$6M in grants going to pay for teen driver education – Education

(The Center Square) – Driver’s education is about to become less expensive for some in Ohio.

As part of an ongoing program, the state plans to offer $6 million in taxpayer-funded grants to educational services centers throughout Ohio for low-income scholarships to cover driver training for teenagers.

“These grants give local partners the support they need to help families in ways their agencies couldn’t normally do on their own,” Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson said. “By reducing financial barriers, we’re giving more young Ohioans access to the education they need to learn safe driving habits for a lifetime.”

Gov. Mike DeWine’s Drive to Success program began in 2023 and has already handed out more than $3 million to pay for driver’s education to almost 5,000 students. The money went to 52 different agencies, including 13 education service centers.

Groups that want the grants must submit proposals.

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“Based on what we’ve learned from the first two rounds of Drive to Succeed grants, Educational Service Centers are uniquely positioned to reach and engage young drivers at a local level,” Emily Davidson, director of the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, said. “By partnering exclusively with ESCs, we can reach larger populations of Ohio students and support them in gaining the skills they need to become safe and confident drivers.”

The average cost of driver’s education in Ohio ranges between $400 and $700. Students must complete 24 hours of classroom work and eight hours of behind-the-wheel training.

The grant announcement follows a series of initiatives from the state aimed at young drivers, including a new campaign focused on parents of teen drivers that encourages them to spend time practicing safe driving skills.