Proposed on Jan. 23, Senate Bill 123 intends to limit written and road skills driving tests to only being available in English. The bill is meant to standardize the testing process to improve accuracy among testers.
Driving tests are currently available in multiple languages to help improve comprehension in non-native speakers. It also makes it safer for them to be on the roads. By providing road regulations in multiple languages, it creates a similar experience on the road for everyone and makes it safer for all drivers.
Currently, the test is available in over 20 languages including English, Spanish, Arabic, French and Chinese. From 2008 to 2009, 10,000 to 12,000 people took their driving test in a language other than English in Kentucky.
This push to restrict driving tests has been seen across several states. Florida’s Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles mandated that all driving tests be proctored and taken in English. Alabama and Tennessee both have house bills, Alabama House Bill 88 and Tennessee House Bill 556, ratifying similar legislation.
These states all have large populations of people speaking English as a second language or are designated as English learners. 10% of people in Florida, 5.3% of people in Alabama and 6.6% of people in Tennessee are designated English learners. As for Kentucky, 3% of the population speaks English as a second language or are designated as English learners. These are populations that will most likely be directly affected by these bills.
All the bills currently proposed reduce accessibility for immigrants and refugees to earn their driver’s permits and licenses. If put in place, driving tests will not only be testing a person’s ability to understand road laws and operate vehicles, but also their ability to read and comprehend English.
To comment on Senate Bill 123 in Kentucky, Kentuckians can reach out to their senators. Contact information for senators, by district, is available to the public on the Kentucky General Assembly website.
