In general, to be eligible for the DBE program, persons must own 51% or more of a “small business,” establish that they are socially and economically disadvantaged within the meaning of Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, and prove they control their business.
Groups presumed to be disadvantaged include:
- Women
- Black Americans
- Hispanic Americans
- Native Americans
- Asian-Pacific Americans
- Subcontinent Asian-Pacific Americans
- Other minorities found to be disadvantaged by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
- Persons who are not members of one of the above groups who can establish their social or economic disadvantage.
For more information go to: https://www.transportation.gov/civil-rights/disadvantaged-business-enterprise/eligibility