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The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
Proposed legislation has been introduced by two Republican lawmakers that would affect the type of driver license an individual can receive in Tennessee if their English is not up to snuff.
Sponsored by Representative Kip Capley (R-Summertown-District 71), House Bill 1708 (HB1708) requires that an individual applying for a driver license speak and read English “sufficiently.”
Should an applicant fail to meet this standard, they would be issued a restricted license valid for a year only, at which time they would be mandated to re-take the written driver license exam in English in order for an unrestricted license to be issued.
Currently, the Tennessee Department of Safety offers the exams in several languages including German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish, in addition to English.
The companion Senate Bill 1889 (SB1889) is being sponsored by Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis-District 31)
The legislation also requires evidence that the applicant is either a United States citizen, a lawful permanent resident, or has temporary lawful resident status before a vehicle may be registered to them.
Last year, Capley sponsored a similar bill that would have required that all written driver license testing within the state be administered in English only.
House Bill 0556 (HB0556) would also have prohibited the use of any kind of aid in taking the written exam such as a translation dictionary, electronic device, or an interpreter.
While the bill’s counterpart, Senate Bill 1373 (SB1373), sponsored by Senator Bo Watson (R-Hixson-District 11) seemed to be making good progress, the House bill failed to make it out of the House Transportation Subcommittee with members of the subcommittee voting to defeat it 5 to 3.
Conservative Tennessee State Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma-District 16) has also introduced legislation this year to keep drivers with a commercial license off the roads if unable to read and speak the English language.
Senate Bill 1748 (SB1748) would require that an enforcement officer issue an “out-of-service order” to any driver with a commercial driver license should the officer determine during the course of a safety inspection that the driver is not proficient in reading and speaking English. The proposed legislation lines up with federal requirements and would also apply penalties against the employers of the drivers.
President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order last year requiring that drivers of commercial vehicles be properly qualified and also be proficient in English.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
WHO!! in the House Transportation Subcommittee voted against prohibiting the use of any kind of aid in taking the DL written exam such as a translation dictionary, electronic device, or an interpreter???