FMCSA awards more than $70M in grants to states, driving schools

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Updated Sep 27, 2017

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced Tuesday it has awarded more than $70 million in grants to states and commercial vehicle training schools to improve states’ safety efforts, help states comply with FMCSA CDL regulations, and to help train military veterans for commercial driving jobs.

The agency awarded $41.5 million in High Priority (HP) grants, which are designed to give states financial assistance for commercial vehicle safety efforts and to advance the technological capabilities of transportation system applications in CMV operations.

“Our shared goal of a safer transportation system is a top priority,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.  “These grants will further assist state and local officials in their efforts to prevent commercial motor vehicle crashes and injuries each year, and have the potential to save hundreds of lives.”

A full list of HP grants awarded by FMCSA can be found here.

FMCSA also gave $30.7 million in CDL Program Implementation (CDLPI) grants to improve the national CDL program. The program provides financial assistance to states to help them comply with FMCSA’s CDL standards and programs. The program helps states fund knowledge and skills tests, maintain a complete and accurate driver history record for anyone with a CDL and impose disqualifications against drivers who violate certain offenses. A full list of CDLPI grant recipients can be seen here.

Finally, the agency awarded $1 million in Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training grants to nine education institutions to help train military veterans for jobs as bus and truck drivers. The grants are projected to help train more than 350 students. The list of nine recipients can be seen here.