The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is now accepting applications for $89.4 million in federal grants aimed at improving highway safety through enhancements to the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Program. Eligible entities must submit their proposals by July 7 at 5 p.m. ET via Grants.gov.
This significant funding is part of the Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation (CDLPI) Grants, designed to support state driver’s licensing agencies (SDLAs) and other eligible organizations in ensuring only qualified drivers obtain and maintain CDLs. The core goal is to strengthen compliance with federal safety regulations and reduce roadway crashes involving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs).
Major Policy Shift: Focus on Safety, Not Social or Environmental Mandates
Unlike previous years, the 2025 grant cycle reflects a shift in priorities under Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has removed provisions related to climate change and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from the grant criteria. According to FMCSA’s June 6 announcement, this adjustment aims to redirect federal funds toward “genuine safety improvements, appropriate accountability, and real, measurable outcomes.”
“This change ensures taxpayer dollars are now fully dedicated to genuine safety improvements,” the agency stated, encouraging applicants to closely review the updated application guidelines to align with the revised focus.
Who Can Apply?
While most of the funding traditionally goes to state driver’s licensing agencies, FMCSA also welcomes proposals from:
- Educational Institutions
- Non-profit organization
- Research centers
- Professional training organizations- Projects should aim to enhance the national CDL program, such as by:
- Preventing the masking of driving violations
- Improving the timelines of conviction reporting from courts to licensing agencies
- Enhancing training programs to produce safer, more compliant commercial drivers
2024 Grant Distribution: A Significant Increase
The newly available $89.4 million represents a substantial increase from the $55.1 million distributed in fiscal year 2024, which was awarded to 41 projects across 30 states. This year’s expanded funding demonstrates FMCSA’s heightened commitment to addressing systemic issues in the CDL system.
Top 2024 recipients included:
– Louisiana: $7.7 million
– New York: $7.3 million
– Virginia: $5 million
– South Carolina: $4.6 million
Smaller awards went to:
– Florida: $35,168
– Colorado: $39,200
– Hawaii: $67,226
Non-state organizations funded in FY 2024 included:
– Marshall University Research Corp. (West Virginia)
– American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators
– National Center for State Courts
– Professional Truck Driver Institute Inc.
– All three non-state organizations undertook CDL-related projects in Virginia.
FMCSA’s Mission: Safer Highways for All
The CDLPI grant program is part of FMCSA’s broader mission to enhance public safety by ensuring only well-trained, properly vetted drivers are behind the wheel of large commercial vehicles. The agency follows the principle of:
“One Driver. One License. One Record.”
This framework prevents commercial drivers from holding multiple licenses in different states, making it easier to track and enforce safety violations and maintain accurate driver records nationwide.
Application Deadline and Process
Prospective applicants must submit their complete, electronically signed applications no later than 5 p.m. ET on July 7 through the official federal grant portal: Grants.gov. FMCSA urges applicants to start early to avoid technical issues and ensure all submission requirements are met.
For more detailed application instructions and eligibility requirements, visit FMCSA’s grants webpage.
