SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1584

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 2, 2026

      The Senate Transportation Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 1584.

      As reported, this bill allows a person with a disability who is 16 years of age to obtain a passenger automobile examination permit prior to the age of 17 years regardless of whether the person completed a course of behind-the-wheel automobile driving education and permits a person with a disability to take the road test with a parent or guardian in the vehicle.  The bill also allows the parent of guardian of a person with a disability who holds a special permit to be present in the motor vehicle during a behind-the-wheel automobile driving education course.

     Additionally, the bill removes the dual pedal controlled vehicle requirement during behind-the-wheel automobile driving education and provides that a person issued a special learner’s permit may operate a motor vehicle instead of a dual pedal motor vehicle.

     As defined in the bill, “person with a disability” means a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities or a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, as determined by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.