Missouri Representative Cynthia Davis has pre-filed legislation in Missouri that would eliminate driver’s license exams in languages other than English. House Bill 1231 would require that all applicants for a Missouri driver’s license take the exam in English without the use of a language interpreter.
Missouri is one of 41 states where residents can take their driver’s license exam in a language other than English. As of May 2009, the Show Me State offered the licensing exam in 12 languages – English, Bosnian, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese. Only eight states – Alabama California, Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan and Rhode Island – offered the exam in more languages.
Five other representatives – Brian Nieves, Jerry Nolte, Sue Allen, Marilyn Ruestman and Chuck Gatschenberger joined Rep. Davis in introducing H.B. 1231. The Missouri legislature returns to session on Jan. 6, 2010.