What the Attendance Form Is and When You Need It

Georgia's Learner's Permit Attendance Form is a document you must complete and bring to the Department of Driver Services (DDS) office when you explore for your learner's permit. It certifies that you have completed a state-approved driver education course or that you meet an exemption. Without this form, DDS will not issue your permit, regardless of your age or test scores.

The form itself is straightforward — it is a one-page record that your driver education provider fills out and signs. Your job is to obtain it from your course provider, check that all information is correct, and carry it with you to your DDS appointment. The form proves to the state that you have met Georgia's mandatory driver education requirement.

Key Takeaways

  • The Attendance Form must be completed by your driver education provider and brought to DDS; you cannot submit it online or by mail.
  • You need this form only if you are under 18; drivers 18 and older do not need to show proof of driver education to get a learner's permit.
  • The form is free and is issued by your course provider at the end of your driver education class.
  • Bring the original signed form to your DDS office appointment; a photocopy or digital image will not be accepted.
  • If your form is lost or damaged, contact your driver education provider to request a replacement or certified copy.

Who Must Submit the Attendance Form

Georgia law requires all applicants under 18 years old to complete a driver education course and present proof of completion before receiving a learner's permit. If you are 18 or older, you do not need the Attendance Form — you can explore for a learner's permit with just your identification and proof of residency.

Some applicants under 18 may be exempt from the driver education requirement. Exemptions include homeschooled students who have completed a state-approved driver education curriculum, students enrolled in a high school driver education program (which issues its own certificate), and certain students with documented disabilities. If you believe you may have access to for an exemption, contact DDS before your appointment to confirm what documents you need to bring instead of the Attendance Form.

How to Obtain the Attendance Form from Your Provider

Your driver education provider — whether a private driving school, online course, or high school program — is responsible for issuing the Attendance Form. You do not request it separately; it is given to you automatically when you complete your course. The provider prints the form, fills in your name, date of birth, course completion date, and their business information, then signs and dates it.

If you complete your course but do not receive the form before you leave, ask the provider for it on the spot. Most schools hand it to you at the end of your final class or exam. If you complete an online course, the provider will email it to you or make it available through your student account. Keep the form in a safe place — you will need the original, not a copy, when you go to DDS.

What Information Must Be on the Form

The Georgia Learner's Permit Attendance Form contains specific fields that must be completed correctly. The form includes your full name, date of birth, driver's license number (if you have one), the name and address of the driver education provider, the course completion date, and the provider's signature and business license number. DDS will reject the form if any of these fields are blank or illegible.

Before you leave your course provider's office, read through the form and verify that all your personal information is spelled correctly and matches your identification. If you spot an error — a misspelled name, wrong date of birth, or illegible signature — ask the provider to issue a corrected form when ready. Do not attempt to write corrections on the form yourself; DDS will not accept handwritten changes.

Bringing the Form to Your DDS Appointment

You must bring the original signed Attendance Form to your in-person appointment at a DDS office. You cannot submit it online, by mail, or through a third party. The form must be presented at the same time you take your learner's permit knowledge test and vision screening. Arrive at your appointment with the form, your identification, proof of residency, your Social Security number, and any other documents DDS requires for your age group.

DDS staff will review the form during your appointment to confirm that it is complete and signed. If the form is missing, illegible, or does not match your identity documents, DDS will not issue your permit and will ask you to contact your provider for a replacement. This can delay your permit by several days or weeks, so double-check that you have the form before you leave home.

What to Do If Your Form Is Lost or Damaged

If you lose the Attendance Form or it becomes damaged before your DDS appointment, contact your driver education provider when ready and request a replacement or certified copy. Most providers can reissue the form within one to three business days. Provide them with your name, date of birth, and the date you completed the course so they can locate your record.

Do not attempt to reschedule your DDS appointment until you have the replacement form in hand. Some providers charge a small fee for a duplicate form — typically $5 to $15 — so ask about the cost when you call. If your provider has closed or gone out of business, contact DDS directly to learn about alternative documentation options; this is rare, but DDS has procedures for these situations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is bringing a photocopy or photograph of the Attendance Form instead of the original. DDS will not accept copies under any circumstances. The form must be the original document with the provider's original signature. If you are worried about losing it, make a copy for your records after your DDS appointment, not before.

A second frequent error is arriving at DDS without the form and assuming you can submit it later by mail or email. This does not work — you must have the form at your appointment. If you forget it, you will have to reschedule. A third mistake is not checking the form for errors before you leave your provider's office. Once you leave, correcting mistakes takes extra time and effort. Read the form carefully while you are still there and ask for corrections on the spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I submit the Attendance Form online or by mail instead of bringing it to DDS?

No. Georgia requires you to present the original signed form in person at a DDS office during your learner's permit appointment. You cannot submit it online, by mail, fax, or email. The form must be reviewed by DDS staff at the time you take your knowledge test and vision screening.

What if my driver education provider will not give me the form?

Contact DDS directly and explain the situation. DDS can sometimes work with you to verify your course completion through the provider's records or request that the provider issue the form. If the provider is uncooperative or has closed, DDS may have alternative documentation options, though this is uncommon.

Do I need the Attendance Form if I am 18 or older?

No. Georgia's driver education requirement applies only to applicants under 18. If you are 18 or older, you can explore for a learner's permit without completing a driver education course or presenting an Attendance Form. You will need only your identification and proof of residency.

Can I use a high school driver education certificate instead of the Attendance Form?

If you completed driver education through your high school, your school issues its own certificate of completion rather than the standard Attendance Form. Bring that certificate to DDS instead. Contact your high school's driver education program to confirm what document they issue and whether it is accepted by DDS.

What happens if I bring the form but it has errors or is incomplete?

DDS will not issue your permit if the form is incomplete or contains errors. You will be asked to contact your provider for a corrected or replacement form and reschedule your appointment. This is why checking the form carefully before you leave your provider's office is important — it saves you time and another trip to DDS.