Statewide Policy Change: All Florida Driver License Exams to Be Administered in English Only Beginning February 6

TAMPA, Fla., January 30, 2026 – The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office is informing customers of an important policy change issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). Effective February 6th, FLHSMV has directed that all driver license knowledge and driving exams administered in the State of Florida will be offered in English only. Previously, knowledge exams for most non-commercial driver licenses were offered in multiple languages, including Spanish, Haitian-Creole, and Portuguese, among others.

The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office serves as an agent of FLHSMV in delivering motor vehicle and driver license services at the local, county level. “As an agent of the FLHSMV, the Tax Collector’s Office is required to follow all policies and directives issued by the department, including language testing requirements. We recognize this change may present real challenges for members of our diverse community,” said Tax Collector Nancy Millan.

“As a daughter of immigrants, I understand how language can be a barrier to accessing important services,” Millan said.

“We want to ensure our customers are aware of this change well in advance and encourage anyone who may be affected to plan accordingly and take advantage of study resources. Our team remains committed to treating every customer with dignity and respect while providing the best possible service experience as we implement this state-mandated requirement.”

Important information for customers:

• Effective Date: February 6, 2026
• Applies to: All driver license knowledge and driving skill exams
• Computer-based and written exams will be permitted in English only, this includes oral exams
• Language translation devices and services for driving skills exams will no longer be permitted
• This policy is mandated by FLHSMV and applies statewide, including for third party testing providers

In calendar year 2025, approximately 37 percent of driver license skills test examinations (totaling 13,517) at Hillsborough County Tax Collector offices were administered in languages other than English, reflecting the multilingual nature of the community the office serves.

Customers who have questions about driver license testing requirements are encouraged to visit the FLHSMV website at www.flhsmv.gov or the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office at https://hctc.cbmstage.com/. Specific questions about the language testing changes should be directed to FLHSMV.