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OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 6656
AN ACT CONCERNING THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE
KNOWLEDGE TEST AND ON -THE-ROAD SKILLS TEST FOR AN
OPERATOR'S LICENSE AND THE RECIPROCAL RECOGNITION OF
DRIVER TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.
SUMMARY
This bill makes three unrelated changes in the laws governing driver
licensing and testing.
It requires the driver’s license knowledge test to be provided, at the
option of the applicant, in English, Spanish, and at least 34 other
languages as prescribed by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
commissioner. Under current law, the test must be offered in English,
Spanish, or any language spoken at home by at least 1% of the state’s
population, based on the most recent U.S. decennial census.
In determining the other languages for the knowledge test, the
commissioner must (1) consult with representatives of organizations
that advocate on behalf of or assist immigrants, refugees, or other
English language learners and (2) be responsive to the linguistic needs
of the state’s emerging immigrant and refugee populations. By law,
unchanged by the bill, the commissioner must require a driver’s license
applicant to have sufficient understanding of English to interpret traffic
control signs.
In addition, the bill requires the DMV commissioner to do the
following:
1. by October 1, 2023, offer appointments for the on-the-road skills
test, to be administered by one of his agents or a motor vehicle
inspector agent, at licensed driving schools for all students who
are otherwise eligible to take the test (under current practice, 2023HB-06656-R000451-BA.DOCX
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these tests are offered to drivers up to age 21) and
2. by February 1, 2024, submit a status report to the Transportation
Committee about a reciprocal agreement with Taiwan for
recognizing driver training requirements.
Lastly, the bill makes technical changes, including removing
references to a repealed statute.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage, except the provision related to
translated knowledge tests is effective October 1, 2023.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Transportation Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 34 Nay 2 (03/17/2023)