March 2, 2007: Contact your State Senator to Vote NO on SB201 - Prohibiting Translation of Drivers License Exams

Dear Friends -

SB201, the bill prohibiting written drivers license exams to be translated into other languages, will be voted on the Senate Floor on Monday evening, March 5th. Please call your state senator and ask them to vote NO on SB201.

Background

• Tennessee is one of 44 states that currently allows drivers license exams to be given in different languages. According to Tennessee Department of Safety testimony in the House Sub-Committee on Public Safety and Rural Roads (4/11/06), there are no statistics that indicate that Tennessee drivers who take translated tests are less safe than those who take the exam in English. In addition, undocumented immigrants can no longer get drivers licenses in Tennessee so SB201 only affects immigrants who are in this country legally.

Talking Points

• SB201 targets and unfairly discriminates against people in Tennessee who can't read English. A citizen from Puerto Rico will not be able to drive to work. The Korean grandmother who has relocated to Tennessee to be with her family will not be able to drive her grandchildren to school. The German wife of a U.S. serviceman serving in Iraq will not be able to drive to the grocery store.

•  SB201 violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Title VI says that "no person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefit of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal funds assistance." Therefore, Title VI requires information and services to be provided in languages other than English when significant numbers of beneficiaries are of limited English speaking ability. SB201, which prohibits translation of driver’s license exams, may violate Title VI and jeopardize federal funds received by the Tennessee Department of Safety.

• SB201 creates an unfriendly and hostile climate for overseas businesses interested in relocating to Tennessee. In 2004, Japanese investment in Tennessee exceeded $9.4 billion and created over 40,000 jobs. However, if SB201 were to become law, international companies will be more inclined to go to neighboring states like Georgia and Alabama that offer drivers license exams in over ten languages.

ACTION by Monday afternoon, March 5 - Contact your State Senator and urge them to vote AGAINST SB201.

Many thanks!