Lawmakers in both chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly this week advanced legislation that would require applicants to prove their ability to read English before receiving a full driver’s license and require proof of citizenship to register a vehicle.
House Bill (HB) by State Representative Kip Capley (R-Summertown) was first advanced on Tuesday by the State House Transportation Committee, who approved the legislation for transfer to the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee in a 16-3 vote. The bill was previously approved by a subcommittee last month in an 8-1 vote.
The State Senate acted on its version of the legislation, SB 1889 by State Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis), just one day later, when the Transportation and Safety Committee advanced the bill to the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee in a 7-1 vote.
The legislation was introduced in January as part of the package of immigration bills that Republican leaders in the General Assembly said would make Tennessee into a national model for states to follow during the Trump administration.
“This bill is part of the ‘IMMIGRATION 2026’ agenda and would require applicants who cannot read and speak English to receive an un-restricted driver license for three year and retake the written driver license exam in English at renewal,” wrote Taylor in a post to X.
“Current Tennessee law allows individuals who are lawfully present in the United States to obtain a driver license, and the measure maintains that eligibility while establishing an additional requirement to promote roadway safety,” he wrote. “The bill also requires proof of U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residence, or temporary lawful resident status prior to registering a vehicle.”
🚨Even E.T. learned English when he was here before he went home!
Yesterday I passed a bill through the Senate Transportation Committee to ensure drivers licensed in Tennessee can understand traffic laws and road safety information written in English. This bill is part of the… pic.twitter.com/GtIwrQWSAp
— Senator Brent Taylor (@SenBrentTaylor) March 12, 2026
Lawmakers have also pitched legislation that would require law enforcement to suspend the commercial driver’s license and decommission the truck driven by any driver determined not to sufficiently comprehend English.
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Tom Pappert is a 2025 recipient of the Dao Prize and the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star. He also reports for the Star News Network. Follow Tom on X. Email tips to [email protected].
Stupid legislation. Another watered-down effort by the RINO GOPs in Tennessee to fool the average system into believing that they are doing something to improve vehicle safety.
A one or even three license to those who apply and cannot understand English. The newbies would be the worst of the lot. Either way the state has 1 to 3 years of drivers who are a danger to themselves and others.
And who is going to enforce the renewal. I assume that many would just drive on an expired license like so many already do.
I do not appreciate this type of feel good bill that does virtually nothing.