The voucher program is funded by a $62,483 grant from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).

A minimum of 40 students per school will have their path paid for, according to Frederick County Public Schools.

Maryland requires 30 hours of classroom instruction. Driving schools across the country switched to virtual classes during the COVID pandemic.

Many students across the state of Maryland still take the online classes, and some schools or locations don’t offer in-person classes.

Students are required to complete six hours of behind-the-wheel training, as well, which must be in person. While prices differ statewide, 36 hours of classes can cost between $350 and $650, according to Greg’s Driving School President Mary Moore.

For grant funding, MSDE required that participating schools have a student population with more than 40% eligible for free and reduced-price meals (FARM).

In 2025, 54.7% of students at Frederick High, 54.2% of students at Gov. Thomas Johnson High and 45.5% of students at Tuscarora High were FARM eligible, according to state data.

FCPS will be accepting bids from different driving schools to partner with.

The majority of the grant, $53,393, will go toward the cost of the course, which includes classroom hours and behind-the-wheel training. The cost of the learner’s permit was allocated $7,865 of the grant, and the remaining $1,225 will go toward indirect costs.

A Maryland non-commercial learner’s permit costs $50.

Afie Mirshah, the instructional director for high schools in FCPS, said in an interview that the school district can serve more students by partnering with businesses than by hosting its own program in a school.

“Let’s say we use the funds for the grant to uplift a program in a school,” she said. “We would only be able to really impact one school because if you’re talking about a teacher and equipment and setup; the funds would really only help one school.”

Mirshah said that depending on the cost of the final bid, 40 to 50 students per school could receive the voucher.

Students attending Frederick, Gov. Thomas Johnson or Tuscarora high schools who are academically eligible, who are not chronically absent or who don’t have “major” Code of Conduct violations can apply, according to the voucher application.

In FCPS, academically eligible means having at least a 2.0 GPA.

The application also says vouchers are first come, first served, and “vouchers will be prioritized for families where there are demonstrated hardships.”

Students have until Dec. 1 to apply, according to FCPS.

Mirshah said FCPS is tentatively expecting to recommend a contract to the school board around Dec. 11.

Mirshah said “in an ideal world, we could have kids starting in January,” depending on when FCPS hears back from companies and how many students the companies can take.

State of driver’s ed

Moore said in an interview that two weeks after the COVID pandemic shut everything down, Greg’s went virtual.

“It’s been a blessing,” she said.

Moore said teaching students who are deaf or hard of hearing has become easier since American Sign Language interpreters don’t need to travel to Greg’s dozens of locations statewide and can join classes virtually.

She added that young parents who are home with their children might struggle to go out every day to attend a three-hour class, and the virtual class makes it easier for them.

Moore said 99% of Greg’s classes are virtual.

“The [Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration] has some stringent rules. Students have to attend each day, and they have to be in the camera and participate,” she said. “Their camera has to be on, and the student has to be on-camera.”

Moore said the 36-hour program at Greg’s, which is both the classroom and behind-the-wheel training, is $440.

“Because there’s so many student drivers, this would be such an opportunity for them to gain independence, but they don’t have the money to take the program,” she said. “I think it’s wonderful because a lot of these kids don’t have the opportunity to take driver’s ed.”

School board meeting

The Frederick County Board of Education approved the grant at a meeting on Nov. 5. The grant did not obligate FCPS to spend additional funds.

School board member Jaime Brennan said her son has been learning to drive. She said while the online classes were easy to register for, scheduling the behind-the-wheel sessions has been difficult because of limited space.

Mirshah said in the interview that the school district “may need to pick more than one company” during the bid process to meet the needs of students, particularly with behind-the-wheel training.

Moore said that any students struggling to find a driving time can call Greg’s, and “we will find a spot for them.”

Moore added that the state recommends students practice with a parent or their coach in between each behind-the-wheel session.

Doreen Bass, a grants coordinator for FCPS, said at the meeting that they are assuming most students will opt for a virtual class.

Alex Thomas, the student member of the school board, said Tuscarora High School students were interested in the possibility of getting their license through the voucher program, then getting an internship or job.