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The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
Two additional bills centered on combating illegal immigration are now officially Tennessee law after receiving the Governor’s signature last week, one aiming to keep illegal alien drivers off the roads and another seeking to ensure only citizens receive professional licenses.
HB1708 by Rep. Kip Capley and Sen. Brent Taylor allows applicants for a Tennessee driver’s license to take the exam in another language besides English but will result in the applicant being issued a 3-year unrestricted non-renewable license. Upon its expiration, the applicant would be required to retake the test in English only without any form of assistance.
Additionally, applicants for vehicle registry would be required to provide evidence they are a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or have temporary lawful resident status.
While the legislation is a small forward step in keeping illegal aliens off Tennessee roads, the version of HB1708 that ultimately passed the legislature during the 2026 regular session is severely watered-down from its original form.
The bill initially proposed giving applicants a one-year restricted license if they could not pass the test in English on the first go around, but Sen. Taylor explained the later amendments were a result of negotiations with several entities concerned about the ability of foreign workers to obtain their driver’s licenses as Tennessee continues to court investments form non-American companies.
HB1708 received the Governor’s signature on May 7 and takes effect January 1, 2027.
HB1709 by Rep. Mark Cochran and Sen. Paul Bailey prohibits illegal aliens from obtaining professional licenses by requiring those seeking to obtain licensure in the state to provide proof they are a U.S. citizen or qualified alien.
If unable to provide such proof, they will be required to show proof they have applied for a valid visa authorizing them to work in the United States under federal law. Applicants who cannot meet any of these benchmarks will not be issued a professional license in the state.
HB1709 also received Gov. Lee’s signature on May 7, and the act takes effect immediately.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
