The Biden-Harris administration, through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), has announced the allocation of more than $140 million in grants to states and educational institutions. This funding is part of the administration’s effort to improve the safety and efficiency of the nation’s commercial driver’s license (CDL) programs, while also addressing the supply chain issues by increasing the number of well-trained truck drivers on the roads.
The grants are being awarded through two major FMCSA programs: the High Priority (HP) grant program and the Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation (CDLPI) grants. Together, these initiatives will not only enhance safety on America’s roadways but also reduce red tape and modernize commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operations.
High Priority (HP) Grants – $88 Million
The High Priority grants are divided into two categories: HP-Commercial Motor Vehicle (HP-CMV) grants and HP-Innovative Technology Deployment (HP-ITD) grants. Both are designed to support state and local efforts to improve safety within the commercial trucking sector. The HP-CMV grants specifically fund initiatives aimed at reducing crashes involving large trucks and buses, while the HP-ITD grants focus on advancing technological systems that can help regulate and monitor CMV operations.
These grants will allow states to deploy more intelligent transportation systems (ITS), including advanced safety monitoring technologies, to enhance oversight of commercial vehicles. A detailed list of this year’s HP-CMV and HP-ITD grant recipients has been made publicly available.
CDL Program Implementation (CDLPI) Grants – $55 Million
The CDLPI program focuses on strengthening state CDL programs by improving efficiency, reducing wait times for CDL testing, and ensuring that essential data, such as conviction and disqualification records, is shared electronically between agencies. These grants also support efforts to combat human trafficking and ensure compliance with FMCSA regulations regarding driver standards.
Additionally, CDLPI grants provide funding to entities that can assist states in meeting their compliance goals. This financial assistance is vital to streamlining the process of getting qualified, safe commercial drivers on the road, ultimately supporting national supply chain needs and enhancing public safety.
FMCSA’s Mission and Ongoing Commitment
FMCSA Deputy Administrator Vinn White emphasized the importance of these grants in reducing accidents and fatalities involving large commercial vehicles. “Together, these grants represent our commitment to investing in America and our dedication to supporting strong state and local partnerships that help ensure safe and qualified CMV drivers are on the roads,” White stated.
More than half of FMCSA’s annual budget goes directly to states and local communities to promote CMV safety through various initiatives. In addition to the grants announced, FMCSA recently awarded nearly $3.5 million through its Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training Grant Program. This program helps create career opportunities for veterans, underserved communities, and others seeking employment in the trucking industry, while also improving driver safety.
Collectively, these initiatives contribute to the Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy, which aims to reduce roadway fatalities and injuries nationwide. The grants are expected to have a lasting impact by providing both immediate safety benefits and long-term improvements in driver training and licensing standards across the country.
These investments are part of the Biden-Harris administration’s broader effort to address transportation challenges and ensure that the trucking industry can meet growing demand while maintaining high safety standards.
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