ACLU Sues Indiana BMV Over English Language Driver’s Manual

The American Civil Liberties Union (“ACLU”) is suing the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (“BMV”), alleging that while driver’s exams are available in 14 different languages in the state, the driver’s manual exists only in English.

The ACLU filed the lawsuit in federal court in Indianapolis on behalf of Neighbor To Neighbor, a South Bend non-profit organization that works with immigrants and refugees.

The ACLU alleges that the Indiana BMV is in violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The English-language driver’s manual in Indiana is 95 pages.

With regard to the separate issue of driver’s license exams, a recent national survey by ProEnglish showed that just 3 states out of 50 now offer their driver’s license exams only in English.

The 3 states that offer driver’s license exams only in English, and with no additional translation or interpretation assistance available to those who do not speak English, are South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.

47 other states offer their driver’s license exams in a variety of different languages beyond English.

California is the state that offers its driver’s license exams in the most languages, as it has 32 different language options available. Massachusetts ranks 2nd by offering its driver’s license exams in 26 different languages.