In a move poised to expand driver training access statewide, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, alongside Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, disclosed a $6 million grant to fund driver training scholarships for youth under 21. As reported by the Office of the Governor, the Ohio Traffic Safety Office's (OTSO) Drive to Succeed Program is set to distribute these grants across four educational service centers (ESCs) in Ohio, potentially benefitting over 10,000 students in all 88 counties, demonstrating a firm commitment to building a safer future on the road for young Ohioans.
Laying out the details, Governor DeWine emphasized the importance of driving as a gateway to employment and education, noting that the program aims to address safety and accessibility "Being able to drive opens doors to jobs, school, and so many aspects of daily life," he said, the governor laid out the vision to ensure that more young individuals can secure their driving license, weaving a stronger thread into the fabric of their destinies; Lt. Governor Tressel, in his remarks, reinforced the notion that good driver education is the cornerstone of road safety, "Safe driving starts with access to strong driver education," Tressel highlighted, according to the official announcement. The grants are expected to cover the costs of required classroom education along with essential behind-the-wheel training.
The Drive to Succeed program, first launched in 2022 to assist teens from families who struggle with the financial load of driver's education, has already provided more than 5,100 scholarships. This third round of grants aims to be an even bolder push towards increased training opportunities.
The educational service centers entrusted with these funds include the East Central Ohio Educational Service Center, Fairfield County Educational Service Center, Midwest Regional Educational Service Center, and North Central Ohio Educational Service Center, each poised to receive a share of $1.5 million over the next two years to facilitate the scholarships, as specified by the gubernatorial release. These ESCs have a timeline of up to 150 days to roll out their respective scholarship programs, with the application process accessible through the Drive to Succeed 2026 webpage hosted on the Ohio Traffic Safety Office's site.
