Utah
Utah driver’s license tests will soon be offered in these 5 languages
The Utah Driver License Division is providing written driver’s license assessments in 5 new languages beginning subsequent 12 months. (Laura Seitz, Deseret Information)
Estimated learn time: 2-3 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — Utahns will have the ability to take the written driver’s license take a look at in 5 new languages beginning in January: Spanish, Portuguese, Tongan, Vietnamese and Mandarin Chinese language.
The brand new language choices are due to SB216, a regulation the Utah Legislature handed unanimously earlier this 12 months. The regulation requires that the take a look at be provided within the high 5 languages spoken within the state aside from English.
“It is a difficulty of public security,” mentioned Sen. Luz Escamilla, who sponsored the regulation. “We had been seeing numerous struggling households spending some huge cash as they had been failing and taking the take a look at once more. These had been individuals taking courses. A lot of them did profit from the method of making an attempt to be taught all this in English, however I used to be extra involved in regards to the public security a part of ensuring individuals had been truly snug and that there was full comprehension when taking the take a look at.”
Christopher Caras, Driver License Division director, mentioned the state has been utilizing new expertise to assist decrease the prices related to initially translating the take a look at in addition to translating updates.
“One of many challenges with providing testing in a number of languages that made it very prohibitive up to now was the prices related,” Caras mentioned. “If you need to use expertise, (the price) is pretty cheap. However to make use of a human translator turns into costly.”
Different states that supply driver’s license assessments in a number of languages estimate prices to be about $50,000 per language annually only for ongoing upkeep, he added. Utah, in distinction, is on observe to remain inside its $50,000 funds for all 5 language translations, Caras mentioned.
Caras mentioned it is nonetheless too early to inform what the demand will likely be for the brand new languages because the division has by no means tracked individuals requesting to take the take a look at in languages apart from English.
“It is a grand unknown,” he mentioned. “The primary 12 months will likely be crucial (for) us figuring out that demand.”
The brand new language choices apply to people renewing or getting an unique class D license. They don’t apply to the driving element of the take a look at nor assessments for driving privilege playing cards, which can be found to newly arrived or undocumented immigrants who don’t meet the documentation necessities to acquire a driver’s license.
The Utah Driver License Division labored with the state’s Division of Multicultural Affairs to find out which languages are provided.
“Rising language entry for the driving license examination is an inclusive coverage that not solely considers Utah’s linguistically numerous inhabitants, but in addition helps preserve roads safer for everybody,” mentioned Nubia Peña, Division of Multicultural Affairs director.
“This regulation additionally highlights Utah’s dedication to being an inclusive and welcoming state that values the rising range discovered right here.”