The newly signed state budget requires Ohioans under 21 to take driver鈥檚 education training before getting a driver's license.
Right now, driver鈥檚 ed is required for 16- and 17-year-olds, but not for anyone over 18. A provision in the newly signed budget includes a provision that requires anyone under 21 to get that training before taking the test.
Gov. Mike DeWine had wanted to bring driver's ed back to high schools, but lawmakers took out his proposed funding for that.
鈥淲e have so many young people turning 18, never taking driver鈥檚 training, they go in and ultimately after many failures, pass. Not acceptable," DeWine said.
鈥淲e know that young people who go through driver鈥檚 training become safer drivers鈥攕afer for themselves and everyone else on the road. And that鈥檚 not just true for young people. It鈥檚 true for adults," DeWine said. "This not only protects young drivers; it also protects everyone, our streets and our highways."
Last year, 58% of fatal crashes caused by a teen driver involved 18- and 19-year-olds, according to the .
DeWine said the budget continues the grants that were made available in the previous budget to help low-income students get this training.