Georgia Bill Proposes English Only Drivers Tests

ATLANTA - A bill proposed this week in the Georgia General Assembly is bringing with it more immigration controversy. If goes through, the law would make it so all drivers license tests would be given in English.

Critics say the bill unfairly targets immigrant U.S. citizens and legal residents.

The lawmaker who introduced the bill said it was about safety on the roads, not immigration.

"This is pro public safety. It is it's to protect everyone

State Representative James Mills said Georgian should have to take a driver's license test in English.

"We're not even asking that you speak the English language, we're asking that you be able to read the test to get your driver's license in English," said Mills.

Mills introduced legislation that would make that the law.

"I see this as a public safety issue with all of the signs in English. More and more of our signs are going to the digital overhead signs. It becomes a public safety issue when a sign comes up bridge out up ahead and someone can't read that," said Mills.

Under current law, drivers have to be able to understand basic street signs in English.

Helen Kim Ho is with the Asian American Legal Advocacy Center and she said the law unfairly targets legal immigrants.

"This is really just another step in the growing fervor against immigrants in this state and even though legislators claim their anger is toward undocumented immigrants alone this is clearly a law targeted at immigrant citizens and legal permanent residents," said Ho.

The law would still allow you to get a temporary drivers license in another language, but for only 10 years before you would have to take the English test.

"We think that by the end of 10 years you need to come to grips with enough English to be safe on our roads," said Mills.

"Our entire economy is going to be harmed when they can't drive to work get their kids to school or honestly go take English as a second language class," said Ho.