Traffic safety education program offered for non English speakers in Ohio

The Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO), a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, announced July 11 that new educational resources now are available for diverse communities in Ohio to help English Language Learners become licensed drivers.

The curriculum and train-the-trainer program is intended to help non English speakers learn safe driving practices and prepare for the written and driving tests at the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), the release said.

It includes information on the requirements for obtaining a driver license in Ohio, the meanings of traffic signs and signals, and other basic traffic safety laws.

“Non English speakers who are new to Ohio may not fully understand the rules of the road, increasing their risk of being involved in a crash,” said Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson in the release. “Even the most basic driver education helps promote safe behaviors on our roads, benefitting all drivers in Ohio.”

A pilot program was first introduced at the Ohio Traffic Safety Office’s 2024 Ohio Traffic Safety Summit in Columbus and now is ready to be launched statewide, according to the release.

The training provides information for participants to share with English Language Learners or non English speaking adults that want to learn to drive in Ohio, the release said.

Trainings are conducted in English, and participants translate the material to share in their communities.

“Providing traffic safety education in multiple languages helps to remove some barriers for Ohio’s English Language Learners and integrate them into the community,” said Emily Davidson, executive director of the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, in the release. “We hope this new education program can help create a safer and more inclusive environment for all residents.”

It’s important to note that this curriculum does not replace driver education, and that those who present it in diverse language communities are not considered licensed driver training instructors in the state, the release said.

Teen drivers still are required to complete 24 hours of classroom instruction and eight hours of behind-the-wheel training at a licensed driver training school.

Adult drivers who fail the first attempt at the driving test at the BMV are required to complete the abbreviated adult program — which is four hours of classroom instruction and either four hours of behind the wheel training with a licensed instructor or 24 hours of driving practice with a licensed driver older than age of 21.

Resources are available on the Ohio Traffic Safety Office’s website for those interested in bringing this curriculum to their community.

The curriculum outline, PowerPoint slides, resource guide, and other training aids are available free of charge to anyone that requests them.

This announcement follows a number of initiatives by Ohio Traffic Safety Office to strengthen driver education, including nearly $2.5 million in grants to fund driver training scholarships to eligible teens in 42 counties, the release said.

Earlier this year, $4.5 million in funding was awarded through the new Creating Opportunities for Driver Education (CODE) Grant program that supports the expansion of driver training options in underserved areas, the release said.