What is the Drive to Succeed Program?

The Ohio Department of Public Safety's Office of Traffic Safety (ODPS/OTSO) promotes traffic safety messaging, research, and programming across Ohio to reduce traffic-related fatalities and injuries. As part of this mission, ODPS/OTSO created the Drive to Succeed program to help remove financial barriers to driver training for Ohio youth.

Car graphic representing the Drive to Succeed program

ABOUT DTS

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WHY DRIVER TRAINING MATTERS

Recent research from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia shows a strong connection between formal driver training and reduced crash rates for new drivers. According to the study:

Ohio teens who earned their license at age 16 or 17 were more likely to pass their driver exam on the first attempt.
These teens were also less likely to be involved in an injury crash during their first year of licensure compared to those licensed at age 18 or 19, when driver training is no longer required.

BENEFITS FOR YOUTH AND COMMUNITIES

Driver training provides more than safety benefits—it also creates economic and social opportunities. For many youth ages 16–20, earning a license unlocks access to employment and education. Communities have also used driver training access as a strategy to reduce unlicensed driving and related violations, including fleeing law enforcement due to not being licensed.

ADDRESSING FINANCIAL BARRIERS

In Ohio, teen driver training typically costs between $400–$900, which can be a substantial barrier for low-income families. The Drive to Succeed program helps ensure financial hardship does not prevent youth from accessing driver education by providing scholarships through approved grantees across the state.

PROGRAM IMPACT

By expanding access to driver training, the Drive to Succeed program strengthens youth independence, supports community safety, and helps reduce unlicensed driving across Ohio. The program is designed to ensure that every eligible young person—regardless of income—has the opportunity to become a safe, successful, and licensed driver.

Who is eligible for the scholarship?

The Drive to Succeed program offers scholarships to eligible Ohio youth ages 15½–20 to help cover the cost of an approved driver education course. Scholarships are paid directly to driving schools and can not be used to reimburse students for the cost of driver education. Driving school must be selected from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office's list of approved providers. Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis to eligible applicants.

APPLICATION CRITERIA

To qualify for a Drive to Succeed scholarship, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

15½ to 20 years old
Resident of the State of Ohio
Possess a valid Ohio temporary driving permit
Demonstrate financial need by providing proof of SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, or Summer EBT eligibility dated within the past 12 months.
Sign a provided agreement accepting the scholarship and committing to completing the driver education course at the selected school
Complete a pre-enrollment survey provided as part of the program.

Parent/Guardian must meet all of the following requirements (for applicants under age 18):

Complete the ODPS/OTSO online Parent Orientation Course
Submit the certificate of completion for the Parent Orientation Course (for applicants under age 18)
Sign a provided agreement accepting the scholarship and committing to completing the driver education course at the requested school

HOW DO I APPLY?

You will need to provide, during the application process:

Student's first and last name
Student's address
Student's email and phone number
Student's date of birth
Student's school district and county of residence
Student's permit number (2 letters and 6 numbers)
Parent/guardian's first and last name (for applicants under age 18)
Parent/guardian's phone number (for applicants under age 18)
Proof of SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, or Summer EBT eligibility dated within the last 12 months
Picture of valid permit

After your application has been reviewed, you will be additionally required to:

Provide the name of the driver's education provider of your choice from the list of approved providers by the Ohio Traffic Safety Office.
Sign an agreement accepting the scholarship and committing to completing driver's education at the school of your choice from the list of approved providers.
Complete a pre-enrollment survey
Submit a Certificate of Completion for ODPS/OTSO's online Parent Orientation course (for applicants under age 18).

DTS PARTNERSHIPS

The Drive To Succeed website has been designed in partnership with East Central Ohio Educational Service Center and Midwest Regional Educational Service Center. Funds for scholarships have been provided by the Ohio Department of Public Safety. Read More