The CDL grant program, as authorized by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), is a Federal discretionary grant program that provides financial assistance to States to improve compliance with the requirements of 49 CFR Parts 383 and 384. Additionally, the CDLPI grant program seeks to provide funding for projects that will improve the national Commercial Driver's License (CDL) program.

To achieve the goals of SAFETEA-LU and the FMCSA mission of reducing the number of crashes and fatalities involving large trucks and buses, the national priority for the FY 2010 CDLPI grant program is:

1. Compliance with the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 (CMVSA) and its amending legislation, including the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999 (MCSIA). Priority funding will go to those projects which are aligned to this national priority and which will bring a State into substantial compliance with 49 CFR Parts 383 and 384.

For those States making a good faith effort towards substantial compliance with 49 CFR Parts 383 and 384, the FMCSA will consider applications for projects:

1. that improve the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of driver history and conviction information exchanged between law enforcement, prosecutors, the courts, employers, and State driver licensing agencies; this includes the timely transfer of licensing, conviction, and withdrawal information from one State driver licensing agency to another as required by 49 CFR Part 384 § § 207, 208, and 209;
2. that improve the accuracy of data currently in driver history databases. Data accuracy and completeness is critical to a State's ability to comply with CMVSA and MCSIA;
3. that update and improve CDL knowledge and skills tests to ensure drivers of large trucks and buses possess the knowledge and skills necessary to operate those vehicles safely;
4. that improve the prevention and detection of fraudulent activities through better implementation of CDL program management control and oversight practices, including the covert monitoring and use of automated CDL knowledge testing systems;
5. that increase outreach and training to the criminal justice community on the importance of properly charging, adjudicating, and sanctioning CDL holders and CMV operators of those offenses listed in 49 CFR 383.51.

In reviewing applications submitted for this program, FMCSA will consider various factors, including:

• Compliance – The State's progress towards achieving full compliance with the provisions of 49 CFR Parts 383 and 384.
• Prior performance – Completion of identified programs and goals per the project plan submitted under previous grants awarded to the applicant, if applicable.
• Effective Use of Prior Grants – The applicant has demonstrated timely use of available funds in previous awards, if applicable.
• Cost Effectiveness – Applications will be evaluated and prioritized on the expected impact on safety relative to the investment of grant funds. Where appropriate, costs per unit will be calculated and compared with national averages to determine effectiveness. In other areas, proposed costs will be compared with historical information to confirm reasonableness.
• Applicability to announced priorities – grant applications that specifically address these issues will be given priority consideration.
• Ability of the applicant to support the strategies and activities in the proposal for the entire project period of performance.
• Use of innovative approaches in executing a project plan to address identified safety issues.
• Feasibility of overall program coordination and implementation based upon the project plan.

Those projects which will bring the State applicant into substantial compliance with 49 CFR Parts 383 and 384 will receive the highest funding priority.

The FMCSA reserves the right to waive informalities in evaluating applications.