Michigan used to have a fund that helped pay for districts to offer driver’s ed options. It went away in 2004.
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says fewer students are taking driver’s training as a result.
“Privatizing driver’s education as we’ve done didn’t lead to higher quality services, it didn’t lead to cheaper options, it didn’t make more convenient options for teens and families. It actually forced families to pay out of pocket for driver’s training and, especially now, a lot of people can’t afford it.”
A couple of years ago, lawmakers funded a pilot program that allowed Dearborn and Wayne-Westland schools to offer drivers training to qualifying students.
That funding is set to run out if lawmakers don't renew it or take it statewide.
