December 4, 2017

Advocates: Indiana Making It Hard For Immigrants To Drive

file photo

file photo

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Advocates for refugees and immigrants say Indiana's Bureau of Motor Vehicles is hampering their ability to get a driver's license.

The Indianapolis Star reports that the agency offers the written exam in 14 languages. The test can also be read in English to a person who has a disability, lacks basic literacy skills or has failed it twice.

But advocates say the state should provide interpreters or translating services to help people get a learner's permit.

BMV spokeswoman Christine Meyer says the agency had relied on interpreters but switched the policy when it discovered "multiple instances" of interpreters providing the answers. She says the agency is reviewing the exams and will make recommendations for future needs.

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