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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has awarded nearly $3.5 million to 27 colleges and schools for commercial driver license training programs with the largest grants going to Texas, Iowa, Maryland, Oregon and Pennsylvania.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the federal grants will help meet the nation’s growing demand for truck drivers, “strengthen America’s supply chains and support the workers who keep our economy moving.”

The federal funding allocations, announced Aug. 26, come from the Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training Grant program to increase CDL holders who have enhanced operator safety training, and enable current and former military members and some family members to become truck or bus drivers. Another goal of the program is to open driving career paths for people living in rural, refugee or underserved communities.

“At FMCSA, our job is all about safety — that includes safety of the roadways and safety of our nation’s commercial motor vehicle drivers,” said Vinn White, FMCSA deputy administrator. “We are proud to make this funding available, and are committed to working with the awardees to put it to good use, making it easier for drivers to enter into and stay in the CMV [commercial motor vehicle] industry.”

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White 

Texas received the greatest amount, with grants totaling $635,316. They were awarded to North Central Texas College, Collin County Community College District, Houston Community College, Lone Star College-North Harris and Texas State Technical College.

Iowa received a total of $509,775 for four community colleges, followed by Maryland’s $240,675 for three community colleges. Receiving the next highest amounts, each to be distributed to two schools, were Oregon ($265,829) and Pennsylvania ($262,475).

The lowest amounts went to Ohio with $126,000 for Clark State College, Washington’s $128,521 grant to Walla Walla Community College and Alabama’s award of $129,500 for Wallace State Community College.

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Phil Byrd Sr. received Trucking Cares Foundation's John Lex Achievement Award in 2023. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics) 

In a related effort, Trucking Cares Foundation — American Trucking Associations’ charitable arm — donated $40,000 to support truck driver training. The funding was awarded to the nonprofit Next Generation in Trucking Foundation to develop a fitness course called TruckFit to include in CDL training for high schools, community/technical colleges and private schools in North America. The course instructs new drivers on how to prioritize their physical and mental health while on the road.

TCF Chairman Phil Byrd Sr. said the donation not only supports the nonprofit’s efforts but also will “promote healthy and active lifestyles so that new drivers can sustain these rewarding careers for the long haul.”

“Driver health is a priority as we train the next-generation workforce of commercial drivers,” said Lindsey Trent, president and co-founder of Next Generation in Trucking Association. “Now, with the partnership with the Trucking Cares Foundation, we can make this a reality and offer practical ways for student drivers to stay healthy while on the road before their careers begin.”