COLUMBUS — The Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) announced the launch of two new programs to support driving schools across Ohio in recruiting and training new instructors. The Instructor Development Grant and New Instructor Incentive are designed to increase capacity at licensed driving schools as a new law takes effect Sept. 30 requiring new drivers under age 21 to complete driver education before getting a license.
Through the Instructor Development Grant, eligible driving schools can apply to become one of up to six regional training centers to conduct instructor training and assessments on behalf of other driving schools. Training centers will be reimbursed up to $1,500 for each instructor trained.
In addition to the grant, OTSO will also pay new Class D driving instructors a one-time $1,500 bonus once their instructor license is issued and they actively train students for three months. This New Instructor Incentive will be available for a limited time from Jan. 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026. OTSO is dedicating $1 million to instructor development through the grant and instructor incentive over the coming year.
“Safe driving starts with quality education at a young age,” said Emily Davidson, OTSO Director. “The Instructor Development Grant and New Instructor Incentive gives driving schools the tools they need to prepare more instructors, so every new driver has access to the training that will help keep our roads safe for everyone.”
Licensed Driving Schools that wish to receive an Instructor Development Grant must submit their application by noon on Oct. 31, 2025. The complete grant proposal, eligibility requirements, and grant guidelines can be found on OTSO’s website at this link: Instructor Development Grants | Ohio Traffic Safety Office
Newly licensed Class D instructors whose instructor applications were approved after Sept. 25, 2025 must 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 this link: Instructor Incentive Program | Ohio Traffic Safety Office
This announcement follows a number of traffic safety initiatives for young drivers, including scholarships for young drivers from low-income families to enroll in driver training. About $6 million will be awarded to Ohio Educational Service Centers (ESCs) through the “Drive to Succeed” program in the coming weeks, which is being expanded to include new drivers up through age 20.
