Honorable Representatives and Senators
North Carolina General Assembly
Legislative Building
16 W Jones St
Raleigh, NC 27601

Regarding:  Khmer Language for the State of North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles and Other Professional License For Economic Inclusion

Dear Honorable Representatives/Senators 

Presently in the State of North Carolina, there is a sizable and growing population of Cambodian Americans and immigrants. Due to our state's growing economy, competitive tax codes, and living standards, each year more and more Cambodian-Americans and Cambodian immigrants are moving to our state. 

These thousands of Cambodian-Americans are one of the hardest working groups of immigrant communities who are contributing to the state’s economy in the form of direct economic activities such as entrepreneurialism, as small and medium-sized business owners, as well as in the form of sales and property taxes to our state, cities, and towns. 

Like many previous generations of immigrants, due to linguistic limitations, they are not maximizing their potential immediately and/or have to overcome significant barriers to obtain the necessary driver’s license in order to drive and take part in the economic engine of the state. As a result of the English limitation,  oftentimes, they have to retake the exams multiple times calling on luck and memorization rather than a true understanding of the laws and safety rules of the road which jeopardize everyone including themselves.

In order to mitigate this risk and danger, we ask that the computer tests be made available in Khmer (Cambodian) and ask for the DMV documents to be made available to study in the Cambodian language as well.

Presently in the State of North Carolina, official state documents, for all departments, including but not limited to the Department of Motor Vehicles, are available in other languages, other than English, such as Spanish, French, German, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese.

Wherefore, we the undersigned respectfully request that you support and sponsor legislation in North Carolina’s State Legislature to introduce a bill that requires and instructs all the departments of the State of North Carolina, including but not limited to the Department of Motor Vehicles, to produce and to provide translated as well as to make available any and all official documents, tests and examinations and instructions for motor vehicle license and other professional licenses in parity with the translation services being offered to aforementioned language in paper and electronic format.

Respectfully yours,