USDOT announces $118 million in grants to strengthen CDL standards, boost enforcement, and support veterans entering trucking
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced more than $118 million in competitive grant awards aimed at improving commercial driver’s license (CDL) standards, enhancing commercial vehicle enforcement, and helping military veterans transition into trucking careers.
The funding announcement was made on December 30, 2025, with awards going to state and local partners. USDOT said the goal is to strengthen safety and oversight in the commercial transportation system by backing programs that support licensing integrity and enforcement activity.
USDOT, led by Secretary Sean P. Duffy, framed the grants as part of a broader effort to improve road safety and the effectiveness of commercial vehicle enforcement. For drivers, that typically ties directly to how consistently CDL rules are applied across states and how enforcement resources are deployed on the road.
- CDL standards: Funding intended to support efforts that reinforce and improve CDL-related requirements and processes.
- Enforcement: Resources aimed at strengthening commercial vehicle enforcement to support safer operations.
- Veterans in trucking: Support meant to help military veterans move into trucking careers.
Because the awards are competitive and distributed through state and local partners, the impact will largely depend on how individual jurisdictions apply the funds to licensing, training-related processes, and enforcement priorities. The overall focus, according to USDOT, is improving safety and consistency in the commercial driving system while supporting workforce transitions for veterans.