COLUMBUS — Free hands-on driver skills training is returning this summer for teen drivers in Ohio to practice crash avoidance techniques and gain the experience necessary to become safer drivers. For the second year in a row, the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) is partnering with three Advanced Driver Training programs to increase access to these specially designed classes that address the leading causes of teen crashes. Advanced Driver Training programs allow students to practice skid recovery, anti-lock braking system (ABS) exercises and other skills with a licensed instructor on a closed course.
The Advanced Driver Training summer series is planned to coincide with the “100 deadliest days” – the time period between Memorial Day and Labor Day that is known for a spike in traffic fatalities, especially for teen drivers.
- In 2024, there were 90 fatal youth-related crashes in Ohio during the “100 deadliest days”.
- The top contributing circumstances in fatal and serious injury crashes where a 15-23 year old driver is at fault are: driving off the road, failure to yield, and unsafe speed.
OTSO will work with Ohio-based Advanced Driver Training providers DriveTeam and Professional Driving Systems to conduct four events in June. The Ford Philanthropy’s award-winning Ford Driving Skills for Life is once again returning to Ohio for two more events in August and September. Newly licensed drivers or teens with a valid temporary permit are welcome to participate in one of these free sessions.
Last summer, OTSO partnered with the same three providers for the first summer series. A total of 760 teen drivers completed this advanced training at eight events across Ohio. Many of the teens who participated otherwise would not have had access to advanced driver training.
The 2025 Advanced Driver Training summer series begins June 7 at Owens Community College in Wood County with Professional Driving Systems hosting two sessions per day.
| DATE | LOCATION |
| June 7-8 | Owens Community College Wood County |
| June 10-11 | Apollo Career Center Allen County |
| June 11-12 | Clark County Fairgrounds Springfield |
| June 24-25 | Ohio University Zanesville Muskingum County |
| August 9-10 | IX Center – Cleveland Cuyahoga County |
| September TBD | Manheim Cincinnati Butler County |
Parents can register their teens for a session at one of these events by following the link on the calendar on OTSO’s Advanced Driver Training resource web page. Registration is not open yet for the Ford Driving Skills for Life events in August in September. Parents can sign up on the Ford Driving Skills for Life website to get notified when registration is open for these events.