FMCSA awards grants to colleges for truck driver training programs

Thirteen technical and community colleges received $2.3 million in truck diver training grants through the FMCSA’s Commercial Motor Vehicle – Operator Safety Training program.    The U.S. Transportation Department’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has awarded nearly $2.3 million in grants – double the amount provided in 2014 – to 13 technical and community colleges across the country to help train military veterans to become commercial truck drivers.
   The funding is provided through FMCSA’s Commercial Motor Vehicle-Operator Safety Training (CMV-OST) grant program.
   “One of the most important, fastest growing employment sectors is for qualified commercial vehicle drivers and veterans bring invaluable experience to the industry and can enter the workforce quickly,” Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a statement.
   In July 2014, FMCSA also expanded the Military Skills Test Waiver Program to include all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
   Under this program, state licensing agencies have authority to waive the skills test portion of the commercial driver’s license (CDL) application for active duty or recently separated veterans who possess at least two years of safe driving experience operating a military truck or bus. “Waiving the skills test expedites the civilian commercial drivers licensing application process and reduces expenses for qualified individuals and operating costs to state licensing agencies,” FMCSA said.