State Rep. Kip Capley, R-Summertown, has introduced legislation aimed at improving road safety across Tennessee by requiring all driver’s license tests to be administered in English. House Bill 0556 would mandate that the written portion of the exam be given exclusively in English, without the use of dictionaries, electronic devices, or interpreters. “This bill ensures […]
State Rep. Kip Capley, R-Summertown, has introduced legislation aimed at improving road safety across Tennessee by requiring all driver’s license tests to be administered in English.
House Bill 0556 would mandate that the written portion of the exam be given exclusively in English, without the use of dictionaries, electronic devices, or interpreters.
“This bill ensures that every driver on our roads can read, understand, and respond to traffic signs and hazards,” Capley said.
Currently, Tennessee offers the driver’s license exam in five languages: English, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and German. The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security administered 551,313 driver tests statewide in 2024. Of those, 90,396 or 16% were given in a language other than English.
“If someone cannot read or understand road signs, they not only risk their own safety but that of all drivers,” Capley said. “It’s a safety issue, much like impaired driving.”