- A Tennessee bill requires driver’s tests be written in English only.
- Applicants who fail could receive an 18 month restricted license.
- Supporters say it’s about safety, critics warn of uninsured drivers.
There’s a growing push in the USA to increase road safety by targeting drivers who don’t read or write in English. Now, that push is making its way through the Tennessee state legislation. Lawmakers want to ensure that anyone taking a driver’s test completes the written portion in English. Supporters say the move could improve safety, while critics warn it might have the opposite effect.
More: Florida Just Banned All Non-English Driver’s License Exams
House Bill 1708, introduced by Rep. Kip Capley, would require all written driver’s license tests to be administered in English. Applicants who cannot pass the test would still be eligible for a restricted license lasting up to 18 months, allowing travel to work, school, daycare, medical appointments, places of worship, and similar essential destinations.
Lawmakers Extend Temporary License
According to WBIR, lawmakers recently approved an amendment extending the restricted license period from one year to 18 months while also expanding the list of permitted travel reasons. Supporters argue the change is about ensuring drivers can understand road signs, warnings, and official instructions. That’s the same reasoning that we’ve seen across plenty of other states regarding over-the-road truckers.
Capley said during the committee hearing that the state should not be responsible for helping applicants learn English, adding that driving is a privilege rather than a right. “If you want something bad enough, you’re going to go get it,” Capley said during the House Transportation Committee meeting.
Safety Concerns From Critics
Not everyone agrees, though. Rep. Justin Pearson raised concerns that the bill could unintentionally make roads less safe by pushing some drivers to remain unlicensed.
Pearson argued that if the state requires English-only testing, it should also provide resources such as tutoring to help applicants meet the requirement. Without those resources, he warned the policy could create barriers even for people who are legally living in Tennessee.
He also said the proposal was not requested by the state’s Department of Safety and could lead to more uninsured drivers if people are unable to obtain licenses.
The bill passed the House Transportation Committee by a 16-3 vote and now heads to the Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee, where lawmakers will decide whether it moves closer to becoming law.
