The **U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)** has announced the **Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Commercial Driver's License Program Implementation (CDLPI)** grant program. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) aims to support state and local governments, Tribal governments, educational institutions, and other eligible entities in improving and maintaining compliance with federal CDL regulations to enhance safety, data quality, and program efficiency. The total anticipated funding for FY 2025 is approximately **$88.7 million**, contingent on congressional appropriations. Applications are due by **February 24, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EST**.

The CDLPI program focuses on FMCSA’s mission to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) by supporting CDL-related activities. The program ensures that drivers possess a **“One Driver – One License – One Record”** system by implementing and improving federal CDL standards. The program awards grants in two categories: **CDLPI Basic Grants** for compliance activities and **High Priority/Emerging Issues Grants** for innovative projects addressing key priorities. These grants align with the DOT’s strategic goals, including **Safety, Economic Strength, Equity, Climate Sustainability, and Organizational Excellence**, as well as the **National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS)**, which emphasizes a Safe System Approach to roadway safety.

Eligible applicants include **State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs)**, **Tribal governments**, **institutions of higher education (IHE)**, **non-profit organizations**, **multi-State partnerships**, and other entities capable of executing CDL-related projects. The NOFO strongly encourages projects that address equity in transportation, climate change resilience, and underserved communities in alignment with Executive Orders 13985 and 14008. For SDLAs, project goals must support compliance with 49 U.S.C. § 31311 and **49 CFR parts 383 and 384** regarding CDL knowledge and skills testing, driver history records (DHRs), and disqualifications.

Applicants must propose performance goals and specific metrics to evaluate success, which may include improved compliance, data accuracy, fraud prevention, human trafficking recognition training, and increased testing capacity. Projects may include activities such as enhancing the accuracy and timeliness of DHRs, automating CDL processes to reduce costs, implementing systems to prevent fraud, expanding human trafficking awareness, and improving adjudication processes for CDL-related violations. FMCSA will monitor award performance through data sources such as the **State Compliance Records Enterprise System (SCORE)**, **Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS)**, and other relevant data provided by grantees.

The FMCSA has outlined clear performance indicators that grantees must use to measure project outcomes. Examples of performance indicators include timely CDL downgrades due to violations, improved medical examiner certificate (MEC) updates, faster conviction and withdrawal postings, and increased training participation for state and judicial staff. Applicants are encouraged to develop additional project-specific goals and performance indicators relevant to their activities. Monitoring and reporting are critical components of the grant, with grantees required to track progress and share results with FMCSA through regular performance and financial reporting.

Applications must include detailed information about the project’s objectives, methods, budget, and expected outcomes. FMCSA will review applications based on criteria such as alignment with program priorities, feasibility, innovation, and cost-effectiveness. Proposals that demonstrate innovative approaches to improving CDL program integrity, address fraud prevention, and support underserved communities will receive special consideration. Applicants should ensure compliance with **federal reporting requirements** outlined in the NOFO, including the submission of performance metrics, financial tracking, and adherence to FMCSA regulations.

For questions related to financial applications, applicants can contact **Montika Brooks** at **montika.brooks@dot.gov**. For programmatic inquiries, contact **Isabella Marra** at **CDLGrants@dot.gov**. Complete application instructions and requirements are detailed in the NOFO, and applicants are encouraged to thoroughly review all sections, including the **Budget Narrative Guidance (Appendix B)** and the **Application Package Checklist (Appendix A)**, to ensure compliance with submission requirements.