(The Center Square) – Ohio plans to spend nearly $2.5 million in taxpayer money to teach low-income teenagers how to drive.

The Drive to Succeed Scholarship Program handed out grants to 35 school districts and government agencies to provide driver training scholarships to eligible teen drivers across the state.

The program began in 2022 to help teenage drivers whose families can’t afford the cost of a driving school. The money is expected to help 5,500 students in 43 counties.

It’s the second round of funding. The first covered 25 local agencies with $575,000.

“This program is already helping hundreds of teens learn skills to be safer drivers, and we are happy to help even more young people receive driver training,” Gov Mike DeWine said. “When young drivers know the strategies to stay safe on the roads, the roads are safer for everyone.”

The Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio, covering Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties, received the largest grant, $227,200.

Combined, the Toledo Public Schools and Washington Local Schools, both in Lucas County, received $245,000. Also, The Grove City Police Department, Educational Service Center of Central Ohio, Southwestern City Schools and the Whitehall Police Department – all in Franklin County – received nearly $264,000.

The Knox County Health Department in north central Ohio received the largest grant covering one county for one government agency at $142,000.

“We know about half of Ohio teens obtain their driver’s license before they turn 18 which means they completed the mandatory requirements for licensure under Ohio law,” Andy Wilson, director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, said. “But the other half who wait to get licensed are more likely to be involved in a crash in the first year they have a license. This is proof that driver training makes a difference.”