Governor DeWine announces new program to increase teen driver training options

10/2/2023

Last week, Governor Mike DeWine announced details of a new program that will increase the number of quality driver training programs in Ohio.

The new Creating Opportunities for Driver Education Grant Program aims to provide more opportunities for teens to access affordable, quality driver education. The grants will be used to help educational service centers, school districts and career-technical schools establish or expand driver training programs in the high schools they serve.

A total of $4 million in state funds will be awarded by the Ohio Traffic Safety Office to qualifying entities through a competitive grant process. The funding can be used to cover the cost of training vehicles, instructor salaries, online education and other administrative costs.

Agencies that wish to receive a grant must submit their proposals before Dec. 15, 2023. The complete grant proposal and guidelines can be found on the Driver Training Grants page on the Ohio Traffic Safety Office’s website.

This announcement follows a number of traffic safety initiatives for young drivers announced by Governor DeWine, including scholarships for teenagers from low-income families to enroll in driver training. Earlier this year, the Governor announced 25 governmental agencies received $575,000 in grants through the Drive to Succeed program.