Overview
Governor Kim Reynolds today announced the Iowa Entry-Level Driver Training Program, a new funding opportunity aimed at increasing training opportunities and making it easier to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in the state.
The new grant opportunity will provide $6 million to support employers, nonprofits, or related organizations who sponsor or partner on key training programs designed to prepare potential drivers for CDL skills or knowledge tests. The grant program hopes to remove costly barriers and, ultimately, create more drivers with CDL licenses across the state.
Grant funding for the Iowa Entry-Level Driver Training Program will reimburse eligible organizations in Iowa that offer these critical training programs either in-house or through partnerships with certified training providers. If the program is provided in-house, reimbursement can be used on instructor wages, curriculum materials, and maintenance needs. If the program is offered via outside training providers, reimbursement must go towards Entry-Level Driver Training program tuition.
- Press release: Gov. Reynolds announces new entry-level CDL training program
Applications will be accepted at IowaGrants.gov starting on December 13 and will be due on February 3 at 11:59 AM (Note: IowaGrants.gov will be undergoing scheduled website maintenance and will be unavailable in early December)
- Notice of Funding: Iowa Entry-Level Driver Training Program
- Appendix A - Grant and Application Guidance
- Appendix B - Scoring Rubric
- Appendix C - IowaGrants.gov New User Guide
- Appendix D - Budget Narrative Information
Resources
Webinar: How to apply for the Iowa Entry-Level Driving Training opportunity (recorded) - YouTube
Watch the webinar recording about the Entry-Level Driver Training program (December 13, 2022). The program is a new opportunity aimed at providing funding to reimburse Iowa-based employers, employer consortiums, and non-profits that provide Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) either in-house or through partnership with third-party certified training providers. Eligible applicants include Iowa businesses, employer consortiums and non-profits who employ Iowa CDL drivers. There will be a Q&A portion at the end.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Questions
For any questions on the new grant opportunity, please contact Micheal Cockrum at Micheal.Cockrum@iwd.iowa.gov