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.
You can apply if you can say YES to all of these:
These are the rules most people miss. Please read all of them.
We cannot pay for a class you already started or finished. You must apply and get your award email BEFORE starting.
If you already finished any driver's ed course — including an ONLINE course — you are not eligible.
Type your email carefully. Everything is sent there, usually within 7 business days. Check your spam folder too.
You must begin your class within 30 days of getting your award.
ONLINE class: finish within 4 months.
IN-PERSON class: finish within 12 months.
Once you pick a driving school, you cannot change to a different one.
Find your county on the map, or pick it from the list.
Follow these in order.
Get your papers ready first:
After you get your award email:
The form and survey links are in your award email.
Approved Schools ListWe pay the driving school directly. You do not pay us back.
When you finish your class:
Certificate upload instructions are in your award email.
Take the Post SurveyClick the buttons below to learn more about DTS
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
To qualify for a Drive to Succeed scholarship, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
Parent/Guardian must meet all of the following requirements (for applicants under age 18):
You will need to provide, during the application process:
After your application has been reviewed, you will be additionally required to:
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
Contact: trudy.lewis@ecoesc.org
Contact: drivetosucceed@mresc.org
