Whenever it is necessary for a driving school or independent driving instructor to be certified by the Department of Education, or any agency thereof, in order to participate in any state or federal program directed at training or retraining persons in occupational skills, licensing or certification by the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to this chapter may operate to fully qualify such school or instructor to participate in the program.

Costs incurred by the department in exercising its functions pursuant to this section shall be borne by the applicant for licensing or certification, and the department may charge the applicant a reasonable fee therefor.