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.

Similarly to the GED and HiSET exams, the TASC exam (Test Assessing Secondary Completion), is a high school equivalency test.

In the vast majority of cases, students should pursue a high school diploma; earning a diploma typically results in higher wages as an adult and lets employers know that the worker can overcome a challenge. However, for teenagers who are at least 16 years of age, not currently enrolled in any high school, and do not have a high school diploma, the TASC may be available.

Similar to the GED, the HiSET is an exam that provides students with a degree equivalent to a high school diploma. It is, however, more rigorous in nature than the GED.

High school can be incredibly difficult, and sometimes students and parents are looking at alternatives to receiving a high school diploma. In the vast majority of cases, students should pursue a high school diploma. Earning a diploma typically results in higher wages as an adult and lets employers know that the worker can overcome a challenge.

As your home school high school career comes to a close, it is pivotal that you plan ahead to prepare and apply for college. Well-prepared home school students start the process early. The first step is deciding which type of college works for you.

There are two types of schools to choose from:

1. Traditional College. Perhaps you’ve grown a lot on your own, but you’re ready to enter into the classroom and interact with your peers and professors.

2. Distance Learning Higher Education Institutes. If you love working independently and want to continue—or maybe you don’t want to move and there aren’t programs that interest you locally—then distance learning might be a good option for your higher education, too. These institutes allow you to attend classes and complete assignments from your home.

No matter which you choose, it is crucial that you begin the process early, learning which schools you’re interested in and what they require of their applicants. Because you’re coming from home school, the requirements may vary greatly from school to school.