Tohopekaliga High

Procedures for Minors to Maintain Driving Privileges

The Florida Legislature enacted legislation which required that schools report to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) the names, birth dates, gender and social security numbers of minors who attain the age of fourteen (14) and accumulate fifteen (15) unexcused absences within a period of ninety (90) calendar days. The legislation further provides that those students who fail to satisfy attendance requirements will be ineligible to obtain or maintain driving privileges.

Under Section 322 .091, Florida Statutes, a minor is not eligible for driving privileges unless that minor:

1. Is enrolled in a public school, nonpublic school or home education program and satisfies relevant attendance requirements;
2. Has received a high school diploma, high school equivalency diploma, special diploma or certificate of high school completion;
3. Is enrolled in a study course in preparation for the General Educational Development Test (GED Test) and satisfies relevant attendance requirements;
4. Is enrolled in other educational activities approved by the district school board and satisfies relevant attendance requirements;
5. Has been issued a certificate of exemption according to Section 21 (3), Florida Statutes; or
6. Has received a hardship waiver under Section 091, Florida Statutes.

It is the responsibility of the School District to develop Procedures for the process of notifying the DHSMV of students who fit into the category of "truant" or "drop-out".