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New Jersey conducted over 463,000 written and 238,000 road tests in 2008
BY TOM HESTER SR.
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
The state Motor Vehicle Commission Thursday announced the award of a $4 million contract to overhaul what the agency describes as its antiquated driver testing system.
The project is an effort to modernize the MVC's existing automated driver testing system with a web-based program it hopes will provide greater security and efficiency for both the written and behind-the-wheel portions of the driver's license qualifying tests.
This "is another critical investment in our technological infrastructure," said Acting MVC Administrator Shawn B. Sheekey. "As one of our core services, it is essential that we have an efficient and effective driver testing program. Modernizing the existing, outdated system allows us to, once again, make good on the promise we made back in 2003 to improve motor vehicle services in New Jersey."
The effort will be spearheaded by New Jersey Business Systems of Robbinsville, Mercer County, is expected to run from July 2009 through late next spring 2010. Sheekey said the project will introduce a new system that integrates real time information sharing with data capturing, fraud prevention mechanisms, user-friendly testing and reliability.The MVC hopes to begin implementing the new systems later this year at 13 road test sites and 25 knowledge test sites, said Mike Horan, an agency spokesman.
In 2008, the MVC conducted 463,188 knowledge tests and 238,318 road tests.
According to the MVC, the knowledge test will utilize new, networked computers with centralized access to allow for improved management of tests and scheduling. The testing process will feature a number of security measures to prevent cheating, including randomized tests unique to each applicant.
The MVC's road test will see many changes as well, including the introduction of GPS tracking to prevent fraud, as well as the use of lightweight tablet computers by examiners, which will automate
testing administrative processes such as scoring. Information obtained by the examiners can quickly be transmitted wirelessly to other MVC personnel involved in the licensing process in an effort to reduce time and labor and ensuring accuracy.
Over the years, the MVC's nearly 20-year-old driver testing system
was prone to glitches and viruses that periodically disrupted testing. Many times, examiners were forced to provide the knowledge test in paper form.
"The current system is simply well past its time," Sheekey said. "In recent years we've sought to reorganize our operations through technology, cross training and streamlining in order to better
serve customers. With upgraded technology, the MVC will gain a tremendous amount of flexibility in its driver testing process."
Since its inception, the MVC has made a number of investments in technology that have helped to address many of the recommendations outlined by the Fix DMV Commission in 2002.
Most notable of the MVC's use of technological advancements were the implementation of a security-enhanced digital driver license in 2004, and the current overhaul of the agency's nearly 30-year-old core computer system, which began in late 2008.
