CAMBRIDGE, Ohio (AVC News) — Cambridge High School is again offering free driver’s education to eligible students, with grant funding and district support covering the cost of instruction for qualifying participants.
Last school year, a grant obtained through the East Central Ohio Educational Service Center paid for more than 60 students to complete online driver education, receive behind-the-wheel instruction and earn their licenses.
The funding also allowed Cambridge City Schools to purchase and modify a vehicle for driver training and cover instructor expenses and other program costs.
This year, students younger than 21 may qualify for full funding through the Ohio Traffic Safety Office’s Drive to Succeed program. To be eligible, students must have obtained an Ohio temporary driving permit and provide proof of SNAP, WIC, Medicare or Summer EBT eligibility within the past 12 months.
For students who do not qualify for the state grant, the district has secured funding to cover the $350 behind-the-wheel portion of the program for the first 30 students who meet all requirements. Those students will remain responsible for the $50 online driver education course.
Cambridge High School Principal Jeff Wheeler said the program is intended to help students who might otherwise lack the resources to obtain a driver’s license. Holding instruction during the school day also reduces the need for families and students to arrange lessons around after-school activities.
Students must be at least 15 years and six months old to obtain a temporary permit. Those younger than 18 must have a parent, legal guardian or responsible co-signer accompany them to sign the application and provide identification.
Applicants must study the Digest of Ohio Motor Laws, pass a vision screening and complete a 40-question knowledge test with a score of at least 75%. The test is available online through Know to Drive Ohio.
Students also must provide proof of identity, date of birth, Social Security number and Ohio residency at a deputy registrar license agency. The temporary permit must be purchased within 60 days of passing the knowledge test. The cost is approximately $23.59.
To apply for the Drive to Succeed grant, students should visit www.ecoesc.org, select the Driver Education tab and follow the link to www.drivetosucceed.org. Applicants can then select “Apply Now” and complete the application.
Students approved for the grant will have both the $50 online course and the $350 driving portion covered.
Before participating in behind-the-wheel instruction, students must provide a copy of their temporary permit, complete a driver training course and submit an Ohio-licensed driver training school certificate, a CHS driver education permission slip and a 50-hour affidavit form.
Students also must provide a supervised driving log documenting at least 50 hours of driving, including 10 hours at night. Once all requirements are completed, the eight hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with an instructor will be scheduled.
Wheeler encouraged students who do not qualify for the grant to submit their applications as soon as possible because district funding is limited to the first 30 eligible students.
Last Updated on November 3, 2026 by AVC News
