1. a. There is established within the Motor Vehicle Commission a Commercial Driver License Testing Pilot Program which shall be implemented by the chief administrator. Pursuant to the provisions of this act, the chief administrator shall appoint three private third party vendors to administer the knowledge and skills tests for a commercial driver license or endorsement. Of the private third party vendors appointed to participate in the program, one each shall be located in the northern, central, and southern regions of the State.

b. In implementing the pilot program, the chief administrator shall:

(1) develop procedures for identifying private third party vendors eligible to administer the knowledge and skills tests for commercial driver licenses or endorsements;

(2) compile a list of third party vendors eligible to provide the knowledge and skills tests for commercial driver licenses or endorsements;

(3) establish guidelines necessary to establish and oversee the administration of commercial motor vehicle driver testing by private third parties including establishment of maximum fees that may be charged; and

(4) take any other action necessary to implement the provisions of this act.

c. The private third party vendors appointed pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall be fully operational and administering knowledge and skills tests within 90 days following the effective date of this act.

d. Within nine months of the effective date of this act, the chief administrator shall submit to the Governor and the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C. 52:14-19.1) an evaluation of the pilot program with recommendations that will facilitate the permanent use of third party vendors to administer knowledge and skills tests for commercial driver licenses or endorsements pursuant to section 13 of P.L.1990, c.103 (C. 39:3-10.21).

L.2017, c.10, s.1.