FY 2012 Commercial Driver's License Program Improvement (CDLPI) Funding

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) re-announces the availability of Commercial Driver?s License Program Improvement (CDLPI) grant funding as authorized by sections 4101(c)(1) and 4124 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users of 2005 (SAFETEA-LU) Pub. L. 109-59. These authorities help to ensure States comply with statutory standards for their Commercial Driver?s License (CDL) programs and also to generally improve the CDL program across the nation. For FY 2012, FMCSA was appropriated $30 million in CDLPI grant funding to be awarded to eligible applicants, including the 50 States and the District of Columbia. FMCSA had an initial application deadline of November 14, 2011. Based on its review of these applications, FMCSA expects to award $24 million. As a result, FMCSA has an additional $6 million of CDLPI funds available. The FMCSA will award grants under this announcement in three distinct categories: ? Basic CDLPI grants ? at least 80% of available funds (estimated at $20,000,000 in FY 2012) to States to achieve the Program Goals (listed below). ? High Priority grants ? up to 10% of available funds (estimated at $2,500,000 in FY 2012) to States, local governments, and other persons for projects involving research, development, demonstration projects, public education, and other special activities and projects relating to commercial driver licensing and motor vehicle safety that are of benefit to all jurisdictions of the United States or are designed to address national safety concerns and circumstances. ? Emerging Issues grants ? up to 10% of available funds (estimated at $2,500,000 in FY 2012) to States, local governments, and other persons to address emerging issues relating to commercial driver's license improvements. The FMCSA will automatically consider State applications for the Basic CDLPI grant unless specifically indicated otherwise in the application. The FMCSA will automatically assign non- State applications into the High Priority or Emerging Issues categories based on its determination of the appropriate category. Non-State applicants must be able to conduct programs on a national level that will provide widespread benefit to one or more groups of CDL stakeholders. Any application from a State applied for as a High Priority or Emerging Issue project must adhere to the same criteria regarding national level work as for non-State applicants.