Wisconsin Launches Driver Education Grant Program to Promote Safe Driving

Strategic Insights -

Governor Tony Evers has announced the launch of the Wisconsin Driver Education Grant Program, which provides financial assistance to income-eligible students to take driver education courses and become safe, licensed drivers. The program is funded by the 2025-27 biennial budget and aims to combat reckless driving across the state. The grant program will cover tuition costs for coursework and behind-the-wheel training for eligible students.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Wisconsin Driver Education Grant Program provides financial assistance to income-eligible students to take driver education courses and become safe, licensed drivers.
  • The program is funded by the 2025-27 biennial budget and aims to combat reckless driving across the state.
  • The grant program will cover tuition costs for 30 hours of classroom coursework, six hours of observation, and six hours of behind-the-wheel training for eligible students.
  • Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch through the National School Lunch Program, have not previously held a driver's license, and who are between 14.5 and 19 years old may apply for the program.
  • The program has already helped thousands of students learn to become safe, licensed drivers, and over $6 million in grants have been provided to more than 10,000 students since the program's launch in September 2024.
  • The program was created by Governor Evers in the 2023-25 Biennial Budget and has been renewed with a permanent allocation of $6 million in grants each year.

Statistics:

  • Over $6 million in grants have been provided to more than 10,000 students since the program's launch in September 2024.
  • The program provides grants to cover tuition costs for 30 hours of classroom coursework, six hours of observation, and six hours of behind-the-wheel training for eligible students.
  • The grant program is funded by the 2025-27 biennial budget, with an initial phase of $1.5 million in grants to be delivered in the first quarter of 2025.
  • The program aims to promote safe driving and reduce driver training barriers for families, with the goal of making Wisconsin's roads safer.

Sources:

  • "Gov. Evers Announces Launch of Wisconsin Driver Education Grant Program." Office of the Governor of Wisconsin.
  • "Wisconsin Driver Education Grant Program." Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
  • "2025-27 Biennial Budget." Wisconsin State Legislature.
  • "Sustainable Transportation Funding." Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
  • "Governor Evers Signs 2025-27 Biennial Budget." Office of the Governor of Wisconsin.