The CDLPI discretionary grant seeks to improve highway safety by supporting Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Programs on a State and National level. The funding assists grant partners in achieving compliance with the CDL regulations in 49 CFR Parts 383 and 384 by providing funding directly to States and other entities capable of executing National projects to aid States in their compliance efforts.
In FY 2022, FMCSA awarded CDLPI grant funding to enhance State compliance and improve the National CDL program to 32 grantees across the country, with awards totaling $44.2 million. Organizations from 27 State governments were awarded a total of $29.2 million, while five additional organizations received $15 million in funding.
FMCSA encourages applicants to consider how proposed projects affect or support racial equity and underserved communities in the delivery of the program and the outputs and outcomes of the projects in support of Executive Order 13985. Learn more about FMCSA’s commitment to equity in administering grant funding.
The CDLPI grant supports the National Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Program by providing funding to assist States with achieving compliance with regulations 49 CFR Parts 383 and 384. This is accomplished by awarding grant funding both directly to agencies charged with managing State CDL programs as well as to organizations that operate at a National level to further compliance efforts, including a number of partners featured in the "Related Resources" menus on this page.
The goal of the National CDL Program supports FMCSA's mission by ensuring that only qualified drivers are eligible to receive and retain a CDL. The program focuses on maintaining the concept that each driver has only one driving record and only one licensing document, commonly referred to as "One Driver. One License. One Record."
Further, States are required to conduct knowledge and skills testing before issuing a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) or CDL, maintain a complete and accurate driver history record for anyone who obtains a CLP and/or CDL, and to impose driver disqualifications as appropriate.
Visit the new Grants Resource Center to explore training, guidance, and tools to assist you in applying for and maintaining the CDLPI grant.
More Information on the CDLPI Grant
The CDLPI Grant program is authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Public Law 117-58 (2021). Codified at 49 U.S.C. §§ 31104 and 31313.
All CDLPI applications must be filed electronically through Grants.gov. Additional application requirements will be indicated on the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) announcement, and all required forms must be completed and uploaded in Grants.gov within the timeframe provided. It is recommended that all potential applicants provide projects that are related to the priorities outlined in the NOFO. CDLPI applications may include requests to support projects that will assist States in achieving or maintaining compliance with FMCSA rulemaking, such as including Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT), Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (DACH), National Registry 2, etc.
Eligible applicants for the CDLPI grant include agencies in each State responsible for development, implementation, and maintenance of all or part of the CDL program or that have a direct impact on a State’s compliance with the provisions of 49 CFR Parts 383 and 384. These primarily refer to State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLA). Other State agencies should coordinate, if practical, with the lead CDL agency prior to submitting an application.
CDLPI grant partners are required to monitor activities throughout the grant’s period of performance (POP) to ensure they are meeting their goals and fulfilling their safety mission. Managing the grant should include performance measurement monitoring – with specific benchmarks and timelines – as laid out in the grant application.
Grantees must submit quarterly reports throughout the POP and are responsible for monitoring subgrantees. Grantees can learn more about monitoring, reporting, audits, and other important aspects of managing grants in the FMCSA's online Grants Management Training.