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Heated hearing over bill to require DMV testing materials in English only; DMV and advocates warn of safety and civil-rights risks
Summary
House Bill 4 61 would require DMV testing and training materials to be provided in English and would curtail translators during testing. Sponsor Tom Walsh said the measure is intended to improve roadway safety by ensuring drivers understand English signage; the DMV and immigrant advocates said curtailing translation would reduce safety and risk federal funding.
Representative Tom Walsh introduced House Bill 4 61, which would require DMV testing and training materials to be in English and restrict the use of translators for licensing tests. "If you're gonna get the privilege of driving on the roads on a regular basis, you should have at least a basic understanding of the English language," Walsh told senators, framing the bill as a road-safety measure.
DMV and federal compliance concerns: John Marasco, Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles, provided informational testimony and said the DMV had no official position but that the agency offers language assistance today and believed those services make roadways safer. "We offer the knowledge test at the DMV and have for many years in 7 different languages," Marasco said. He described a Pocketalk translation device used by examiners that his staff found helpful for communicating in the exam and creating a safer testing process. Marasco also flagged a potential federal civil-rights issue: he described guidance tied to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and NHTSA that requires language assistance when a significant portion of service users have limited English proficiency; that guidance could affect federal funding for DMV programs if services are curtailed. The DMV reported the department has translated driver's manuals into Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Swahili, Arabic and Mandarin and has applied for Governor and Council approval to release them.
Public testimony: The hearing drew dozens of public witnesses on both sides. The New Hampshire Council of Churches executive director, Lisa Beaudoin, testified in strong opposition, saying the bill would be "regressive" and "undermine both our state's commitment to public safety and our shared values of hospitality." She said translation where needed helps non-English speakers learn road rules and protects public safety.
Several witnesses who work with refugees and immigrants described driving as essential to employment, child care and medical access. A number of employers and service providers told senators their organizations rely on workers who hold driver licenses obtained with language assistance.
Proponents said the measure duplicates the English requirement for commercial CDL holders and argued that drivers must be able to read signs and warnings on the road. Walsh and some supporters said roadside signs and instructions are primarily in English and that drivers who cannot read them can create safety risks; they opposed the use of translators during knowledge testing on the basis that translation does not guarantee long-term comprehension.
Federal funding and legal questions: Marasco cited federal guidance (28 C.F.R. 42.405(d)(1) as referenced in DMV communication) that agencies receiving NHTSA funds must provide language access when a significant portion of a service population has limited English proficiency. Senators pressed Marasco on whether removing language assistance could put federal funds at risk; Marasco said such a risk exists if Title VI benchmarks are met and services are curtailed.
Committee action: The hearing lasted several hours and included many public speakers for and against the bill. The committee closed the hearing; no vote or recommendation appears in the hearing transcript.
