President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Boosts Investment in CDL Programs

First published by FMCSA

Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Drivers Programs

Photo property of FMCSA

With nearly 75% more funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this program will streamline CDL trainings to get more drivers on the road, reducing supply chain pressures and making goods more affordable for American families 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today announced that the Biden Administration is following through on its Trucking Action Plan commitment by awarding more than $44 million in grants that will enhance road safety and make the process to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) more efficient. Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, States and other entities will be able to improve their CDL programs by reducing wait times, ensuring conviction and disqualification data is electronically exchanged, implementing regulatory requirements, and combatting human trafficking. These grants, awarded through the Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation, will help get more qualified drivers on the road who can help meet supply chain demands.

The Department of Transportation made significant progress working with states to reduce CDL backlogs and wait times. Now through this funding, the Administration will create long-term resilience and avoid future delays for those who want to join this workforce.

“The Biden-Harris Administration has made it a priority not only to retain truck drivers in their important careers, but also to get more qualified truck drivers on the road,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Now, using funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are helping States bring safe, well-trained truck drivers into the workforce and ease pandemic-driven supply chain disruptions.”

President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included a 74% increase in CDLPI program funds, which will also help address the rising number of roadway fatalities–a key component in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy.

“FMCSA’s core mission is safety, and we’re proud to make investments that support the U.S. Department of Transportation’s ambitious goal of zero fatalities on our roadways,” said FMCSA Deputy Administrator Robin Hutcheson. “The grants we are announcing today are an important tool for reducing large truck crashes and supporting critical safety programs in every State.”

In total, nearly 60 percent of FMCSA’s annual budget provides States and local communities with grant funding to enhance commercial vehicle safety.

In addition to improving the process for CDLs, Secretary Buttigieg and President Biden’s Supply Chain Disruption Task Force have also been focused on the issue of truck driver retention as part of the Trucking Action Plan. Due to pay, parking shortages, and other challenges in the profession, retaining truck drivers has been a major challenge. As part of that effort, the Department has announced that it will undertake a driver compensation study and form a truck leasing task force, and also has clarified what programs in President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law can be used to address truck parking.

Read more about FMCSA’s grants and financial assistance.


McCraren Compliance can help you understand and comply with FMCSA, USDOT and ADOT and ensure your drivers and your vehicles operate safely and efficiently.

Call us Today at 888-758-4757 or email us at info@mccrarencompliance.com to schedule your free FMCSA Compliance Assessment.

Governor Ducey, ADOT ease burden on commercial drivers

First published by ADOT

Pictured is a semi truck driving through mountains.

On Dec. 9, 2021, Governor Doug Ducey announced a series of actions that ADOT is taking to safely ease the process for obtaining a Commercial Driver License (CDL) in an effort to alleviate stress on the transportation system and help address the nationwide supply chain crisis. These actions include:

To facilitate more commercial drivers being able to obtain credentials, through Executive Order, the Governor will extend the validity of the commercial learners’ permit (CLP) from six months to one year for those that expire between Dec. 1, 2021 and Feb. 28, 2022, in alignment with federal law. This gives a student more time to fulfill training requirements without having to reapply for a new permit. The purpose of the CLP is to allow a student to operate a commercial motor vehicle for training purposes with a licensed driver present.

The Executive Order, in alignment with the current federal waiver, will temporarily allow a commercial driver to keep their CDL past the date that the person’s medical certification is required, until Feb. 28, 2022. CDLs are regulated by the federal government. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) previously initiated a series of waivers, including one that allows a driver to keep their CDL active temporarily after the expiration of a medical certificate. Arizona will adopt this practice temporarily, until Feb. 28, 2022, to keep current CDL holders on the road and alleviate supply chain challenges. CDL holders can upload documents online, as well as verify the status of their Arizona medical certificate, at azmvdnow.gov.

Read the Executive Order HERE.

NOTE FROM MVD: Because of the Executive Order, Arizona’s Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) may display with a Medical Certification Status of “certified” when the driver’s medical certificate expired on or after 12/1/2021.


McCraren Compliance can help you understand and comply with FMCSA, USDOT and ADOT and ensure your drivers and your vehicles operate safely and efficiently.

Call us Today at 888-758-4757 or email us at info@mccrarencompliance.com to schedule your free FMCSA Compliance Assessment.