In Ohio this past week, state leaders have announced a major effort to expand access to driver education for teens and young drivers, especially those who might struggle to afford it. Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jim Tressel revealed $6 million in new grant funding through the Ohio Traffic Safety Office’s Drive to Succeed program. This initiative will provide scholarships to help more than 10,000 young Ohioans under age 21 complete required driver training. 

What’s Changing for New Drivers

The Drive to Succeed scholarships are designed to cover the costs of building essential driving skills, including the 24‑hour teen driving education course, 8 hours of behind‑the‑wheel instruction with a certified instructor, and 50 hours of supervised practice with a licensed adult (including at least 10 night hours) that Ohio now mandates for new drivers up to age 21. 
This expanded support is helpful because Ohio recently updated its law so that drivers aged 18‑20 must complete a full driver education course and practice, rather than opting out as they could previously. 

How This Affects Teens, Permit Holders & Parents

For teens and permit holders, this means more opportunities to complete the full driver training experience without the financial burden that often comes with driving school fees. Scholarship funding can make the difference between a young person being ready to take their driving test or not. Parents can also feel more confident knowing there’s extra support available to help teens get the driver education and supervised practice they need. With the expanded requirement to complete 24 classroom hours plus behind‑the‑wheel instruction before scheduling a driver license test, these grants can ease stress and cost while keeping families on track. 

Why It Matters

Teen drivers are statistically at higher risk for crashes due to inexperience, and Ohio’s push to improve driver education aims to reduce those risks by ensuring young drivers get solid training before they go solo. The Drive to Succeed program directly supports that goal by helping families cover the costs associated with learner licenses, driver education courses, and practice needed to avoid failing the driving test. 

Reminder: Students preparing for their permit or driver license, whether you’re just starting or still logging those supervised driving hours, can stay compliant and confident with comprehensive training at DriverEdToGo.com.