The department may conduct one or more pilot projects to test and evaluate the effectiveness of alternative methods of processing and distributing vehicle registration renewals under this chapter or certificates of title under ch. 342. In implementing any pilot project under this section, the department may exempt certain persons from one or more of the mandatory requirements of this chapter or ch. 342 to establish a test group in order to compare this group with a group of persons not exempted from any of the mandatory requirements of this chapter or ch. 342. The department may contract for services relating to pilot projects under this section. The department shall submit an evaluation of any pilot project implemented under this section to the secretary who shall include them in the report required under s. 15.04 (1) (d).