U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced Monday that his office will inject $217 million into the trucking and bus industries to modernize licensing systems and crack down on fraudulent operators.
Grants distributed through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will target technology upgrades and workforce development.
“The Trump Administration has the backs of American truckers.” -Sean Duffy
“The Trump Administration has the backs of American truckers,” Duffy said in a statement. “While they work hard to keep our shelves stocked and our businesses moving, USDOT is working to restore safety and integrity to their industry. We’re also investing in the next generation of truckers with modern systems that help root out the bad actors that have plagued the industry for years.”
A significant portion of the money will go toward helping states overhaul their commercial driver’s license (CDL) systems. Duffy’s office said the upgrades are aimed at ensuring that heavy-truck drivers are properly trained and licensed, while also weeding out corruption in the licensing pipeline.
The $217 million will be split across several specific grant initiatives:
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The High Priority Commercial Motor Vehicle Grant ($56.5 million): Focuses on safety programs along high-risk crash corridors, the secure transport of hazardous materials, and public safety education.
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The Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation Grant ($52 million): Assists states in modernizing national CDL networks and strengthening compliance with federal rules.
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The High Priority Innovative Technology Development Grant ($105 million): Funds high-tech integration to make roadside inspections and law enforcement investigations more effective.
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The Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training Grant ($3.5 milllion): Provides career training tuition for current and former members of the U.S. armed forces, as well as civilian candidates, entering the commercial driving workforce.
Applicants are encouraged to submit eligible projects as soon as possible, but must do so by 11:59 pm ET on June 17, 2026, USDOT officials said.
FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs said the programs rely heavily on local partnerships to succeed.
“By partnering with states, training providers, law enforcement, and nonprofit organizations, we are helping build a stronger transportation workforce, improving safety outcomes, and delivering on the Administration’s mission to move freight more safely and efficiently,” Barrs said.
Alabama Trucking officials applauded the announcement, pointing to their own work with a broad group of state and national trucking associations from across the country that drew up a blueprint last year seeking to “eliminate bad actors who exploit regulatory gaps, undermine safety, and create unfair competitive advantages in the commercial trucking industry.”
The action plan, The Fight for Fairness and Safety: Paving the Way for a Trucking Resurgence, addresses seven critical areas where fraudulent and illegal operators undercut law-abiding businesses, endanger public safety, and damage the reputation and morale of America’s professional truck drivers.
“The trucking industry is built on the hard work of family-owned businesses, independent owner-operators, and professional drivers who play by the rules.” -Mark Colson
“The trucking industry is built on the hard work of family-owned businesses, independent owner-operators, and professional drivers who play by the rules,” said Alabama Trucking President and CEO Mark Colson. “Bad actors who exploit loopholes in our regulatory systems are putting everyone at risk, and this is unacceptable. We are focused on solutions and resolute on seeing them implemented. By doing so, we will save lives, save small businesses, and set the table for a trucking resurgence.”
