Biden-Harris Administration Opens Applications for Over $180 Million in Safety Grants for Commercial Motor Vehicles

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes way for funding that will boost innovation, expand partnerships, and enhance training to make roadways safer for all 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced the availability of more than $180 million in grants to promote roadway safety. These grants, part of the funding included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, are open to state, territorial, and tribal organizations, local jurisdictions, academic institutions, and other training programs and entities to promote commercial motor vehicle (CMV) safety-related activities. 

“When we improve technology, training, and tools to make our roadways safer for truck and bus drivers, everyone benefits,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. “The Biden-Harris Administration is proud to announce more than $180 million to make commercial vehicle driving safer and more efficient, while creating onramps for veterans and military families entering these great careers.” 

The funding opportunities are available through five discretionary grant programs, each with unique objectives:

The High Priority Innovative Technology Deployment Grant Program supports innovative and impactful projects that advance the technological capability and promote the deployment of intelligent transportation system applications for truck parking information management systems and other CMV operations; support and maintain CMV information systems/networks to link Federal motor carrier safety information systems with state CMV systems; improve safety and productivity of CMVs and commercial drivers; and reduce costs associated with CMV operations and regulatory requirements.

The High Priority Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Grant Program funds CMV safety-related activities that increase public awareness and education on CMV safety, target unsafe driving in high-risk crash corridors, demonstrate new technologies to improve CMV safety, improve safety data, and support other projects that help meet FMCSA’s mission of improving CMV safety nationwide.

The Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training Grant Program funds organizations providing CMV operator training with the goal of enhancing training access to current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families, as well as underserved and refugee communities.  

The Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation Grant Program helps implement and enhance the national commercial driver’s license (CDL) program, which is focused on ensuring each CDL driver has only one driving record and licensing document, commonly referred to as “One Driver — One License — One Record.”

The High Priority Enforcement Training and Support Grant Program funds the development and delivery of motor carrier safety training to non-Federal employees who conduct CMV enforcement activities in accordance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR), and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Out-of-Service criteria; and to develop related training materials to increase awareness and education on CMV safety and otherwise improve CMV safety.

“FMCSA’s core mission is safety. That’s a big job, and it’s one we cannot do alone,” said FMCSA Acting Deputy Administrator Sue Lawless. “This grant funding is one way we bring in safety partners to help reduce crashes involving large trucks and buses. We are proud to support the critical CMV safety work happening across the country.”

FMCSA’s five discretionary grant programs also support the National Roadway Safety Strategy and advancement of the Safe System Approach. 

Grant applications for the fiscal year 2024 cycle are due by 5:00 pm Eastern Time on Friday, Apr. 19, 2024. The full Notice of Funding Opportunity announcements can be found at Grants.gov. Details regarding funding amounts, application requirements along with applicant and project eligibility can be found on FMCSA’s Grants website. 

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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) mission is to prevent crashes, fatalities, and injuries involving large trucks and buses. FMCSA develops safety and regulatory standards for commercial driver’s licenses; analyzes data and sponsors’ research; and promotes enforcement and education. FMCSA partners with nonprofit organizations, local and State governments, and other stakeholders to support innovative commercial driver training, safety inspections, and enhanced compliance and enforcement initiatives.