DeWine announces $6M to bolster Ohio driver education for youths – Cleveland.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced $6 million in grants to expand access to driver education for young people across the state.
The funding, part of the Ohio Traffic Safety Office’s Drive to Succeed program, will provide driver training scholarships for more than 10,000 new drivers under age 21 in all 88 counties.
Language in the state budget that DeWine signed in late June, lawmakers increased the age requirement for driver’s ed from age 18 to age 21.
Four educational service centers — East Central Ohio, Fairfield County, Midwest Regional, and North Central Ohio — will each receive $1.5 million over the next two years to administer the scholarships.
“Being able to drive opens doors to jobs, school, and so many aspects of daily life,” DeWine said in a statement. “Through the Drive to Succeed program, we are making sure that more young people across Ohio have the chance to safely earn their license and build a stronger future for themselves.”
The Drive to Succeed program, launched in 2022, helps families who cannot afford the cost of driving school. More than 5,100 students have already received scholarships covering the 24 hours of classroom instruction and eight hours of behind-the-wheel training required for a license.
Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel said the initiative removes cost barriers to driver education.
“Safe driving starts with access to strong driver education,” he said.
The four ESCs have 150 days to launch their scholarship programs. Once active, students can apply through the Ohio Traffic Safety Office website.
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