Opportunity Information: Apply for FM CDL 20 001
The FY2020 Commercial Driver's License Program Implementation (CDLPI) grant (Funding Opportunity Number: FM CDL 20 001) is a discretionary federal grant offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The program is designed to strengthen the National CDL Program by helping jurisdictions ensure that only properly qualified individuals receive and keep a Commercial Driver's License (CDL). At the center of the program is the long-standing compliance principle often summarized as "One Driver - One License - One Record," meaning each commercial driver should have a single licensing credential and a single, complete driving history record that follows them across jurisdictions.
A major focus of the opportunity is supporting state-level systems and practices that protect the integrity of CDL issuance and oversight. This includes ensuring states conduct required knowledge and skills testing before issuing a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) and/or a CDL, maintaining accurate and complete driver history records for anyone who obtains a CLP or CDL, and applying driver disqualifications when required. In practical terms, the grant is aimed at improving how licensing agencies prevent fraud, reduce errors and gaps in driver records, and consistently enforce qualification and disqualification rules so unsafe or ineligible drivers are not able to obtain or retain commercial driving privileges.
FMCSA structured the FY2020 announcement to fund projects in two separate categories: CDLPI Basic Grants and CDLPI High Priority/Emerging Issues Grants. While the notice summary does not list specific example projects, the distinction signals that the program supports both core CDL program implementation needs (the "basic" category) and targeted efforts that address urgent, higher-risk, or newly developing challenges affecting CDL oversight (the "high priority/emerging issues" category). The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) also provides guidance on what activities are expected under the FY2020 program and how applicants should prepare and submit their applications.
Eligible applicants include a wide range of public entities and certain nonprofit organizations: state governments, county governments, cities or townships, special district governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits (excluding institutions of higher education). The funding activity category is Transportation, and the program is listed under CFDA number 20.232. For FY2020, the opportunity projected up to 50 awards, with an overall maximum funding ceiling of $32,702,000. The grant was created on January 7, 2020, with an original application deadline of February 21, 2020.
Overall, this grant opportunity is about helping licensing and oversight authorities build and maintain reliable CDL systems that support highway safety, ensure consistent enforcement of federal CDL requirements, and reduce the chances that drivers can hold multiple credentials, evade disqualifications, or slip through testing and recordkeeping safeguards.Apply for FM CDL 20 001
- The Department of Transportation, DOT/Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY2020 Commercial Driver's License Program Implementation" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.232.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 07, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 21, 2020 No Explanation. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $32,702,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 50 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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FY2020 Commercial Driver's License Program Implementation (CDLPI) Grant (FM CDL 20 001) - FAQs
What is the FY2020 Commercial Driver's License Program Implementation (CDLPI) grant?
The FY2020 CDLPI grant is a discretionary federal grant offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). It is intended to strengthen the National Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Program by helping jurisdictions ensure that only properly qualified individuals receive and keep a CDL.
Which agency administers this grant opportunity?
The grant is offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FM CDL 20 001.
What is the central goal of the CDLPI program?
The central goal is to improve the integrity and consistency of CDL issuance and oversight so that unsafe or ineligible drivers are not able to obtain or retain commercial driving privileges, and so that driver licensing and history records are accurate and complete.
What does "One Driver - One License - One Record" mean in this program?
"One Driver - One License - One Record" is the long-standing compliance principle that each commercial driver should have a single licensing credential and a single, complete driving history record that follows them across jurisdictions. The grant supports systems and practices that help prevent multiple credentials and fragmented records.
What kinds of issues is this grant meant to address?
Based on the program description, the grant is aimed at helping jurisdictions prevent fraud, reduce errors and gaps in driver records, and consistently enforce qualification and disqualification rules related to commercial driving privileges.
How does the program support CDL testing requirements?
The program emphasizes ensuring that states conduct required knowledge and skills testing before issuing a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) and/or a CDL, aligning licensing decisions with proper testing and qualification safeguards.
How does the grant relate to Commercial Learner's Permits (CLPs)?
The opportunity highlights the importance of maintaining accurate and complete driver history records for anyone who obtains a CLP or CDL, and ensuring required testing occurs before a CLP and/or CDL is issued.
What does the program say about driver history records?
A major focus is maintaining accurate and complete driver history records for individuals who obtain a CLP or CDL, supporting reliable recordkeeping and oversight across jurisdictions.
Does this grant address driver disqualifications?
Yes. The opportunity specifically mentions applying driver disqualifications when required as part of strengthening oversight and ensuring consistent enforcement of federal CDL requirements.
What are the funding categories under the FY2020 CDLPI announcement?
FMCSA structured the FY2020 funding into two categories: CDLPI Basic Grants and CDLPI High Priority/Emerging Issues Grants.
What is the difference between CDLPI Basic Grants and High Priority/Emerging Issues Grants?
Based on the notice summary, the distinction indicates support for both core CDL program implementation needs (Basic Grants) and more targeted efforts addressing urgent, higher-risk, or newly developing challenges affecting CDL oversight (High Priority/Emerging Issues Grants).
Are example projects listed in the notice summary?
No. The summary notes that specific example projects are not listed there, but it indicates that the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) provides guidance on expected activities and how to prepare and submit applications.
Where can applicants find detailed guidance on expected activities and application steps?
The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the FY2020 program provides guidance on what activities are expected and how applicants should prepare and submit their applications.
Who is eligible to apply for the CDLPI grant?
Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, cities or townships, special district governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (excluding institutions of higher education).
Are institutions of higher education eligible if they are nonprofit?
No. The eligibility list specifies 501(c)(3) nonprofits excluding institutions of higher education.
What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?
The funding activity category is Transportation.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The program is listed under CFDA number 20.232.
How many awards were projected for FY2020?
The opportunity projected up to 50 awards for FY2020.
What was the total maximum funding ceiling for the FY2020 opportunity?
The overall maximum funding ceiling was $32,702,000.
When was the grant opportunity created?
The grant was created on January 7, 2020.
What was the original application deadline for FY2020?
The original application deadline was February 21, 2020.
What is the main public benefit of the CDLPI grant?
The opportunity is intended to support highway safety by strengthening CDL systems, improving oversight, and reducing the chance that drivers can hold multiple credentials, evade disqualifications, or bypass testing and recordkeeping safeguards.
How does this grant help with interstate consistency?
By supporting the "One Driver - One License - One Record" principle and promoting complete driver history records that follow drivers across jurisdictions, the grant is oriented toward more consistent, reliable oversight across state lines.
Does the summary specify the exact projects that will be funded?
No. The summary does not list specific example projects, but it indicates that projects fall under two categories (Basic and High Priority/Emerging Issues) and that the NOFO provides guidance on expected activities.
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