SPONSOR: Sassmann
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Transportation by a vote of 9 to 5.
Currently, the written portion of the test for a commercial driver's license or permit must be taken in English, and no translators are allowed for the test.
This bill extends those requirements to noncommercial driver's licenses.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that the driver’s exam should be in English. The Constitution says English is the official language. To practice safe driving, people must be able to read the signs, markings, and other directions. This bill makes the standard tests consistent with commercial driver’s licenses. Some signs give specific information outside the more widely-known shaped and colored signs. Supporters further state that this is a way to assimilate individuals into our culture like the melting pot is supposed to. This bill supports road safety and the state should focus on reducing lives lost on the roadways.
Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Sassmann; and Arnie Dienoff.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
OTHERS: Others testifying on the bill say the Department of Revenue does not issue the tests. The Highway Patrol handles all driver license testing; the Department of Revenue issues licenses.
Testifying in person on the bill was Joshua Shewmaker, Department of Revenue.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: