MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, has announced the launch of Wisconsin’s new Driver Education Grant Program.

The program, funded by the 2023-25 biennial budget signed into law by Evers, aims to reduce barriers for low-income students to take driver education courses and become licensed drivers, while promoting safe driving and safer roads.

Last year, Evers signed 2023 Wisconsin Act 86 into law, creating a driver education grant program to pay the costs of driver education courses for certain low-income-eligible students at approved driver education providers.

Funded by $6 million set aside in the governor’s 2023-25 biennial budget, the program covers a driving school’s fees for 30 hours of classroom time, six hours of observation and six hours of behind-the-wheel driver training.

The tuition will be paid directly to the driving school. The funds will be made available to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until the available funds are depleted.

WisDOT’s Division of Motor Vehicles developed a streamlined process to deliver this program. Teens who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch can apply at https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/teen-driver/teen-sfty/degrant.aspx to have their classroom and behind-the-wheel driver training paid for by the state.

Students receiving grants may enroll in any driver education program offered by an authorized provider, such as a public school, CESA program, tribal or private school, or DMV-licensed driver training school. Enrolled students will receive a confirmation email with a coupon code they will then provide to the driver training school. The school enters the coupon number with the student record and the driving school will be reimbursed for the course fee.

WisDOT DMV’s Driver Training School Unit licenses and regulates commercial, for-profit driver training schools and instructors. DMV also ensures students younger than age 18 meet the state requirements of completing a driver education course and accumulating at least 50 hours of behind-the-wheel driving experience — with at least 10 hours after dark — before getting their licenses.