Authorization
The CDL grant program, as authorized by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), as amended by Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), 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, are of potential benefit to all jurisdictions in the United States, are designed to address national safety concerns and circumstances, or that address emerging issues relating to CDL program implementation.
Goals
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 CDLPI grant program is for participants to achieve compliance with the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 and its amending legislation, including the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999, SAFETEA-LU, MAP-21, and with 49 CFR Parts 383 and 384 as required by 49 U.S.C. §31311 and §31313.
Priority Applicants
Priority is given to applications that will enable States to achieve either full compliance or, in the case of a State that is making a good faith effort toward substantial compliance with the requirements of 49 U.S.C. Sections 31311 and 31313, to improve the implementation of its commercial driver’s license program. The FMCSA incorporates the Applicant’s needs assessment in its review. The CDLPI grant program is not intended to supplement ongoing operational costs. For the High Priority and Emerging Issues grants, FMCSA considers applications from States, local governments, and other persons that include, but are not limited to, providing training and/or technical assistance; facilitating the timeliness, accuracy, and completeness of data exchange; offering guidance on best practices, national issues, etc.; and supporting national CDL stakeholder meetings.