SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2528

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 5, 2020

      The Senate Transportation Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2528.

      As reported, the bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to grant driving privileges to individuals during the State’s ongoing public health emergency and state of emergency without the need to take a road test.  The MVC is required to grant these driving privileges if all of the following circumstances exist: the MVC is not offering road tests for applicants for a driver’s license; the applicant is at least 17 years old; applicants under the age of 21 have completed at least 40 hours of supervised driving or applicants 21 years of age and over have completed at least 20 hours of supervised driving; the applicant did not have any reportable accidents during the permit period; and the applicant was not cited for any moving violations during the permit period.

      The MVC is to electronically issue a form to each eligible applicant that indicates that the individual is authorized to operate a motor vehicle in the State, subject to the restrictions of a probationary driver’s license.  The applicant is required to carry this form, along with the applicant’s permit, at all times when operating a motor vehicle.  The MVC is required to update its records to indicate that the person is authorized to drive and is subject to the restrictions applicable to a holder of a probationary driver’s license.

      If the MVC opens its locations and begins offering road tests, the applicant is required to visit an MVC location to replace the form with an official driver’s license, at a time and in a manner determined by the MVC, subject to all requirements for renewal of a driver’s license.