Bringing CDL Testing to Rural New Jersey
Recently, the FMCSA awarded a $2 million grant to New Jersey at a ceremony held at the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission’s Road Testing Location in Delanco. This funding aims to enhance accessibility to commercial driver’s license (CDL) testing across the state, particularly in rural areas.
Vinn White, FMCSA Deputy Administrator, emphasized the importance of the grant, stating, “We want CDL testing to be accessible to anyone who is willing to learn and earn that driver’s license. Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation grants can help break down barriers for people seeking to earn or renew their CDL. There’s no better example of that than the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission’s mobile testing unit.”
Statewide Impact of the Mobile CDL Testing Program
With this grant, New Jersey will roll out a mobile CDL testing initiative, purchase necessary vehicles, and upgrade existing CDL skills test sites. The goal is to expand testing capacity and accommodate larger commercial vehicles, offering greater accessibility for aspiring bus and truck drivers statewide.
This initiative places New Jersey among 30 states benefiting from the FMCSA’s $55.1 million allocation for the Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation Grant, which is designed to boost highway safety both locally and nationally.
Broader Implications and Additional Grants
Several other states also received substantial funding. For instance, the Arizona Department of Transportation was awarded $1.87 million to enhance CDL skills testing locations, improving safety conditions for both applicants and examiners.
Additionally, Kansas State University received $1.83 million to establish a CDL court docket, setting a precedent for handling traffic-related offenses involving CDL holders in Kansas and beyond.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy highlighted the broader advantages of the funding, noting that it will facilitate better access to training and testing resources. “This investment reflects our commitment to building a stronger and safer driving community in New Jersey,” Murphy stated.
State Assemblywoman Andrea Katz added, “We create a lot of great programs in Trenton and in D.C., but getting them out to the people who need them and can utilize them is a challenge. These mobile testing units that are going to be dispatched all over the state are going to help ensure that our CMV drivers have the knowledge to drive safely on our roads and turnpikes, particularly in my district, which includes large rural areas.”
Mobile CDL Testing Program Implementation
The mobile testing units will facilitate CDL skills and knowledge assessments at remote locations, utilizing two specialized teams and trucks. Coordination with over 550 school districts and driving schools is planned to maximize the outreach and effectiveness of this initiative.
Jim Ferguson, Central Operations Director at the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, expressed optimism about the program’s potential, saying, “This is going to be a game changer for our delivery of CDL testing across the state of New Jersey. While we currently offer bulk skills testing remotely outside of our road test facilities, this grant will enable us to also offer knowledge tests and to bring our testing capabilities to communities anywhere in the state on a regular basis.”
Source: Transport Topics
