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HB 461 · 2025 · House · Transportation Committee

English-only driver's license testing

AI-generated

relative to department of safety and department of motor vehicle training and testing materials.

Requires all driver's license examination materials and testing to be provided only in English or American Sign Language, bars the department of safety from acquiring non-English materials, and prohibits translation assistance during exams.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the Senate — Inexpedient to Legislate · May 15, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill requires all printed and digitally available driver's license examination-related materials, including the examination itself, be available and administered in the English language only.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Thomas WalshRPrimeChair· Transportation
  • Rep. Ted GorskiRVice Chair· Transportation
  • Rep. Gregory HillRChair· Legislative Administration
  • Rep. Steven SmithRVice Chair· Rules

Public testimony

340 signed in online · 105 wrote testimony

2% support98% oppose0% neutral

ForGeneral support without elaboration

AgainstBill is discriminatory/racist toward non-English speakers

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I fully support this Bill. This will accomplish 2 things. The first, this will minimize the cost to the State; which should be the objective of every expenditure Second, this will encourage others to learn English.…”
— Gordon Springate, Wiltonsupports
“Ending state inspections is long overdue. Represent the people, not the bad auto repair shops. Good ones don't need state inspections for business, A good reputation brings them more business than they can handle.”
— Peter Sorrentino, Hamptonsupports
“Why would you do this? English is not the mandatory language of the country.…”
— Corinne Gordon, Salemopposes
“My name is Blossom Dodge, and I am here to strongly oppose HB 461, which would require all driver’s license examination materials—both printed and digital—to be available only in English. This bill is not just impractical—it is exclusionary.…”
— Blossom Dodge, Concordopposes
“What is the benefit to this bill? This bill is harmful to NH's diverse population. It has the potential to result in an increase in unlicensed drivers. It will not improve safety. It creates barriers to employment. This country was built by immigrants.…”
— Patricia Anastasia, Londonderryopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-02-1110:00 amHouse TransportationLOB 203Public hearing
  • 2025-03-0410:00 amHouse TransportationLOB 203Public hearing
  • 2025-04-081:00 pmSenate TransportationLOB 101Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Transportation HJ 3 P. 11
  2. Feb 11, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/11/2025 11:00 am LOB 203
  3. Mar 4, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/04/2025 10:00 am LOB 203
  4. Mar 4, 2025HouseMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0471h 03/04/2025 (Vote 9-7; RC) HC 17 P. 45
  5. Mar 14, 2025HouseMinority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 26, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0471h: AA VV 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 95
  7. Mar 26, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0471h: MA RC 187-159 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 95
  8. Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Transportation; SJ 10
  9. Apr 8, 2025SenHearing: 04/08/2025, Room 101, LOB, 01:45 pm; SC 16
  10. May 15, 2025Sen: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; 05/15/2025; SC 21
  11. May 15, 2025SenInexpedient to Legislate, MA, VV === BILL KILLED ===; 05/15/2025; SJ 13

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.