Driver license reading proficiency requirement advances in Oklahoma
- mike33692
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
Driver license reading proficiency requirement advances in Oklahoma Senate
A proposal to require proof of driver license reading proficiency is moving forward at the State Capitol after clearing committee with strong support from lawmakers.
The bill, authored by State Senator Adam Pugh, would deny an Oklahoma driver license to applicants unable to demonstrate an eighth-grade reading level. The requirement was previously in place but was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Driver license reading proficiency bill passes committee
The measure passed the Senate Aeronautics and Transportation Committee on an 11–1 vote. Supporters say restoring the driver license reading proficiency requirement is about public safety and ensuring drivers can understand road signs, warnings, and official instructions.
Legislative language and committee actions are tracked through the Oklahoma State Legislature, where education and transportation policies often intersect in licensing requirements.
Educators support literacy requirement for licensing
Senator Pugh said educators asked lawmakers to reinstate the requirement, calling it an incentive for literacy and a way to reinforce reading skills among young drivers.
Reading standards and academic benchmarks tied to student performance are overseen by the Oklahoma State Department of Education, which has emphasized literacy as a core priority in recent policy discussions.
Next steps for the driver license reading proficiency proposal
The bill now moves deeper into the legislative process, where it could face additional amendments and fiscal review before a full Senate vote. If approved, it would reinstate a policy that was paused during the pandemic but long viewed as part of Oklahoma’s licensing framework.
Transportation policy analysts note licensing rules are also reviewed in coordination with agencies like the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, which administers testing and driver credentialing across the state.
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