Bill > S1915

Introduced Session

This bill establishes the New Jersey Behind-The-Wheel Driver Education Scholarship Program (program) within the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission). The purpose of the program is to provide scholarships to eligible individuals from low-income households to cover the costs of the six-hour behind-the-wheel driver education course. As defined in the bill, "six-hour behind-the-wheel driver education course" means the six-hour behind the wheel driver education course conducted by a drivers' school duly licensed by the commission that is required for individuals between the ages of 16 and 17 to obtain a special learner's permit. Scholarships awarded under the program are required to be in an amount to cover the full cost of the six-hour behind-the-wheel driver education course or $500, whichever is less. To qualify for a scholarship under the program an individual is required to demonstrate to the commission that the individual: (1) is a resident of the State; (2) is between the age of 16 and 17; (3) is from a low-income household; (4) has passed the required written examination, which may be offered as part of a course of driving education approved by the State Department of Education and conducted in a New Jersey public, parochial, or private school; and (5) meets any other eligibility criteria that the commission deems appropriate. Interested individuals that meet the eligibility requirements are required to submit an application to the commission in a form and manner determined by the commission. The commission is required to provide scholarships on a rolling basis, subject to the availability of funds, to individuals who have submitted an application to the commission and meet the eligibility criteria for a scholarship under the program. The bill requires the commission to submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature containing certain information as described in the bill. Finally, the bill appropriates from the General Fund to the commission the sum of $1 million to provide scholarships under the program.

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Angela Mcknight (D)*,  Latham Tiver (R)*,  Owen Henry (R), 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Transportation Committee (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document