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The need for drivers and a desire to be good corporate citizens has spurred some carriers to reach out to state correctional agencies to encourage the training of inmates to take the commercial driver license test.

Albany Technical College, based in Albany, Ga., is increasing enrollment opportunities for students studying to be truck drivers.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s recent series of state-level grants will not only improve driver safety, but will also expedite the process of obtaining a commercial driver license, according to Tom Keane, director of the agency’s Office of Safety Programs.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration earlier this month sent a survey to states asking for detailed information on the extent of delays in commercial driver license skills testing after industry stakeholders complaints that the delays are contributing to a driver shortage and slowing employment start dates for new drivers.

About 60% of commercial driver license applicants in Iowa fail the knowledge exam on their first try, according to Mindi Nguyen, assistant to the director of the state Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Division. But with a new mobile application, Iowa DOT will attempt to redress that.

Sauk Valley Community College in Illinois is ramping up its commercial driver’s license training, adding classes to funnel more workers into the region’s top-growing occupation.

Transport Topics has won a national award for its CDL or Bust daily online series that traced the efforts of seven students to earn commercial driver licenses and become professional truck drivers.

The American Society of Business Publication Editors announced at an April 13 awards luncheon in Washington, D.C., that Transport Topics had won regional silver awards for two features: Its "CDL or Bust” digital series and the July 2016 print edition of iTECH.