Yes, the Florida license test is English only now. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV, flhsmv.gov) announced that starting February 6, 2026, all driver license knowledge and skills exams are given in English only, including oral exams and exams through third-party testers, and translators are no longer allowed.
If you or your teen planned to test in Spanish or another language, the plan has to change, but it is very doable with the right practice. Here is what changed and what to do.
What changed and when
| Detail | Before | Since February 6, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge exam language | Offered in other languages | English only |
| Oral (read-aloud) exams | Available in other languages | English only |
| Translators or interpreters | Allowed in some cases | Not allowed |
| Third-party testers | Could offer other languages | English only |
| Printed non-English tests | Available | Removed |
The change covers both the Class E knowledge exam (the permit test) and the driving skills test. The source is FLHSMV's announcement; check flhsmv.gov for the official notice and any updates before your appointment.
Who it affects, and who it does not
- Affected: first-time Class E applicants who planned to take the knowledge exam in Spanish or another language.
- Affected: anyone who planned to use a translator or interpreter for the knowledge or driving test.
- Affected: teens under 18 testing online through an approved third-party administrator, since those exams are English only too.
- Partly affected: if you passed the knowledge exam before February 6, 2026, your driving skills test is still given in English.
- Less affected: new residents with a valid license from another state, because FLHSMV says some can skip the written and road tests. Ask your office.
- Not changed: the course you take first. Since August 1, 2025, drivers under 18 take the 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course; adults 18 and older can take the 4-hour TLSAE course or DETS.
What to do now
- Switch your study to the English edition of the Official Florida Driver License Handbook on flhsmv.gov.
- Build a list of driving words you need to look up, and review it every day.
- Take full practice tests in English until you score 45 or more out of 50 several times in a row.
- Give yourself extra time before booking. A week or two more is normal for a second-language test.
- If you test online as a teen, make sure the parent proctoring form is done and the room is quiet.
How to prepare for the test in English
The Class E knowledge exam has 50 multiple-choice questions, and FLHSMV requires 40 correct, which is 80 percent. Reading speed and vocabulary matter more when English is your second language, so practice the way you will be tested.
- Study the English handbook, not a translated copy, so the wording on test day is familiar.
- Learn the key driving words: yield, merge, right of way, pedestrian, intersection, shoulder.
- Watch for wording traps like at least, no more than and except. They decide many questions.
- Learn road signs by shape and color first. That part works in any language.
- Write every number on one page: 4 seconds following distance, 15 feet from a hydrant, 3 feet when passing a bicyclist.
FAQ
Is the Florida permit test multiple choice?
Yes. The Class E knowledge exam has 50 multiple-choice questions, and you need 40 correct to pass.
What questions are on the Florida permit test?
Questions on Florida traffic laws, safe driving and road signs, taken from the Official Florida Driver License Handbook. Expect right of way, following distance, parking distances, alcohol rules and sign meanings.
Can I take the Florida permit test in Spanish?
No. Since February 6, 2026, FLHSMV gives all driver license exams in English only.
Can I bring an interpreter to the Florida driving test?
No. FLHSMV says translators are no longer allowed for driver license exams.
Does the English-only rule apply to online teen tests?
Yes. FLHSMV says the rule includes exams given through third-party testers.
