The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently awarded more than $118 million in grants through three programs to enhance the commercial driver’s license (CDL) system.
“These grants are about giving our partners the tools they need to be effective,” FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs said.
FMCSA partners with nonprofit organizations, local and state governments, and others to support innovative commercial driver training.
A total of $71.6 million was awarded in High Priority grants. These grants support state and local enforcement efforts to reduce commercial motor vehicle-related crashes through the use of enforcement efforts targeting unsafe driving in high-risk corridors, the deployment of new technology, safety data improvement projects, initiatives to improve the safe and secure movement of hazardous material, and public awareness campaigns.
A total of $43.8 million was awarded in Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation grants. The grants help states comply with federal regulations and ensure the CDL issuance process is secure, accurate, and resistant to fraud and that only qualified drivers are eligible to receive and retain a CDL.
A total of $3.4 million was awarded in Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training grants. The grants help provide current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard, reservist, and their families with commercial driver training.