Talking Points

General Talking Points

• We are proud to be a recipient of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation (CDLPI) Grant for fiscal year (FY) 2025.
• This grant will help us improve the process to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and be an active partner in improving FMCSA’s National CDL Program.
  • It also improves road safety by helping ensure only qualified drivers can receive and retain a CDL to operate large trucks and buses on our roadways.
• According to Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) data, the number of fatalities on our nation’s roadways involving CMVs decreased by an estimated 8 percent from calendar years 2023 to 2024
• Across the country, these grants will fund projects that streamline and improve CDL processes.
• This year, FMCSA awarded over $84 million in CDLPI grant funding.
• We are excited to receive (insert amount) in grant funding. This funding will help us (insert details about project).

CDLPI Grant Background Info

• The Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation (CDLPI) Grant is an annual discretionary grant from FMCSA. It seeks to improve highway safety by supporting CDL programs on a state and national level.
• State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs), as well as state governments, local governments (cities, counties), nonprofits, higher education institutions, tribes, and other organizations, apply for grant projects to increase or maintain their jurisdiction’s compliance with national CDL regulations.
  • Other types of entities may also apply for grant projects that will have a nationwide impact on improving the National CDL Program.
• 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.”
  • It also ensures quality electronic exchange of data between jurisdictions.
• 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.
  • Grants can be used to support and improve any of these state processes.
• Grants can also be used to develop human trafficking outreach and education materials for CDL drivers.