MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Wisconsin Department of Transportation released $1.5 million Monday, Aug. 25 for driver education grants, with additional funding to be distributed quarterly, according to a Monday press release from Common Ground, a Milwaukee-based advocacy group.

The Driver Education Grant Program, created by bipartisan legislation signed in Dec. 2023, provides $6 million annually for low-income high school students to cover classroom and behind-the-wheel training. Tuition is paid directly to driving schools.

Common Ground announced the allocation has now been made permanent.

Officials said about 10,000 students have already benefited. They also noted that some of the goals of driving accessibility include improving access to employment and educational opportunities, a lower risk of conflict with police, having identification to vote and increasing equal jury representation.

A 2016 UWM study found 30% of African American and Hispanic 18-year-olds held licenses in Wisconsin compared to 75% of white students, with this money being aimed at reducing such disparities.