How to Get a Driver’s Permit

Getting a driver’s license can be one of the most exciting and worrying moments for students during their high school years. Most students will carry around their plastic card and show everyone, “I’ve got my driver’s license!”

Really, that driver’s license shouts from the street, “I’ve got freedom! I have responsibility! I’m an adult!” It’s quite a wonderful thing for students desiring independence and responsibility in their lives. None of this is different when talking about homeschoolers or alternative education students.

Obtaining a driver's license will be a slightly different process for everyone based on where they live, and there are parts you will need to become familiar with in your situation. Unless an individual has a legally restrictive circumstance, they should be able to get a driver’s license or learner’s permit. 

Before we begin general requirements, know that homeschoolers’ paperwork has often been dismissed as invalid or incomplete. Please finish reading this article and review the paperwork requirements specific to your state from your DMV's website to know what is required of your student and family.

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Here is what we will be discussing in this article

1. What is required of students under the age of 18 to apply for a learner’s permit or driver’s license?
2. What is required of students who wish to apply for a learner’s permit or driver’s license beyond the public requirements?
3. Four different ways to apply for a driver’s license or a learner’s permit as a non-traditional student.

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Unfair Circumstances

I remember the frustrating moment: I had taken time off work in advance, driven across town, waited in line, walked up to the counter, and heard, “I’m sorry, you don’t have all the required paperwork.” These moments come for all of us at the seemingly perfect time to wreak havoc on our schedules and patience.

In some states, before homeschooling was acknowledged, students were turned away with their records, diplomas, and transcripts as “invalid.” The part that has made it difficult is proving the validity of the student. We will address in this article the general requirements and where to research state-specific requirements for homeschooled students to get their learner’s permit or driver’s license.

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Requirements for All Students

Although every state varies in specific requirements or actions being met, there are a few things every state requires. For specific actions for your state, please click here and scroll down to “Licenses for adults and minors; GDL laws” to find your state. Here you will find specific requirements, including:

Requirement #1: Minimum Age

When applying for a learner’s permit, every student must be at least the minimum age.

Each state has decided upon its minimum required age for a learner’s permit. It is the responsibility of the family and student to research this information. A homeschool student is not exempt and must be the minimum age required in their state of residence to apply for a learner’s permit.

Requirement #2: Accreditation or Equivalency

Every applicant, no matter what the circumstances (until the age of 18), must be either enrolled in and receiving an accredited education, or pass and furnish records of high school equivalency (GED, HiSET test, etc.).

Students should be either enrolled in an accredited education program (public, private, or homeschool) or have the equivalency of a high school education (GED or HiSET test passed) in order to meet the requirement. 

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Homeschool/Alternative School-Specific Requirements

Homeschool Specific Requirement #1: Know the Laws

Know Your State’s Specific Homeschool Designations and Laws.

Not every state views homeschooling and private online schools the same. You should be familiar with the local homeschooling laws and regulations. To do this, you can begin research at your local DMV website or begin an online search for your local automotive laws.

Homeschool Specific Requirement #2: Know the Exemption

Know and be able to explain the superintendent-approved public school exemption you or your student has received from the local board of education.

Some of the difficulty in obtaining a driver’s permit or paperwork approval comes down to understanding. It is possible that the DMV representative you'll be working with has little-to-no experience with homeschooled students. Come prepared to share and explain to your local DMV the type of education (accredited, private online, etc.) your student is receiving.

Consider reviewing Enlightium Academy’s state blogs for an informative article on the state laws of your state.

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Four Different Ways to Apply for a Driver’s License or Learner’s Permit at the DMV as a Homeschooler or Private Online Student:

1. For students of private online schools like Enlightium Academy, bring a verification of enrollment (VOE) and the latest report card/transcript to prove active enrollment. If you are a student of a private online school, simply contact Admissions and have them send you your information.
   
   1. For many states, a VOE is not sufficient, but the DMV has a specific form that the student has to fill out, which can be picked up at the DMV office or their website. In those cases, the student fills out the form, sends it to their counselor for review, and the counselor emails the completed form back if the student is maintaining our minimum standards for enrollment.
2. For students of a traditional homeschool curriculum, have a notification of curriculum and student progress approval from the superintendent of your local board of education. Contact your local board of education to offer notification of approval, and have your student portfolio with you if necessary to show current work and grades.
3. For students of traditional homeschool curriculum who don’t have access to their local superintendent, provide a portfolio and student progress review from a state-certified education specialist to your local DMV. To do this, contact a certified state teacher or tutor (possibly someone with a career in education and a master’s in education) to give a professional portfolio and student progress review. Once the portfolio and student progress review have been approved, attain written approval of this event.
4. For any alternative education student (homeschool, private, online, etc.), consider enrolling in a driver’s education program. This is not directly applicable to a learner’s permit or a driver’s license, but it can help those processes. This will help you familiarize yourself with the local automotive laws and how they relate to alternative education students, and it will also give the DMV a record of you that proves you are in good standing.

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Since 2003, Enlightium faculty and staff have served partner schools, hybrid, online, and homeschool K-12 students. With parental support, excellent instruction, and a personalized approach to learning, Enlightium equips students with the academic, spiritual, physical, social, and emotional skills they need to succeed in life. For any other questions about Enlightium, please call (509) 319-2288 or visit EnlightiumAcademy.com.