- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Alabama Lawmakers Debate English-Only Driver's License Testing
Proposal to eliminate multilingual exams faces pushback over concerns about creating barriers for residents
Jan. 29, 2026 at 7:15am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The Alabama House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee considered a bill that would require the state's driver's license exams to be offered in English only, rather than the current policy of providing tests in 12 languages. While the bill's sponsor argued it was necessary for road safety, other lawmakers raised concerns that the change would create additional obstacles for residents seeking licenses, particularly those who rely on driving for employment.
Why it matters
The debate over English-only driver's license testing touches on broader issues of accessibility, inclusion, and the role of government in supporting non-English speakers. The outcome could impact the ability of Alabama residents, including immigrant and refugee communities, to legally operate motor vehicles and access economic opportunities.
The details
The proposed legislation, HB88, was introduced by Republican Rep. Phillip Pettus. It would require "all written, oral, vision, and driving portions of the examination administered for purposes of obtaining or renewing a driver license must be in the English language only." Pettus argued this was necessary to ensure licensed drivers can understand road signs and instructions from law enforcement. However, lawmakers voiced concerns that the change would create barriers, with Democratic Rep. TaShina Morris suggesting it was "an effort to change that court ruling" that previously mandated multilingual testing. Other representatives, such as Democrat Thomas Jackson, framed the debate in moral terms, questioning whether it aligned with the state's motto of "In God We Trust."
- The House Public Safety and Homeland Security Standing Committee considered the legislation on January 29, 2026.
The players
Rep. Phillip Pettus
The Republican lawmaker who introduced HB88 to require English-only driver's license testing in Alabama.
Rep. TaShina Morris
A Democratic representative who voiced concerns that the legislation was an "effort to change that court ruling" mandating multilingual testing.
Rep. Thomas Jackson
A Democratic representative who called the proposal "cruel and inhumane" and questioned whether it aligned with Alabama's state motto of "In God We Trust."
Rep. Tim Wadsworth
A Republican representative who described the legislation as "completely wrong" and argued the legislature should be focused on helping people obtain driver's licenses, not creating "roadblocks in their way."
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)
The state agency that currently offers driver's license exams in English and 11 additional languages, as required by a previous court order.
What they’re saying
“Sometimes the courts get it wrong. This is an effort to change that court ruling.”
— Rep. Phillip Pettus
“We can find one or two incidents that have taken place, and we'll come with full legislation to modify something for everyone who has come in. You're gonna have people who coming in from everywhere. And just because you're taking a test in your language, does not mean that you don't understand English.”
— Rep. TaShina Morris
“In a state where we've got 'In God We Trust' in this chamber, what God are we trusting in if we're going to be so cruel to people who don't speak English? Why not help them learn the language instead of punishing them?”
— Rep. Thomas Jackson
“Our goal in the legislature should be to help people get licenses, not put roadblocks in their way. Once people get caught in the system—driving without a license, getting citations—they never get out of it.”
— Rep. Tim Wadsworth
“If you allow one device, you'd have to allow them all. You could be looking up answers on a phone and claiming it's translation.”
— Rep. Phillip Pettus
What’s next
The committee did not vote on the bill and instead carried it over to a future meeting, leaving open the possibility of amendments or further debate.
The takeaway
This debate highlights the tension between promoting road safety and ensuring accessibility for non-English speakers in obtaining driver's licenses. The outcome could have significant implications for Alabama's immigrant and refugee communities, as well as broader questions about the role of government in supporting language diversity.
