Despite objections from those in the pro-illegal-business and advocacy communities, House Republicans have given final approval to a measure that will require Tennessee driver’s tests to be administered only in English. One proponent of the bill suggested amending it to require groups opposing it to provide money for a significant damages fund for Tennesseans killed or injured on Tennessee roads by illegal aliens.
House Bill 1708, sponsored by Republican Rep. Kip Capley, will require all driver’s tests to be administered in English, without the use of translation tools, interpreters, or digital devices. It will also require proof of citizenship and deny vehicle registration renewals to those who cannot provide proof of legal status in the U.S.
Drivers who come to Tennessee unable to speak English will be permitted to take the driver’s test in another language and obtain a temporary license, valid for one year, but severely restricted to driving only to work, school, medical visits, and religious services.
Currently, written driver’s license tests in Tennessee are offered only in English, Spanish, German, Korean, and Japanese. Test takers may bring a translation dictionary. Driving tests are only offered in English.
The House passed the bill 78 to 17 on Monday. The Senate Finance Committee approved the measure on Tuesday, and it now goes to the Senate floor for final approval, which is expected to pass easily. The two chambers will have to reconcile slightly different versions,with the Senate providing test takers a three-year delay before requiring the test to be taken fully in English.
Arguing in favor of his legislative proposal, Capely said: “A driver’s license is not just a privilege, it’s a responsibility. If you’re going to drive on our roads, then you should be able to understand the language of those roads. It’s not radical; it’s not extreme. It’s safe, it’s accountability — and frankly, it’s respect for every other driver on the road.”
Liberal Democrat Rep. Aftyn Behn opposed the bill, saying it represents “a culminating moment for xenophobia in this state.” She pointed to opposition by the Tennessee Chamber, the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, and business interests across the state that have worked to stop this bill for the past 20 years.
“It inhibits economic development, and it compromises our relationship with international partners like the country of Japan,” Behn said.
Behn pledged outreach to Japanese companies ahead of a Japanese economic development conference coming to Nashville in October to let businesses know why “their hardworking employees that have made a life in Tennessee … won’t be able to drive.” She failed to point out that that would only be true if they were incapable of passing the driving test in English and unable to read English-language road signs.
“We’re done being nice,” Behn argued in opposing the bill, though some in the Republican caucus questioned when Behn had ever been “nice”.
“My promise to you, Rep. Capley, is to put your face and your name on a giant billboard in downtown Nashville, indicating that you are the sponsor of this bill and that this is the highlight of your career. You’re welcome,” Behn stated on the floor of the House.
Capley responded that he would welcome that. Others questioned whether Behn’s promised billboard would be in English, since it probably diminishes the impact if it’s in Japanese.
Steve Gill is editor and publisher of TriStar Daily.
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