License to the Future
Providing equal access to all young drivers for quality drivers education training.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, young drivers 16 to 19 are at a greater risk of motor vehicle crashes than any other age group. A quality driver training class can help, but courses can be expensive these days – between $200 and $400 in many states.
Applications are accepted from all 50 states and Canada. Rooted in the foundation’s charitable purpose of shaping the future of car culture while celebrating our automotive past, the Hagerty Drivers Foundation will provide $150,000 in grants in 2024 to students seeking formal training through an accredited drivers training program.
Due to an unprecedented number of applicants applying within the first week of the grant window, License to the Future is now closed for this quarter!
Each quarter the Hagerty Drivers Foundation has funding for approximately 75 students. We have received over 175 applications since opening the fourth quarter 2024 grant window. We are thrilled to see the interest of the next generation to get behind the wheel!
Pending applications are currently under review. If you have already applied, you will be notified of your grant status via email as we process all applications.
How to apply and guidelines
Hagerty Drivers Foundation provides grants up to $500 to young drivers between the ages of 14 and 18- years-old who plan to complete their Drivers Education within 90 days of their application.
Grants are awarded directly to the Drivers Education school and cannot be sent to an individual.
In order to qualify for this grant, applicants are required to create a 1-minute video OR provide a 300-word essay about why they are excited to drive. The application will be marked incomplete if neither are submitted.
Important dates:
Please note, grant applications are awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis each quarter, funding permitted. See dates below for application windows.
Q1: January 18, 2024 to March 8, 2024
Q2: April 1 to May 31, 2024
Q3: July 1 to August 31, 2024
Q4: October 1 to November 18, 2024
Application deadlines for each quarter are:
Q1 Deadline: March 8th, 2024
Q2 Deadline: May 31st, 2024
Q3 Deadline: August 31st, 2024
Q4 Deadline: November 18th, 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
To apply, go to www.driversfoundation.org, and click on the “Educational Grants and Scholarships” tab and navigate to our “License to the Future” page. During an open application window, click the “Apply for a Grant” button found on the page. You will be directed to an external website to complete your application. The application will ask a number of simple questions to assess your desire and need for driver’s education and your eligibility. The process is straightforward and can be completed in under an hour. Please note, the completion of the application does not guarantee that you will be awarded a grant.
Students ages 14-18 in the U.S. and Canada are eligible to apply.
Students are selected for the grant based on the quality of their application, and availability of budget. Grants are awarded on an ongoing basis throughout the application window.
License to the Future is active throughout 2024, but applications are only accepted during open application windows. See the “Important Dates” section for more information.
The timeline to receive a grant varies based on available budget, but the sooner an applicant completes their application and student accepted form, the sooner their grant can be completed. Provided you complete your application and return the student accepted form promptly, the process generally takes approximately 3 weeks until the check is mailed to the driving school.
If you are approved for a grant based on your application, you will receive a “Student Accepted Form” via email from premiersupport@foundationsource.com. You must complete this form with the information of your chosen accredited driving school and return it before the 2-week deadline. The grant will be sent directly to your chosen driving school in the form of a check. If you do not complete and return your Student Accepted Form before the 2-week deadline, your application will be declined.
Grants can be sent to any accredited drivers education school. We recommend searching for a driving school in your area online or asking your school counselor. Driving school accreditation varies by state but are usually approved by your state or Department of Motor Vehicles.
You may choose any accredited driving school in the U.S. or Canada. Generally, driving schools are accredited by the state you live in or the Department of Motor Vehicles.
No, we legally cannot reimburse a student or parent who has already paid for the driving school. For this reason, we do not recommend paying for the course until you have spoken with your driving school and informed them of the grant.
No, this grant does not have to be repaid.
Yes, you may reapply if your grant was not approved, but your application will be moved to the back of the line. Please ensure that you complete the grant application fully and if approved, send your “Student Accepted Form” back in a timely manner.
If you need help with your License to the Future application, you can email driversfoundation@hagerty.com or call us at (231) 464-7029