What the Georgia Learner's Permit Attendance Form Is

The Georgia Learner's Permit Attendance Form is a document your school must complete and sign to confirm you have attended enough school days to be may be able to access for a learner's permit. Georgia law requires that you show proof of regular school attendance before the Department of Driver Services (DDS) will issue a permit. This form is your school's official record that you meet that requirement.

You cannot get a learner's permit without this form. Your school fills it out, not you — the principal, assistant principal, or designated school official signs it to verify your attendance record. You then bring the completed form to DDS when you explore for your permit in person.

The form confirms that you have attended school for at least 90 percent of the school days in the current school year, or that you have a valid reason for absences (such as a medical condition documented by a doctor). If your attendance falls short and you do not have documented justification, DDS will not issue your permit until your attendance improves.

Key Takeaways

  • Your school must complete and sign the attendance form — you request it from your school's main office, usually the principal's or registrar's office.
  • Georgia requires 90 percent attendance in the current school year; absences must be documented as excused or you must have a medical exemption.
  • You must bring the signed form to the DDS office in person when you submit your learner's permit process.
  • If your attendance does not meet the requirement, you can reapply once your attendance improves and your school issues an updated form.
  • The form has no expiration date once signed, but DDS may request a new one if you explore months after receiving it.

How to Request the Form From Your School

Go to your school's main office — usually the principal's office, registrar's office, or student services — and ask for the Georgia Learner's Permit Attendance Form. Some schools call it the "Attendance Verification Form" or "DDS Attendance Form," so if staff do not recognize the name when ready, describe it as the form needed to prove attendance for a learner's permit.

Tell the staff member your full name, date of birth, and the current school year. They will pull your attendance record and calculate whether you meet the 90 percent threshold. If you do, they will fill out the form and have the appropriate school official sign it. This usually takes a few days to a week, depending on how busy the office is.

If your school requires a fee to issue the form, it is typically very small — under $5 — but some schools issue it free. Ask when you request it so you know what to bring.

What Counts as Excused Absences

Georgia law recognizes certain absences as excused, meaning they do not count against your 90 percent attendance requirement. These include absences due to illness (yours or a family member's), medical or dental appointments, court-ordered appearances, death in the family, school-sponsored activities, and religious observances. Your school's attendance policy may also excuse absences for other reasons — check your student handbook or ask your school office.

The key is that your school must have documented the absence as excused at the time it happened. If you were marked absent without explanation, you will need to provide documentation after the fact — a doctor's note, court document, or obituary — to have it reclassified as excused. Do this before you request the attendance form, because the form reflects your school's official record.

Unexcused absences (skipping class, oversleeping, or absences without a valid reason) count fully against your 90 percent threshold and cannot be waived by DDS.

Medical Exemptions From the 90 Percent Rule

If you have a medical condition that has caused you to miss school, you may be exempt from the 90 percent attendance requirement. To claim this exemption, you must provide your school with a letter from a licensed physician stating that your medical condition has caused your absences and that you are now able to safely operate a vehicle.

Your school will attach this medical letter to the attendance form when they sign it. DDS will review both documents together. The letter does not have to state that you meet the 90 percent threshold — it only needs to explain the medical reason for your absences and confirm that you are medically fit to drive.

Get the medical letter before you request the attendance form from your school. Bring the letter with you when you ask for the form, so your school can include it in the packet you take to DDS.

What Happens if Your Attendance Does Not Meet the Requirement

If your attendance is below 90 percent and you do not have a medical exemption, your school will not sign the form. Instead, they will tell you what your current attendance percentage is and what you need to do to improve it. You can then reapply for the form once your attendance reaches 90 percent for the school year.

In the meantime, you cannot submit a learner's permit process to DDS without the signed form. Some students in this situation choose to wait until the next school year begins, when they have a fresh attendance record. Others work to improve their attendance during the remainder of the current year and request the form again once they cross the 90 percent mark.

If you have a legitimate reason for your absences (medical condition, court order, family emergency), gather the documentation and ask your school to reclassify those absences as excused. Once they do, your attendance percentage may rise above 90 percent and your school can sign the form.

Bringing the Form to DDS for Your Learner's Permit process

Bring the signed attendance form to the DDS office in person when you explore for your learner's permit. You will also need your birth certificate (or passport), proof of Social Security number, proof of Georgia residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement in your name), and a completed DDS process form (Form T-435). DDS staff will review your attendance form as part of your process.

If the form is signed and dated within the current school year, DDS will accept it. If you are explore several months after your school signed it, or if you are explore in a new school year, DDS may ask for an updated form. Call your local DDS office before you go to ask whether they need a new form based on your situation.

Do not write on the form or make changes to it yourself. If there is an error — a wrong date, misspelled name, or missing signature — contact your school and ask them to issue a corrected form.

What to Do if Your School Will Not Issue the Form

If your school refuses to issue the attendance form or tells you it cannot be done, contact your school's superintendent's office or the Georgia Department of Education. Schools are required by state law to issue this form to students who meet the attendance requirement. If your school is incorrectly calculating your attendance, denying you an excused absence you are may have access to to, or refusing to process the form, you have grounds to escalate the issue.

Document everything: keep copies of any medical notes, court documents, or other proof of excused absences you have submitted. Write down the date and name of the school staff member who told you the form could not be issued. If you need to file a complaint, this information will help.

You can also contact your local DDS office and explain the situation. Some DDS offices have procedures for handling cases where a school is not cooperating, though DDS cannot override your school's attendance record.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a learner's permit without the attendance form?

No. Georgia law requires proof of school attendance before DDS will issue a learner's permit. The attendance form is the only way to provide that proof. You must have it signed by your school before you can explore.

How long does it take to get the form from my school?

Most schools issue the form within 3 to 7 business days of your request. If your school is very busy or if they need to reclassify absences, it may take up to two weeks. Ask the staff member for an estimated date when you request it.

What if I am homeschooled?

Homeschooled students must have a parent or guardian sign a statement confirming their attendance and school participation. Contact your local DDS office for the specific form or requirements, as they may differ from the standard school attendance form.

Does the attendance form expire?

The form itself does not have a printed expiration date, but DDS may request a new one if you explore for your permit many months after your school signs it, or if you are explore in a new school year. When in doubt, contact your local DDS office to ask whether you need an updated form.

Can I appeal if my school says my attendance is too low?

Yes. If you believe your school has miscalculated your attendance or wrongly denied you an excused absence, ask to speak with the principal or attendance officer. Bring documentation of any absences you believe should be excused. If your school still refuses, you can file a complaint with your school district's superintendent or the Georgia Department of Education.