Tennessee Senate Bill SB1373

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55, Chapter 50, Part 3, relative to examinations for driver licenses.

Summary

SB1373 amends Tennessee’s driver licensing law to require that all written examinations for a driver license or intermediate driver license be administered in English only. The bill also prohibits applicants from using a translation dictionary, an electronic device, or an interpreter to assist during the exam. The measure would apply to the written testing process under Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55, Chapter 50, Part 3, and would take effect on July 1, 2025. In practical terms, it changes the rules for how the Department of Safety and Homeland Security may administer knowledge tests for new and intermediate drivers, limiting language-access accommodations during the exam itself.

Impact

The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-50-322 by adding a new subsection requiring English-only written driver license examinations and barring translation aids and interpreters. This directly affects driver license and intermediate driver license applicants, as well as the state agency responsible for administering licensing tests, by narrowing the methods available to assist non-English speakers during testing.

Sentiment

No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no documented debate or vote history to indicate a clear level of support or opposition. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears to reflect a policy preference for uniform English-language testing, but the available record does not show how legislators or stakeholders reacted.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely to be language access versus uniform testing standards. Supporters would likely argue that English-only testing ensures consistency and confirms applicants can read road signs and instructions in English, while opponents may argue that prohibiting translation dictionaries, electronic devices, and interpreters creates barriers for immigrants and other limited-English-proficient applicants seeking a driver license.