NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee lawmakers are considering a bill that would require driver license applicants who cannot speak and read English sufficiently to receive a restricted license for one year before taking the written exam in English.
Under HB1708, applicants who do not meet the English requirement would be issued a restricted license allowing them to travel only to certain places. Right now, as the bill is written, that includes: work, school or medical appointments. After one year, they would be required to retake the written driver’s license exam in English.
“This is purely a public safety bill,” said state Rep. Kip Capley, the bill’s sponsor…