Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

S.B. 216 (2022GS)

Sponsor

Sen. Escamilla, L.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/21/2022

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• requires the Driver License Division to provide the examinations of a person's knowledge of the state traffic laws in the top five languages spoken in the state, other than English;
• allows an applicant for an original or a renewal of a class D license, other than a driving privilege card or a limited term license certificate, to request to take the examination of the person's knowledge of the state traffic laws in certain languages other than English;
• requires the Driver License Division to consult with the Division of Multicultural Affairs to determine the five most commonly spoken languages in the state, other than English; and
• makes technical changes.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

MODIFICATIONS TO DRIVER LICENSE EXAMINATION
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Luz Escamilla
House Sponsor: 
Robert M. Spendlove
Cosponsor:
Curtis S. Bramble
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill allows certain applicants for a driver license with limited English proficiency
to take the written driver license examination in certain other languages.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ requires the Driver License Division to provide the examinations of a person's
knowledge of the state traffic laws in the top five languages spoken in the state,
other than English;
▸ allows an applicant for an original or a renewal of a class D license, other than a
driving privilege card or a limited term license certificate, to request to take the
examination of the person's knowledge of the state traffic laws in certain languages
other than English;
▸ requires the Driver License Division to consult with the Division of Multicultural
Affairs to determine the five most commonly spoken languages in the state, other
than English; and
▸ makes technical changes.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
This bill provides a special effective date.
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
53-3-206
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 128
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
53-3-206
 is amended to read:
53-3-206.
Examination of applicant's physical and mental fitness to drive a motor
vehicle.
(1) The division shall examine every applicant for a license, including a test of the
applicant's:
(a) eyesight either:
(i) by the division; or
(ii) by allowing the applicant to furnish to the division a statement from a physician
licensed under Title 58, Chapter 67, Utah Medical Practice Act, or an optometrist licensed
under Title 58, Chapter 16a, Utah Optometry Practice Act;
(b) ability to read and understand highway signs regulating, warning, and directing
traffic;
(c) ability to read and understand simple English used in highway traffic and
directional signs;
(d) knowledge of the state traffic laws;
(e) other physical and mental abilities the division finds necessary to determine the
applicant's fitness to drive a motor vehicle safely on the highways; and
(f) ability to exercise ordinary and responsible control driving a motor vehicle, as
determined by actual demonstration or other indicator.
(2) (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (1) or any other provision of law,
the division shall allow a refugee or an approved asylee to take an examination of the person's
knowledge of the state traffic laws in the person's native language:
(i) the first time the person applies for a limited-term license certificate; and
(ii) the first time the person applies for a renewal of a limited-term license certificate.
(b) Upon the second renewal of a refugee's or approved asylee's limited-term license
certificate for a refugee or approved asylee that has taken the knowledge exam in the person's
native language under Subsection (2)(a), the division shall re-examine the person's knowledge
of the state traffic laws in English.
(c) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
division shall make rules establishing the procedures and requirements for a refugee or an
approved asylee to take an examination of the person's knowledge of the state traffic laws in
the person's native language.
(3) (a) For an applicant for an original or a renewal of a class D license, other than a
driving privilege card or a limited term license certificate, the division shall provide the
examination of a person's knowledge of the state traffic laws in five commonly spoken
languages in the state, other than English, as determined under Subsection (3)(c).
(b) An applicant for an original or a renewal of a class D license, other than a driving
privilege card or a limited term license certificate, may request to take the examination of the
person's knowledge of the state traffic laws in a language other than English, if the requested
language is one of five commonly spoken languages in the state as determined under
Subsection (3)(c).
(c) (i) The Division of Multicultural Affairs created in Section 
9-21-201
 shall
recommend five commonly spoken languages in the state, other than English, for examination
of a person's knowledge of the state traffic laws.
(ii) The division shall offer the examination of a person's knowledge of the state traffic
laws in the five commonly spoken languages, other than English, recommended by the
Division of Multicultural Affairs created in Section 
9-21-201
.
[
(3)
] 
(4)
 The division shall determine whether any facts exist that would bar granting a
license under Section 
53-3-204
.
[
(4)
] 
(5)
 The division shall examine each applicant according to the class of license
applied for.
[
(5)
] 
(6)
 An applicant for a CDL shall meet all additional requirements of Part 4,
Uniform Commercial Driver License Act, of this chapter.
Section 2. 
Effective date.
This bill takes effect on January 1, 2023.