U.S. DOT invests $118M to strengthen trucking safety, training, and veteran support

Source: FMCSA

WASHINGTON — A welcome boost for the trucking industry: on December 30, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), announced over $118 million in grants to enhance safety, training access, and veteran participation in commercial trucking.

Strengthening safety and compliance

Of the total, $71.6 million will go toward reducing crashes involving commercial vehicles, improving safety data quality, and increasing public awareness around risky driving behavior. The funds will support state and local agencies tasked with enforcing trucking regulations and targeting high-risk corridors.

Expanding CDL access and helping veterans

An additional $40 million will be used to improve access to Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs)and combat fraud within the licensing system.

Meanwhile, $3.4 million will fund training initiatives for U.S. military veterans and their families, giving them access to high-quality commercial driving programs and pathways into the industry.

Building a safer, stronger trucking future

The investment underscores USDOT’s goal of creating a safer, more inclusive, and better-trained trucking workforce — a critical step toward improving supply chain reliability and protecting lives on America’s highways.