Relating to third-party testers and test examiners authorized to administer knowledge and final field tests to persons seeking a driver’s permit or driver’s license

Current law authorizes the department of transportation (DOT) to examine every new applicant for a driver’s license, any person holding a valid driver’s license when the DOT has reason to believe that the person may be physically or mentally incompetent to operate a motor vehicle, and any person whose driving record appears to the DOT to justify the examination. In addition, a final field test prior to a student’s completion of an approved driver education course must be administered by a person qualified to provide street or highway driving instruction. The DOT is also currently authorized to designate third-party testers to administer commercial driver’s license knowledge and driving skills tests. This bill authorizes the DOT to likewise designate third-party testers to administer the required knowledge and final field tests or driving tests, as applicable, for other driver’s licenses.178 who have five years of continuous driving instruction experience or who have at least two years of such experience and provide such instruction for more than 100 hours per year. The DOT may authorize additional persons who meet eligibility criteria determined by the DOT by administrative rules. The bill requires a third-party test examiner who examines a person with a physical or mental disability to be a certified driver rehabilitation specialist or a driver rehabilitation professional, or to have been issued a specialized instructor badge, and any such certification, designation, or badge must be granted by the association of driver rehabilitation specialists. A person who passes a test administered by a third-party test examiner must still apply to the DOT for issuance of a permit or license.