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Now Hiring for Job Positions throughout Central Ohio
The ESC is now hiring for educator positions, including intervention specialists, teaching assistants, and more in schools throughout the Central Ohio region - some of which now include a $1500 hiring incentive. For more information regarding incentive eligibility, please see here.

Drive To Succeed

Drive to Succeed is a state grant program of the Department of Public Safety's Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) aiming to expand access to teen driver training. Recent OTSO research has, for the first time in Ohio, provided data that indicates a correlation between youth who complete driver training and obtain their license before they turn 18 and their crash outcomes within the first year of licensure. With the knowledge that driver training plays a crucial role in creating safer new drivers, OTSO is focused on helping more young drivers obtain driver training by making it more accessible. 

The ESC of Central Ohio applied for a grant and was awarded funds to provide scholarships for eligible students to take driver’s education at Schwartz Driving School. Scholarship applicants must be students in the Canal Winchester Local School District or Hilliard City School District. 

What is Included?

The program provides a scholarship for students to enroll and complete a high-quality driver's education and training program through Schwartz Driving School. With a mission to promote safe and responsible driving practices, the driving school offers comprehensive courses designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to become confident and capable drivers.

The courses include:
  • 24-hour online driving course (no more than 4 hours per day)
  • 8 hours of in-car driving instruction with a certified instructor
  • Certificate of completion

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the state of Ohio require for a driver’s license?
  • The State of Ohio requires everyone under the age of 18 to take 24 hours of classroom driving lessons and 8 hours of driving. 
When can I start the class?
  • You must be at least 15 years and 5 months old to start classes.
Am I eligible for this grant opportunity?
  • In order to qualify for the grant, you must meet the following: 
    • Free and reduced price meal eligible
    • Minimum GPA of 2.0
    • No more than five unexcused absences per semester
How much will the course cost me?
  • $25.00
How and who do I pay?
  • Please check your specific district/school tab below.
Does this course expire?
  • Yes. Once you register, you will have 180 days to complete the course before it expires.
Are the instructors licensed?
  • The State of Ohio requires instructors complete a 40-hour course of instruction. The State also checks all instructor's driving records and fingerprints for any criminal record. Most of our instructors are college graduates and also have other teaching certificates from the State Board of Education.
Do you have to take all six classes in a row?
  • No. All classes are independent of each other so you can make your own schedule. It is required that each student attend and complete all six driving lesson classes.
How much time do I have to complete the course?
  • Six months from the first day of class.
Is this the only thing I need to get a driver's license in Ohio?
  • No. In order to apply for your first driver's license, you also will need to complete eight hours of driver training with a certified instructor, and 50 hours (at least 10 at night) of behind the wheel training with a parent/guardian.
Is this the course to get my Ohio learner's permit?
  • You do not need to take a course to obtain a learner's permit, also known as a Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card (TIPIC). Our Permit Prep course can help prepare you for the written permit exam, and our Driver Education course satisfies the requirements for obtaining your first Ohio driver's license.
When will I receive my Certificate of Completion?
  • After you have completed your driver's education course, your official Certificate of Completion will be sent electronically via email. 
My parent does not have a driver's license. Can I complete the 50 Hour Driving Practice requirement with him/her in the car?
  • The adult in the car MUST have a valid license.
My older sibling has a license; can I complete the 50 Hour Driving Practice requirement with him/her in the car?
  • The adult in the car must be at least 21 years of age. If your sibling has a license and is over 21, you may practice with him/her in the car.
Once I complete the course, and the eight-hour and 50-hour driving training requirements, can I get my license?
  • Once you've completed all of your training and practice requirements, you will need to go to a BMV location with a Driver Exam Station and pass a vision exam, written exam, and the two-part road test in order to apply for your Ohio driver's license.
Can I just walk into an Ohio BMV for the road test?
  • It is best to make an appointment so that you don't end up waiting a long time. Appointments can be made on the Ohio BMV website.
I wear glasses and/or contacts, am I going to fail the vision exam?
  • You can wear corrective lenses during the exam if you need them, and it will be noted on your license that you must wear corrective lenses while driving.
How does the Ohio BMV know that I actually completed the 50 hours of driving practice with an adult?
  • The adult who oversaw your driving practice must fill out a 50-hour affidavit. Falsifying this document is punishable by fine and/or jail time. It is in your best interest to practice as much as possible with a responsible adult in the car, so it is not advisable to falsify your driving practice time. Chances are you will not pass the road test without adequate practice as well.
Once I meet all the requirements, will my driver's license be the same as any other adult license?
  • Sixteen- and 17-year-olds in the state of Ohio are given probationary licenses which come with some restrictions.
Once I get my license, can I start driving all my friends around?
  • Drivers 16 years of age can only drive with one person under the age of 21 who is not a family member in the vehicle. Once you are 17 this rule no longer applies.
Who is considered a "family member" and can be in the car with me?
  • The state of Ohio considers the following to be family members: parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, parent-in-laws, sibling-in-laws, step parents, step siblings, half siblings, spouse, child, and step child.
Can I drive any time of day once I get my license?
  • Drivers who are 16 years of age cannot drive between 12:00am midnight and 6:00am, unless accompanied by an adult. Drivers who are 17 years of age cannot drive between 1:00 am and 5:00 am, unless accompanied by an adult or unless they are driving to/from school or work.
What happens if I get a ticket with a probationary license?
  • If you are given a ticket for a moving violation within 6 months of earning your license, you will no longer be allowed to drive without a licensed adult in the car for a 6 month period, or until you turn 17 (whichever comes first). Other traffic infractions or drinking-related offenses can come with harsher penalties.
Who is my contact person if I have additional concerns or questions?
  • Please check your specific district/school tab below.
How to Apply | Step-by-Step 
(see schools below)

Canal Winchester Schools | Students & Families

  • STEP 1  | Check eligibility requirements:
    • Eligible for free and reduced-price meals
    • Minimum GPA of 2.0
    • No more than five unexcused absences per semester
  • STEP 2  | If you feel you meet the eligibility requirements, verify them with Mr. Paulauskas (CWHS Assistant Principal) and obtain an application.
  • STEP 3  | Complete the application and pay the $25 non-refundable fee to Canal Winchester Local Schools to participate in the Program.
    • Credit card: Visit https://payschoolscentral.com/. If you're new to PaySchool, you will need to set up an account.
    • Cash or check: See Mrs. Hummel in the main high school office.
    • Submit application to your assigned school counselor with proof of $25 payment (PaySchool or office receipt). Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • STEP 4  | Await notification of acceptance for program scholarship, complete Enrollment Survey (Pre-Survey), and receive a voucher for driver's education tuition.
  • STEP 5  | Consider obtaining a temporary driver's permit (not covered by the scholarship program).
  • STEP 6  | Complete the driver’s training course (online and in-car) within 6 months of applying and complete the Completion Survey (Post-Survey).
  • STEP 7  | Complete 50 hours (10 at night) of behind-the-wheel training with a parent/guardian.
  • STEP 8  | Schedule an appointment with the Ohio BMW for your driving test.
  • STEP 9  | Pass all parts of the driving test (vision exam, written exam and two-part road test).
  • STEP 10 | Receive your Ohio driver's license and safely travel the streets!

Hilliard Schools | Students & Families

  • STEP 1 | Check eligibility requirements:
    • Eligible for free and reduced-price meals
    • Minimum GPA of 2.0
    • No more than five unexcused absences per semester
  • STEP 2 | If you feel you meet the eligibility requirements, verify them with:
    •  Mr. Walton at Bradley High School; 
    • Mr. Anderson at Darby High School; or 
    • Mr. Faska at Davidson High School (Assistant Principal) and obtain an application.
  • STEP 3 | Complete the application and pay the $25 non-refundable fee to Hilliard City Schools to participate in the Program.
    • Credit card: Visit https://www.mypaymentsplus.com. If you're new to MyPaymentsPlus, you will need to set up an account.
    • Submit application to your assigned school counselor with proof of $25 payment (MyPaymentsPlus or office receipt). Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • STEP 4 | Await notification of acceptance for program scholarship, complete Enrollment Survey (Pre-Survey), and receive a voucher for driver's education tuition.
  • STEP 5 | Consider obtaining a temporary driver's permit (not covered by the scholarship program).
  • STEP 6 | Complete the driver’s training course (online and in-car) within 6 months of applying and complete the Completion Survey (Post-Survey).
  • STEP 7 | Complete 50 hours (10 at night) of behind-the-wheel training with a parent/guardian.
  • STEP 8 | Schedule an appointment with the Ohio BMW for your driving test.
  • STEP 9 | Pass all parts of the driving test (vision exam, written exam and two-part road test).
  • STEP 10 | Receive your Ohio driver's license and safely travel the streets!



Contact Us

For more information regarding the ESC's Drive To Succeed program, please contact [email protected].