Two Republican lawmakers in Tennessee have introduced a new bill that would make English the only language for driver’s license tests and ban the use of translation aids. The bill, Senate Bill 1373, is being sponsored by Rep. Kip Capley from Summertown and Sen. Bo Watson from Hixson. If passed, the bill would make Tennessee the latest state to require all driver’s license exams to be in English only. It would also prohibit the use of translation dictionaries, electronic devices, and interpreters during the test.
This bill is not the first time the idea has been brought up. In 2024, Capley introduced a similar proposal, but it did not pass. Despite this setback, the lawmakers are back with a new version that they hope will become law. If approved, the law would go into effect on July 1.
Currently, Tennessee offers driver’s license tests in several languages, including English, Spanish, German, Korean, and Japanese. However, people taking the test in these languages are allowed to use translation dictionaries. On the other hand, no interpretation or translation services are offered, and driving tests are given in English only. Interestingly, the test is not available in the state’s third and fourth most-spoken languages, Arabic and Chinese.
The proposed bill has sparked heated debates, with critics saying that it would hurt non-English speaking communities in Tennessee and lead to unfair treatment. Many immigrant rights activists believe that the bill would make it harder for people who do not speak English fluently to get a driver’s license, affecting their ability to work and commute.
Luis Mata, a policy coordinator with the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, spoke out against the bill, saying it would violate the Civil Rights Act and make roads less safe. According to Mata, the bill would make it more difficult for immigrant families to travel to work or school, and this could create even more challenges for people who already face economic difficulties.
Mata also expressed concern about what this bill could mean for future laws. He believes that limiting the languages available for driver’s license tests is only the beginning and that it might lead to a situation where other important documents, like ballots and government forms, are only available in English. He also argued that Tennessee’s growing diversity is one of the state’s strengths and that this bill targets immigrant communities unfairly.
On the other hand, supporters of the bill argue that English should be the official language for important state matters, including driver’s tests. They say that requiring drivers to know English would ensure that everyone on the road can understand the rules and signs, leading to safer roads. The sponsors of the bill did not respond to requests for comments, but they are pushing for the bill to be passed quickly.
The controversy surrounding this bill is not new. Last year, a group of immigrant organizations, including the Our State, Our Languages Coalition, filed complaints with federal agencies. They argue that the state should offer driver’s license tests in more languages to avoid discrimination based on national origin. They also pointed out that the U.S. Department of Transportation guidelines could require including other languages, such as Vietnamese, Somali, Swahili, and Kurdish.
If passed, Senate Bill 1373 would only apply to written driver’s license tests. It would not change the fact that driving tests, including road tests, are only offered in English. As the debate continues, lawmakers and residents are weighing in on whether this bill would improve safety or create more obstacles for the immigrant community in Tennessee.
(Source : newsbreak.com)