DOT doles out $118M for enforcement, CDL issuance, more
The U.S. Department of Transportation is distributing a combined $118 million through two grant programs aimed at commercial vehicle safety enforcement and improvements to how states issue commercial driver’s licenses.
The larger share, $71.6 million, is going out through High Priority (HP) grants. These include HP-Commercial Motor Vehicle (HP-CMV) and HP-Innovative Technology Deployment (HP-ITD) funding.
According to the program descriptions, the HP grants are designed to support state and local efforts that reduce commercial motor vehicle-related crashes and strengthen compliance with safety regulations.
- Enforcement efforts focused on reducing CMV-related crashes
- Safety data improvement projects
- Public awareness campaigns
- High-visibility enforcement targeting unsafe driving on high-risk CMV crash corridors
- Initiatives to improve the safe and secure movement of hazardous materials
- Deployment of new technology intended to help ensure CMV compliance with safety rules
The remaining $43.8 million is going to Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation (CDLPI) grants. These grants are intended to help states comply with federal CDL regulations and keep the issuance process secure, accurate, and resistant to fraud.
Another $43.8 million will be awarded for CDL program implementation grants.
For drivers, the funding touches two parts of day-to-day operations: roadside enforcement and the systems behind CDL issuance. The stated goals include better targeting of high-risk corridors, improved safety data, and more consistent and secure licensing processes across the states.