• DMACC receives a $127,400 federal grant to help improve roadway safety by providing training for those pursuing a CDL

  • The grant will pay the full cost of tuition for qualified individuals

  • It also creates new pathways for career opportunities as drivers in the commercial motor vehicle industry

  • DMACC is one of four Iowa community colleges to receive the grant

DMACC’s Transportation Institute has received $127,400 in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) through a Commercial Motor Vehicle Operational Safety (CMVOST) grant for federal fiscal year 2024. The funding will pay the cost of tuition for students who are pursuing their commercial driver’s license (CDL). Qualified individuals include veterans and their family members and underrepresented populations.

The mission of FMCSA is to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities involving large trucks and buses.

“At FMCSA, our job is all about safety – that includes safety of the roadways and safety of our nation’s commercial motor vehicle drivers,” said FMCSA Deputy Administrator Vinn White. “So, we are proud to make this funding available, and are committed to working with the awardees to put it to good use, making it easier for drivers to enter into and stay in the CMV industry.”

The agency is awarding more than $3.5 million to states and other entities through the CMVOST grant, which seeks to reduce the severity and number of crashes on our nation’s roads involving large trucks and buses by expanding the number of CDL holders possessing enhanced operator safety training.

The CMVOST grant program has three goals:

  1. To expand the number of CDL holders possessing enhanced operator safety training

  2. To provide opportunities for current or former members of the United States Armed Forces (including National Guard members and reservists) and their families to enter the trucking or busing industry as drivers

  3. To increase training opportunities for candidates from rural, refugee and underserved communities.

White said this grant will help reduce the severity and number of crashes on our nation’s roads involving large trucks and buses by expanding the number of CDL holders possessing enhanced operator safety training. The focus on attracting veterans and individuals from underserved communities helps expand and diversify the trucking industry. The grant also highlights the Biden-Harris Administration’s continued commitment to its Trucking Action Plan, increasing the pool of trained drivers to strengthen the trucking workforce. Strengthening our nation’s trucking workforce also improves the resiliency of our national supply chain.

“This grant will support the trucking industry by developing more safe drivers to address the trucking needs in Iowa,” said Derrick Walker, DMACC’s Director of Manufacturing, Engineering, Trades & Transportation (METT). “It will also assist veterans in transitioning to trucking careers after their service and provide funding for underserved populations to receive training and secure rewarding careers in the industry.”

DMACC President Rob Denson who worked his way through college by driving trucks still maintains his CDL. He said this support would have a lasting impact on student success.

“A career as a commercial driver can launch a great career and lead anywhere. If you’re not careful you might end up as a college president. And I’m still driving,” said Denson.

DMACC was one of four Iowa community colleges to receive this federal funding. Iowa Central Community College received $119,000; Hawkeye Community College received $132,375 and Western Iowa Tech Community College received $131,000. DMACC has received this award annually since 2019.

The DMACC Transportation Institute’s Commercial Vehicle Operator Training course requires students to first complete an online theory course and then a three-week, behind-the-wheel driving course. The total program meets FMCSA standards and regulations for Entry-Level Driver Training.​ DMACC is also an authorized Iowa DOT third-party testing provider, so upon successful completion of the course, students can complete testing and obtain their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) efficiently.

The DMACC Transportation Institute accepts students on a rolling basis throughout the year. To learn more, visit cdl.dmacc.edu.

DMACC’s Transportation Institute is undergoing a multi-million dollar expansion project will allow the College to nearly double its enrollment capacity to help train the next generation of truck drivers. The project includes construction of an 8,600-square-foot facility with classrooms, a three-story inspection bay and student study space. Additionally, the Institute’s current 12-acre concrete training course, which is where students practice driving techniques, will be repaved.

Construction of the new DMACC Transportation Institute is already underway and is set to be completed in 2025.

Contact: Derrick Walker, 515-965-7190