AUSTIN, Texas — Texas advocates want driving schools and the youth to be aware of a new program that provides driver’s education for free.
It’s called the Driver Education Funding Program and it’s run and funded by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). The program has been in the works for years and falls under legislation passed in 2021.
The goal is to give some freedom on the road to youth who are experiencing homelessness, abuse or who are in a foster care system.
TWC will cover the costs of driver education classes, road tests and any service needed to obtain a license. The eligibility, according to TWC’s website, is as followed:
- You’re younger than 18 years old and residing in foster care now
- You’re at least 18 years old, but younger than 21, in foster care being paid for by the Department of Family and Protective Services
- You experienced dating violence or you’re a child of someone who experienced dating violence
- You experienced family violence or you are a child of someone who experienced family violence
- You are younger than 26 years old and aged out of the Texas Foster Care system or have experienced homelessness
- You’re younger than 26 years old and have experienced or are experiencing homelessness
Martin Martinez, a senior policy analyst with Texas Appleseed, said he and his colleagues advocated for the program and are currently working with driving schools and youth service providers across the state to raise awareness.
“I think having a driver’s license is something that a lot of people take for granted, and I think it’s easy to forget how important it is living in a state like Texas where having a car is critical,” Martinez said. “Financial barriers should not keep kids from having access to resources that they need to become self-sufficient.”
Driving schools can sign up as vendors and get paid to participate in the program.
The CEO of Travis Driving School said costs can range from $400 to $600 for driving lessons, and they called the program a great opportunity to give back.
Franky Cook, a high school senior in San Antonio, told KVUE he learned of the program through his social worker, and that he’s grateful for the resource.
“I wouldn’t have paid for it on my own and it would have took me a lot longer to like start to get my license and that would suck because I’m going to college next year, so this program’s really helping me,” Cook said.
Anyone who is eligible can apply on TWC’s website.