New program aims to expand access to driver education courses for low-income Wisconsin teens

Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) last week announced the launch of Wisconsin’s new Driver Education Grant Program.
A release from Evers’ office said the program “aims to reduce barriers for low-income students to take driver education courses and become licensed drivers, while promoting safe driving and safer roads.”
Last year, Evers signed 2023 Wisconsin Act 86 into law, creating a driver education grant program to pay the costs of driver education courses for certain low-income eligible students at approved driver education providers. Funded by $6 million set aside in the governor’s 2023-25 biennial budget, the program covers a driving school’s fees for 30 hours of classroom time, 6 hours of observation, and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel driver training, according to the release.
The release said the tuition will be paid directly to the driving school. The funds will be made available to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until the available funds are depleted.
“WisDOT’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) developed a streamlined process to deliver this program,” the release said.
Teens who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch can apply to have their classroom and behind-the-wheel driver training paid for by the state, according to the release. Students receiving grants may enroll in any driver education program offered by an authorized provider, such as a public school, CESA program, Tribal or private school, or DMV-licensed driver training school.
Enrolled students will receive a confirmation email with a coupon code that they will then provide to the driver training school. The school enters the coupon number with the student record, and the driving school will be reimbursed for the course fee.
“Expanding access to driver education for students across the state makes our kids and drivers safer, our streets safer, and our communities safer,” Evers said. “Tackling reckless and dangerous driving across our state has been an important priority for our administration, and I’m glad it’s an issue that finally received bipartisan attention and support last session. This program will help take the financial burden out of providing kids with quality driver education for low-income families and ensure we are setting them up for success by becoming licensed drivers.”
“Affordable driver training is a tool in our toolbox to help us improve safety on our roads,” said WisDOT Deputy Secretary Kristina Boardman. “This innovative program gives more of our young people the vital education they need to become safe drivers. We’ve made the enrollment process easy for the student and straightforward for the authorized driver training provider.”