LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - Governor Mike DeWine signed the state operating budget into law on June 30. As part of the new budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, Ohioans under the age of 21 will now be required to complete a driver’s training course before obtaining a license.
Currently, driver’s education is only mandatory for 16- and 17-year-olds, but not for those 18 and older. According to the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, 58% of fatal crashes caused by teen drivers last year involved 18- and 19-year-olds. DeWine emphasized that the new requirement aims to improve safety for all Ohioans.
"We see it with young people who no longer take Driver's Ed. at 15 and-a-half or 16, they just wait. There's reasons why they wait. It's because of cost sometimes, it's because of convenience sometimes. We know that somebody who's had drivers training is statistically a better driver, and we know that they're less likely to kill somebody or kill themselves," said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.
While lawmakers removed a proposal from DeWine to reinstate driver's education in schools, the state will require school districts to excuse high school students who take a private driving course.
