allow an applicant to have an interpreter present during the driving portion of a driver license exam.
This bill allows individuals who need language assistance to have an interpreter present during the driving portion of their driver's license exam in South Dakota. It directly affects applicants for driver's licenses who may not speak English fluently and require support to understand exam instructions and demonstrate driving skills. The key provision permits licensed interpreters to accompany these applicants throughout the practical driving test to facilitate communication. This change aims to ensure fair access to licensing for non-English speakers without altering the standards or procedures of the driving examination itself.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
Mar 2025
Introduced Feb 26, 2025
Signed Mar 13, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
Senate Local Government Engrossed
→
Enrolled
·
3 edits
·
Mar 6, 2025
MINOR
This bill amends South Dakota's driver license laws to allow non-English speaking applicants to bring an approved interpreter during the driving portion of their license exam. Previously, all instructions during the driving test had to be given in English, but this change permits interpreters to facilitate communication while maintaining that test instructions themselves must be administered in English. The applicant remains responsible for recruiting and paying the interpreter.
Scope change
Expands eligibility for interpreter assistance to include the driving test portion of driver license exams, which previously did not allow interpreters.
ELIGIBILITY
Allows applicants who are native speakers of languages other than English to bring an interpreter during the driving test portion of their driver license exam.
REQUIREMENT
Requires interpreters to be approved by the Department of Public Safety, with the applicant solely responsible for recruiting and paying the interpreter's fees.
Clarifies that while interpreters are allowed during the driving test, all instructions given to the applicant during the test must still be administered in English.
Floor votes · Senate Feb 25, 2025 · House Mar 5, 2025
How they voted
33–2
Passed
Total votes 35
Feb 25, 2025
D
Democratic3
100% Yea
R
Republican32
93% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
21
Key actions
10
Committee
5
Amendments
3
Mar 13, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor on 2025-03-13 S.J. 529
executive
Mar 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by the Speaker H.J. 488
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by the President S.J. 473
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
House of Representatives Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 59, NAYS 11 H.J. 467
lower
Mar 5, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (59-10)
house
Mar 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Transportation Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 9, NAYS 3 H.J. 23
lower
Feb 26, 2025
Introduced
First read in House and referred to H.J. 410
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 33, NAYS 2 S.J. 382
upper
Feb 25, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (33-2)
senate
Feb 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
Local Government Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 0
upper
Feb 21, 2025
Introduced
Local Government Motion to amend , Passed, Amendment 193C
upper
Feb 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Local Government Deferred to another day , Passed,
upper
Feb 19, 2025
Introduced
Local Government Motion to amend , Passed, Amendment 193B
upper
Feb 19, 2025
Introduced
Local Government Motion to amend , Passed, Amendment 193A
upper
Feb 6, 2025
Committee
Referred to S.J. 195
upper
10 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about SB 193
Scope: SD
Hi! I can help you understand SB 193. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline