A policy shift quietly rolled out last week is set to change how Floridians earn a driver’s license — and state officials say a deadly crash is the reason why.
According to the New York Post, for the first time in nearly 20 years, all driver’s license exams in Florida must now be taken entirely in English.
The new requirement, announced by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, took effect Friday and applies to both written and practical tests.
State officials said the move is intended to improve safety on Florida roads by ensuring drivers can clearly understand traffic laws, road signs, and instructions.
The change follows a fatal crash last summer that killed three people and triggered intense scrutiny of language standards for licensed drivers.
Authorities said the crash involved Hardjiner Singh, an illegal immigrant who was driving a tractor-trailer when he allegedly attempted an illegal U-turn. The maneuver caused a collision that left three people dead, officials said.
After the crash, investigators determined Singh had obtained a commercial driver’s license in California despite repeatedly failing English proficiency-related exams elsewhere.
Records showed Singh failed the commercial driver’s license knowledge test 10 times in Washington state over two months. He also failed the air brakes exam twice before ultimately being licensed, according to state authorities.
Officials said Singh had entered the United States illegally in 2018 and was living in California at the time of the crash.
The incident sparked backlash from public officials and prompted Florida to reexamine its licensing standards.
“Good reform by (Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles) to require driver exams be conducted only in English,” Gov. Ron DeSantis wrote on X last week. “Need to be able to read the road signs!”
State officials said the English-only requirement is meant to “promote clear communication, understanding of traffic laws, and responsible driving behavior.”
The policy quickly drew criticism from Democrats, who argued the change unfairly targets non-English speakers.
Singh was arrested days after the crash in Stockton, California, extradited to Florida, and charged with three counts of vehicular homicide and three counts of manslaughter.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is currently being held without bond in the St. Lucie County Jail.
State officials say the new policy is designed to prevent similar tragedies and ensure that drivers operating on Florida roads can fully understand the rules meant to keep the public safe.
