Be prepared for new Under 21 driver training requirements

Get ready. At the end of this month, Ohio drivers aged 18, 19 and 20 will be required to take an approved driver training course and complete 50 hours of driving practice supervised by a licensed adult to get their driver's license. This is training that is already in effect for those 16 or 17 years old, but it may come as a surprise to older new drivers unfamiliar with the "Class D" training, which must be completed before a driving test can be scheduled. Gov. Mike DeWine has been working to find ways to improve driver safety in Ohio. "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," he said in discussing the changes. But finding (and affording) courses can be a challenge. Agencies that have received the Drive to Succeed grants might be able to help, and it's worth checking whether local government agencies such as police department, sheriffs' offices, health departments, public school districts, educational service centers and others have scholarships available to help cover the costs. Don't let this change catch you off guard. Find out more at otso.ohio.gov/programs/ohio-driver-training/for-drivers/under-21-driver-training/under-21-driver-training. While it may feel inconvenient, this is an important step toward improving safety not just for new drivers, but for everyone on the road. Start figuring out how to meet the requirement, now. Ogden Newspapers