NEW JERSEY – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has awarded the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) a more than $2 million grant to enhance commercial driver license (CDL) testing capabilities in the Garden State.
The grant will enable the NJMVC to launch a mobile CDL testing program, improve outreach to customers and stakeholders in the commercial driving industry, and upgrade existing CDL skills test sites.
“Keeping New Jerseyans safe is our Administration’s highest priority,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “By receiving $2 million through the CDLPI grant, drivers across our state will have better access to training materials and testing availabilities, enhancing the safety and preparedness of our workforce on the road. This investment reflects our commitment to building a stronger and safer driving community in New Jersey.”
“The Motor Vehicle Commission is thankful to the FMCSA for this grant funding and its steadfast commitment to ensuring we have safe, qualified commercial drivers on our roads,” said Latrecia Littles-Floyd, Acting Chief Administrator of the NJMVC. “We’re excited to be an active partner in improving FMCSA’s National CDL Program by strengthening and expanding our CDL testing capacity here in New Jersey.”
The grant funding will help establish a mobile CDL testing program that will utilize two specialized teams and trucks to offer CDL skills and CDL knowledge tests at remote sites throughout New Jersey. A key part of this initiative will be the development of a bulk mobile testing program that will be coordinated with over 550 school districts and driving schools. The bulk testing program will bring CDL testing directly into communities and provide more convenient, accessible testing options for CDL applicants, particularly those who live in rural and underserved parts of the state.
The widespread popularity of the NJMVC’s award-winning Mobile Unit program — which brings non-driver IDs, driver license renewals, REAL IDs, registration renewals, and other services directly to New Jersey residents at the local level, where they live — was the major inspiration for a Mobile CDL program.
“Mobile services are a big hit with our customers, and they give the Commission greater flexibility to effectively serve all New Jerseyans,” Littles-Floyd said. “Adding a mobile feature to our CDL testing program is a logical next step for us and we are grateful for the FMCSA’s assistance in getting the project off the ground.”
The grant funding also will be used to improve outreach and engagement with stakeholders in the commercial trucking and busing industry and promote CDL training and education with driving schools, driving instructors, and various community organizations in New Jersey.
The final component of the funding will go towards upgrading and redesigning CDL skills test sites across the state. This will ensure a safe testing flow, increase testing capacity, and optimize courses for larger commercial vehicles to meet all FMCSA/AAMVA CDL Skills Test Modernization standards previously implemented.
This award is bestowed to the NJMVC by the FMCSA as a Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation (CDLPI) grant. These grants aim to improve highway safety by supporting CDL programs at the state and national level. The FMCSA has distributed over $55 million in CDLPI grants this year.
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