Driver Education Initiative Award – Annual Scholarship Opportunity
National Driving and Traffic School is proud to announce their 2025 scholarship opportunity, entitled “In the Driver’s Seat.” The company is seeking to reward essay applicants $10,000 in scholarships- for students entering college or already enrolled in a higher education institution – on the topic of being a safer driver.
Driver Education Initiative 2025: In the Driver’s Seat
The Topic of this year’s essay submissions deals with the serious implications of being a driver. In America, an average of 34,000 people die each year as a result of driving. This is more people who have died in one year as a result of driving, than the total number of American soldiers who have died from war in Iraq and Afghanistan combined. The total number of Americans who die within the span of two years as a result of driving is more than the total number of American deaths from the Vietnam war. This is to say, driving is more dangerous and deadly for our nation than being involved in combat, and highlights the serious consequences of being negligent on the road.
Courtesy: NHTSA, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_military_casualties_of_war
Many drivers are not aware of these startling and very scary facts, especially newer drivers. The essay contest “In The Driver’s Seat” seeks to have applicants highlight the importance of being a safe and educated driver. This scholarship seeks to reward six students for his or her submission dealing with the importance of being a safe and educated driver. The application is handled in essay format. To apply, submit an essay of no less than 750 words in Microsoft Word format addressing the following questions:
Questions to be answered in your Essay/Application
Impaired driving is one of the leading causes of preventable road deaths. It can result from alcohol, drugs, fatigue, or distraction. It affects drivers of all ages and experience levels.
For this round, we invite you to explore how driver’s education or traffic safety courses can help reduce impaired driving and protect lives. Please answer the following questions in one cohesive narrative:
- What does “impaired driving” mean to you? Why is it sometimes misunderstood, even by drivers who have completed driver’s education or traffic school?
- What types of impairment, such as alcohol, drugs, texting, or fatigue, are most common among drivers today? How do they affect driving ability and contribute to unsafe behaviour?
- Have you ever experienced or heard a story that changed the way you think about impaired driving? How did it shape your awareness or influence the choices you make behind the wheel?
- How can driver’s education and traffic school courses help change attitudes and behaviours around impaired driving? What makes these programmes effective in real-world situations?
- What role can you personally play in preventing impaired driving? How could your knowledge or training influence others to make safer decisions?
This is an annual scholarship program.
2025 Drivers Education
Apply for the 2025 Drivers Ed Online Contest Round 3
Submission Details
Applicants must be currently enrolled in either High School, University or College. Employees and relatives of National Driving and Traffic School are ineligible. There will be three contest submission dates. To be eligible for the contest submit your essay by one of the submission dates.
- Round 1: January 3rd 2025 – March 31st
Winners: Announced May 3rd - Round 2: Accepting entries May 3rd – August 1st.
Announced September 1st - Round 3: Accepting entries September 1st – November 30th.
Announced 1/2/26
* Please note, to limit the number of entries, the minimum word requirement for the essay submissions is 750 words. Entries not meeting the minimum word requirement will not be posted.
Along with your submission please include a picture of yourself which we can post on our site to go along with your essay
The winner will be required to provide proof of successful acceptance to a Higher Institute of Learning, College or University. Payment will be made directly to the applicant’s college. If you have additional questions, please contact us. This contest is open to all students in U.S., Canada, and abroad.
2 winners are chosen for each contest: staff favorite, and most voted for. Vote tallies end on the date of the contest deadline. We award a prize of $500 to each winner every contest.
- Previous winners may not reapply.
- Due to the use of AI, we will be favoring more personal essays written from experience.
- For the most shared essay, shares are counted by the number of people who share your post on their Facebook Page. Share counts stop two weeks from the day of the contest submission deadline.
- Please note that, by joining the contest, you consent to the publication of your essay on our website.
Previous Contest Winner Announcements
- Spring 2025 Winners
- Fall 2024 Winners
- Summer 2024 Winners
- Spring 2024 Winners
- Fall 2023 Winners
- Summer 2023 Winners
- Spring 2023 Winners
- Fall 2022 Winners
- Sumer 2022 Winners
- Spring 2022 Winners
- Fall 2021 Winners
- Summer 2021 Winners
- Winter 2021 Winners
- Fall 2020 Winners
- Summer 2020 Winners
- Spring 2020 Winners
- Fall 2019 Winners
- Spring 2019 Winners
- Summer 2019 Winners
- Spring 2019 Winners
- Winter 2018 Winners
- Summer 2018 Winners
Previous Contests
- Spring 2025 Contest
- Fall 2024 Contest
- Summer 2024 Contest
- Spring 2024 Contest
- Fall 2023 Contest
- Summer 2023 Contest
- Spring 2023 Contest
- Fall 2023 Contest
- Summer 2022 Contest
- Spring 2022 Contest
- Fall 2021 Contest
- Summer 2021 Contest
- Winter 2021 Contest
- Fall 2020 Contest
- Spring 2020 Contest
- Fall 2019 Contest
- Summer 2019 Contest
- Spring 2019 Contest
- Scholarship articles archive
2025 Drivers Ed Essays Gallery – Round 3
by Matthew R. Ochoa II
The essay details the dangers of impaired driving, highlighting alcohol, distractions, and fatigue as key causes.
by Kaydance Logue
An essay highlighting the seriousness of impaired driving influenced by personal tragedy and the need for safe driving practices.
by Ella Enloe
An impactful essay on the importance of safe driving, consequences of reckless action, and the power of personal responsibility to save lives.
by Ethan D Budden
A comprehensive exploration of impaired driving, risks, prevention tips and a personal pledge to promote safer driving.
by James Austin Hagler
A poignant essay exploring the dangers and broad spectrum of impaired driving, and the writer's commitment towards raising awareness.
by Kaylee Rose Guy
An insightful essay discussing the importance of driver’s education in understanding and preventing impaired driving.
by Imani Evans
An engaging essay discussing the broad spectrum of impaired driving and the measures to prevent it.
by Carlee Ludwig
This essay discusses the author's encounter with impaired driving and provides insights on how it can be curtailed.
by Rayanna
This essay confronts misconceptions about impaired driving, detailing its various forms and promoting awareness.
by Lily Somers
An introspective essay reflecting on the repercussions of impaired driving based on personal experiences.
by Jackson Pierce
Anedoctal review of the dangers of impaired driving, consequences, and its impact on society.
by Brook L Benson
A reflective essay discussing the wide-ranging consequences of impaired driving, and advocating for safer roads.
by Talia Baker
A thoughtful discussion on impaired driving, emphasising on the dangers not only of drugs and alcohol, but also distractions from phone usage.
by Paola Valdez
A personal essay exploring the destructive effects of impaired driving and advocating for stronger awareness and responsibility.
by Okoro Anselm Ndubuisi
An exploration of the importance of safe and educated driving, highlighting the dangers of impaired driving.
by Regan Coffey
An enlightening essay about the dangers of impaired driving, emotional experiences, and the importance of safety education.
by Saron Tadeos
The essay explores the hidden dangers of impaired driving, beyond alcohol and drugs, and the importance of being totally alert while behind the wheel.
by Mason Latimore
A comprehensive essay discussing the dangers and life-altering consequences of impaired driving.
by Taylor Novales
An insightful essay on the dangers and repercussions of impaired driving, advocating for regular driver's education.
by Elizabeth
The essay discusses the dangers of distracted and impaired driving and the need for heightened awareness, education and cultural change.
by Devin Sanford
An essay by Devin Sanford exploring the importance of responsible driving and the effects of impaired driving.
by James Moore
An exploratory essay discussing the misunderstood concept of impaired driving beyond alcohol and drugs, emphasizing on distractions like texting and fatigue.
by Adrianne Cook
An examination of impaired driving, its consequences, and the importance of promoting safe driving habits.
by Trinity
An essay addressing the diverse causes of impaired driving, its implications, and the significance of responsible driving.
by Dr Tino Smith
An insight into how Driver's Education significantly reduces impaired driving and saves lives through structured training and awareness.
by Lila Danielle Maria Caster
An introspective essay about the tragic loss of a friend due to distracted driving, and the author's commitment to ensuring it doesn't happen again.
by Katherine Menz
The essay highlights the tragic impacts of impaired driving on society and discusses its prevention strategies.
by Dixie Carr
An essay discussing various forms of impaired driving such as alcohol, drugs, tiredness, and distractions, and the importance of safe driving habits.