South Dakotans with limited English proficiency may have additional options when trying to get their drivers license. Lawmakers are considering a bill that authorizes Spanish for drivers license testing.
According to the main sponsor of the Bill, Sen. V.J. Smith, there are three states that don’t offer both English and Spanish on their tests.
“Wyoming, Utah and South Dakota. In each of these states a person can hire in interpreter at their expense who can assist them in reading the test. Since they can use an interpreter there is no implied demand, they know the English language. The argument I hear the most as to why they have a test. In time the new immigrants will learn English. In the meantime, they need to get to work and take their children to school.”
Sydney Sanin is a business owner and immigrant. He says when he moved to Pierre in 1986 federal work requirements for immigrants were so strict that finding time to learn English was difficult, making test taking even more of a struggle. He says Senate Bill 70 will change that.
“Having a test in Spanish will be so much easier for those folks to go to work, get their license, go down the road legally, drive down the road with insurance so they will be protected not just themselves but to protect the other people, I think this bill is important and I think the Spanish version of the bill will help.”
After a lengthily hearing and no opposition to the measure, lawmakers decided to take final action this coming Friday. To follow SB 70 or any other bills, visit us at sd.net.