USDOT announces $3.5 million in grants for commercial driver training

These grants aim to improve road safety through additional training for CDL holders and the creation of new job opportunities

On August 26, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced the allocation of approximately $3.5 million for commercial driver training at 27 centers across the United States. The grants awarded by the USDOT range from $101,000 to $139,980 for 26 public centers and Nordic Enterprises in California, which leads the Western Pacific Truck School.

Funded by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration through the Commercial Vehicle Operator Training Grant Program, these investments are intended to meet the growing demand for truck drivers and better prepare for the future. These grants aim to improve road safety through additional training for CDL holders and the creation of new job opportunities.

Roadway Action Plan: strengthening the industry

According to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, this funding is crucial for the Roadway Action Plan, which seeks to strengthen supply chains and support workers who keep the economy moving. The main objectives of the Commercial Vehicle Operator Training Grant Program are:

Increasing the number of CDL holders by providing better safety training for operators.
Opening opportunities in the trucking industry for current or former U.S. military members.
Offering these opportunities to members of rural communities, refugees, and underserved groups to train them for the industry.

Vinn White, Deputy Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), emphasized that the agency focuses on road and commercial driver safety. That is why the agency is proud to provide funding to facilitate entry and retention in the commercial vehicle industry. More than 50% of FMCSA’s annual budget is dedicated to promoting the safety of these vehicles in states and local communities.

In 2022, the USDOT launched the National Roadway Safety Strategy with the goal of significantly reducing injuries and deaths on the roads, aiming for zero deaths through prioritized actions related to people, roads, vehicles, speeds, and post-crash care.

The cost of obtaining a CDL ranges from $4,000 to $12,000, with training typically lasting 160 hours. The average salary for a truck driver in the U.S. is $101,256. These new investments aim to sustain the program and facilitate driver training to ensure road safety.