Five Driving Schools Selected for Instructor Development Grant

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO), a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, today announced the five driving schools selected to receive Instructor Development Grants. This funding is a new initiative from OTSO aimed at expanding access to driver education across the state by supporting the training of new driving instructors.

The following schools will be awarded grants and serve as regional training centers for new driving instructors:

• Region 1 – Capabilities, LLC (St. Marys)
• Region 2 – Inspired Driving Academy (Lewis Center)
• Region 3 – East Central Ohio Educational Service Center (Saint Clairsville)
• Region 4 – Champion City Drivers Ed (Springfield)
• Region 5 – MOV ESC Driving School (Cambridge)

These training centers will begin offering instructor training for new Class D driving instructors in their respective regions. Each center will be reimbursed up to $1,500 for each instructor trained, based on the type of training provided.

“These five training centers will play a critical role in preparing the next generation of driving instructors,” said OTSO Director Emily Davidson. “By expanding access to instructor training, we’re helping ensure that every new driver in Ohio receives the education they need to stay safe on the road.”

The Instructor Development Grant is part of a $1 million investment in instructor development, which supports driving schools in recruiting and training instructors to meet increased demand for driver education. A new law that took effect on September 30, 2025, requires all new drivers under age 21 to complete driver education before obtaining a license.

In addition to the grant, OTSO is offering a one-time $1,500 New Instructor Incentive to newly licensed Class D instructors who actively train students for three months. The incentive program runs from January 1 to June 30, 2026.

New instructors whose applications were approved after Sept. 25, 2025,ust fill out the webform on the OTSO website after they have trained students for three months in order to receive their bonus. Eligibility information is available at Instructor Incentive Program | Ohio Traffic Safety Office

For more information on the Instructor Development Grant and New Instructor Incentive, visit otso.ohio.gov.

This announcement follows a number of traffic safety initiatives for young drivers announced by Governor Mike DeWine, including scholarships for young drivers from low-income families to enroll in driver training. In October, the state awarded about $6 million to four Ohio Educational Service Centers (ESCs) through the “Drive to Succeed” program, which has been expanded to include new drivers up through age 20.