IL bill could allow immigrants to become driving instructors

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A proposal that's passed both chambers would allow some immigrants to become driving instructors in Illinois.

In the state, non U.S. citizens can apply for a special drivers license called a Temporary Visitor Drivers License or TVDL. Under the plan, anyone that's had a TVDL for at least two years can help teach the next generation the rules of the road.

The policy would help expand who could become a driving instructor without reducing any of the needed qualifications for the job.

"Some of these qualifications include good moral character, criminal background check, passing an exam from the Secretary of State's on traffic laws and safe driving practices, while being able to physically operate a motor vehicle safely and graduated from an accredited high school," state Sen. Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) said.

Any immigrant who wants to become a driving instructor must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Some GOP members criticized the plan when it was called on the Senate floor. State Senator Craig Wilcox (R-Woodstock) said he has no issues expanding who can become a driving instructor, but has issues with some of the specifics of the bill.

"It's a question of are the qualifications we're putting in place the right qualifications for driving instructors and it's not TVDL itself necessarily, but the fact that you only needed to have it in any of the two years in the past," Wilcox said.

The policy passed out of the Illinois Senate on a partisan 37-20 vote with one Democrat voting against. This plan will now head to the Governors office, where it could be signed into law.