OTSO Announces Grants Aimed at Expanding Access to Teen Driver Training

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – The Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO), a division of The Ohio Department of Public Safety, announced today approximately $2.5 million in funding is now available to expand access to teen driver training for low-income Ohio families through the “Drive to Succeed” scholarship program.

Administered by OTSO and available via grants to local agencies, teens selected for a scholarship by a grantee agency would attend licensed driver training schools in their area at little to no cost.

Funding to establish these community-based scholarships will be awarded to local agencies through a competitive grant process. Local government agencies, such as police departments, sheriffs’ offices, health departments, educational service centers, school districts, career technical schools, and others may apply for funding.

“Driver training is more than just a necessary step for licensure for teen drivers,” said Emily Davidson, Executive Director of The Ohio Traffic Safety Office. “Young drivers learn and practice the essential skills needed to navigate our roads safely, reducing their risk of being involved in a crash.”

Last year, around 91,000 teens in Ohio completed a driver training course through a licensed driver training school. Ohio’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system ensures 16-and-17-year-old drivers gain experience gradually, starting in lower-risk situations, before obtaining full licensure. Data shows that drivers licensed at age 18, who were exempt from GDL requirements, have the highest crash rates in the first year of licensure among Ohioans licensed under the age of 25.

In 2023, 25 agencies received a total of $575,000 as part of the first “Drive to Succeed” grants, making driver education accessible to hundreds of students who otherwise wouldn’t have had the means to complete classroom and behind-the-wheel training.

Agencies that are interested in receiving a grant must submit their proposals before March 15th, 2024.

The complete grant proposal and guidelines can be found online at: https://otso.ohio.gov/grants/driver-training-grants/drive-to-succeed

This announcement follows a number of traffic safety initiatives for young drivers announced by The Ohio Traffic Safety Office, including over $4.5 million in funding through the new Creating Opportunities for Driver Education (CODE) Grant program that supports the expansion of driver training options in underserved areas.

As a division within the Ohio Department of Public Safety, OTSO’s mission is to save lives and reduce injuries on Ohio’s roads through creative leadership, innovative education and comprehensive enforcement programs. OTSO strives to work in partnership with local, state and federal entities to advance equity in highway safety programs, ensuring they benefit all road users in Ohio. For Federal Fiscal Year 2024, OTSO awarded over $23 million for statewide programming to improve traffic safety and reduce traffic-related fatalities.