COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Teenagers in Ohio would be able to take driver's education courses online instead of in classrooms under a proposed change being considered by lawmakers.

Teens younger than 18 currently are required to have 24 hours in the classroom and eight hours behind the wheel with instructors. Republican Sen. Tom Patton of Strongsville tells The Dayton Daily News ( http://bit.ly/ITbNX6 ) allowing online courses in place of classroom work would offer families a cheaper, more flexible alternative to traditional driver's education.

Driving schools opposed to the change say it would hurt their business and allow teens to do the online work with little oversight, creating more opportunity for cheating.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Association says 15 of the 26 states that require teen driver education allow online training.

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Information from: Dayton Daily News, http://www.daytondailynews.com