04-03-2025
Bill allows for interpreters in license road test
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A bill that allows a driver whose native language is not English to use an interpreter during a driving test for a South Dakota license is headed to the state House of Representatives.
The House Transportation Committee passed Senate Bill 193 9-3 on Tuesday. The bill had multiple supporters who testified on Tuesday and no opponent testimony, but it did get some discussion in the committee.
SB193 has already passed the Senate 33-2.
Republican Rep. Phil Jensen was one of three who voted against the bill.
'If you are in America, you need to learn to speak English,' Jensen said. 'If you want to drive you need to learn English and you need to speak English.'
In support of SB193, Republican Rep. Brian Mulder said he served in Germany for five years and passed a driver's test. He was allowed to take it in English. A person who doesn't speak English as their first language learns to read road signs, Mulder said.
Those road signs are international signs, said David Owen, a lobbyist with the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce , who testified in favor of the bill.
Bill supporters said the drivers taking the test must pay for the interpreter and the interpreter cannot provide any advice. The bill also requires interpreters to be approved by the South Dakota Department of Motor Vehicles.
Sponsor Democrat Sen. Jamie Smith said he worked with the DMV to address its concerns about the original version of the bill.
The importance of the bill to the workforce was also stressed as well as how it would help reduce the number of unlicensed drivers and uninsured drivers in the state, which Smith is good for the economy and all policy holders.
David Parsley of Madison said he was supporting a refugee family. Two adults in the family worked outside of Madison and obtaining a driver's license was important to their jobs. Although they may not be fluent in English, they are learning, Parsley said.
'I do think it will put more people into the licensed and insured category,' Republican Rep. Keri Weems said in support of SB193.
The importance of insured drivers was also stressed by Republican Rep. Amber Arlint during the discussion of SB193.
Committee chairman Republican Rep. Tony Randolph said it seems the state may be making too many accommodations for those whose primary language is not English, yet he said he wasn't going to vote against the bill. He hoped for more discussion on it on the House floor.
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