In Moorhead, Minnesota, new Americans are getting a leg up when it comes to obtaining their driver's licenses, thanks to recent changes in state law that cater to non-English speakers. State Senator Rob Kupec (DFL-Moorhead) has expressed his support for these changes, which allow for the use of interpreters or the translation of driver's tests into multiple languages, according to Minnesota Senate DFL.
The intent behind the new law is clear – to ensure safety on the road by making sure all drivers, regardless of their native language, have the knowledge and skills they need; Sen. Kupec emphasized this point by stating, "We want the drivers on our roads to be safe and qualified as they go about their lives, and drivers can prove this by taking and passing the tests necessary to get their license," as per Minnesota Senate DFL.
The legislation mandates that the Department of Public Safety provide materials for the driver’s test in languages spoken by at least 20 percent of visitors at any given DMV location. Particularly notable is how this law is already having a positive impact in Moorhead, where the Kurdish community will benefit from tests being made available in their dialects, Bahdini and Sorani.
