The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced nearly $90 million in competitive federal funding to enhance highway safety through improvements to the national Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Program. The newly announced Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), valued at up to $89.4 million, supports the continued development of a safer, more accountable commercial driving workforce across the United States.
This year’s funding cycle marks a significant shift in priorities under Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. Unlike previous years, the 2025 CDL Program Implementation (CDLPI) grant no longer includes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) or climate change-related conditions. These provisions, mandated under the previous administration, were removed to streamline the program and concentrate resources directly on improving safety outcomes and accountability measures.
According to FMCSA, the core objective of the CDLPI grant is to assist states in meeting compliance standards for federal safety regulations and to preserve the integrity of the CDL issuance system. The program operates under the foundational principle of “One Driver. One License. One Record.” This ensures that commercial drivers cannot circumvent regulations or hide poor safety records by moving between jurisdictions.
The new funding opportunity emphasizes real-world safety improvements and program transparency. Applicants are encouraged to review the revised NOFO carefully, as the elimination of non-safety-related provisions signals a renewed focus on results-driven initiatives. The reformed criteria prioritize system improvements, robust training, data accuracy, and enforcement enhancements that demonstrably reduce crashes and roadway injuries.
Eligible applicants include state driver licensing agencies, local and state governments, and nonprofit partners committed to driver training, program compliance, and regulatory development. Grants will be awarded on a discretionary basis, meaning proposals will be evaluated on their individual merit and potential impact as outlined in the funding guidelines.
Applications must be submitted electronically through GRANTS.GOV under opportunity number FM-CDL-25-003-116996. The deadline to apply is July 7, 2025, by 5:00 PM ET.
This initiative is part of FMCSA’s broader mission to reduce fatalities and injuries involving large trucks and buses. The agency continues to collaborate with state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and industry stakeholders to uphold high standards in driver training, enforcement, and safety compliance.
By refocusing grant funding away from broader political mandates and directly into tangible safety efforts, the FMCSA aims to ensure America’s roads are safer for all users while supporting the evolving needs of the commercial transportation industry.
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