Driving

Photo ID Cards

Ohioans who are 17 years and older can now receive an ID card at no cost. For Ohioans who are 16 years and younger, an ID card will cost $10.00 for a 4-year and $19.00 for an 8-year. Here are some additional details.

Driver’s Education and License Barriers

The OHIO YAB and ACTION Ohio continue to work with state and federal allies to reduce barriers so that more current and former foster youth can complete driver’s education and obtain a driver’s license.

Two recent challenges have arisen in 2025:

  1. New Ohio Driver’s License Requirements
  2. Loss of TANF-Independent Living Funds

A draft One-Pager has been created to illustrate the challenge that comes from both of these changes happening at the same time.

Ohio Driver Training Scholarships

Governor DeWine recently announced $6 million in grant funding to help expand access to driver training in Ohio. As part of the Ohio Traffic Safety Office’s Drive to Succeed Program, four educational service centers (ESCs) in Ohio will receive funding to provide driver training scholarships to eligible new drivers under age 21.

The four ESCs have up to 150 days to launch their scholarship programs. Once the scholarship programs are active, students and young adults can visit Drive to Succeed 2026 | Ohio Traffic Safety Office to find the ESC serving their region and to begin the application process.

Proposed Federal Legislation

The federal Foster Youth and Driving Act was proposed in 2021 and is still pending at the time.

Ohio foster care youth and alumni previously reached out to two members of the federal Ways and Means Committee to ask them to co-sponsor this bill:

  • U.S. Representative Brad Wenstrup, whose district includes Cincinnati
  • U.S. Representative Mike Carey, whose district includes Columbus

Tools to support this effort:

Testimonies:

Previous Ohio Car Purchasing Program

In 2022, the state of Ohio facilitated a time-limited program whereby they helped ETV recipients buy their first car. The funding was to help those who did not own a car and relied on public transportation or friends to get to school and work. It was intended to help students navigate their responsibilities and achieve their personal, academic, and career goals.

  • Eligible students were Ohio ETV recipients currently enrolled in a postsecondary program
  • Funding was limited; financial assistance was offered on a first-come, first-served basis
  • The program was time-limited and assisted students with purchasing their first car between February 1 – September 30, 2022 (they ran out of funding prior to Sept. 30, due to high interest)
  • The funding was able to be used to help with the purchase of a car, and also for routine maintenance and ongoing insurance costs

In the words of one foster care alumni, “This is incredible. As a person whose first car had no air conditioning, windows that didn’t close, and a heating system made of blankets, because I needed be able to drive in order to earn my education degree, helping younger brothers and sisters be able to access this resource makes my heart happy.”