Law requires plain language on driver’s license exams

A new law aims to ensure written driver’s license exams test how well applicants understand the rules of the road rather than their ability to decode complex sentences.

It directs the Department of Public Safety to create plain language standards and a new written test by Feb. 1, 2025. As much as possible the test must be “organized to serve the reader's needs and written using clear, simplified language.”

Among specifics listed, language should:

• use the word “you” to address test takers directly;

• use the active voice;

• use concrete, familiar words;

• avoid long and complex sentences;

• minimize the use of abbreviations; and

• omit double negatives and terms such as "except for," "unless," and "indicated otherwise."

A one-time appropriation of $212,000 from the driver and vehicle services operating account will be used to implement the new standards, which includes translation and vendor services.

A report will be due the Legislature by Feb. 1, 2026.

Sponsored by Rep. Brad Tabke (DFL-Shakopee) and Sen. Clare Oumou Verbeten (DFL-St. Paul), the law takes effect July 1, 2024.

HF3071*/SF3094/CH89

HF3071* / SF3094 / CH89