnsure \/\u00a0@PopCrave \/ Chouaaib Babaoui via Alamy \/ Monika Wisniewska via Alamy \/ Via Twitter: @TheGirlUnsure<\/a><\/p>\n

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.<\/p>\n

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Read it on BuzzFeed.com<\/a><\/p>\n