What Is a VOE Form?
The Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (VOE) form proves that your teen is enrolled in school and meeting Texas attendance requirements. Texas Transportation Code §521.204 requires it for all Texas license applicants under age 18 who do not have a high school diploma or GED.
The VOE form certifies that the student:
- Is currently enrolled in school (or an approved alternative)
- Has met minimum attendance requirements (the 90% rule)
- Is making satisfactory academic progress
- Has not been expelled
The VOE always comes from your teen's academic school — public, private, or homeschool. A driver education provider cannot issue one, and a DE-964 certificate is not a substitute.
Do You Need a VOE?
If your teen is under 18 and doesn't have a diploma or GED, yes — for every licensing visit. Here's the quick answer for each situation:
- Learner permit at 15 — yes, bring a current VOE to the first DPS visit.
- Provisional license at 16 — yes, and it must be a fresh one. The VOE from the permit visit will be long expired by the road test.
- Hardship license (MRDL) — yes, the VOE requirement applies to hardship applicants too.
- 18 or older — no. The VOE requirement ends at the 18th birthday.
- Has a high school diploma or GED — no. Bring the diploma or GED certificate instead.
Because the VOE expires quickly, your teen needs a separate, current VOE for each DPS visit — plan on getting one for the permit and another for the road test.
How Long Is a VOE Valid?
A VOE does expire — for most of the year it's only good for 30 days from the date it's issued. The full validity windows:
| When Issued | Valid For |
|---|---|
| During the school year | 30 days from date of issuance |
| During summer (June–August) | 90 days from date of issuance |
| Last 5 days of the school year | Valid until the first day of the next school year |
How to Get a VOE Form
Public or Private School Students
- Request it from the school — contact your teen's school counselor, registrar, or attendance office. Most schools have a standard process for VOE requests, and some charge a small administrative fee ($2–10 is common).
- Allow processing time — request the form at least 1–2 weeks before the DPS appointment. Some schools take time to verify attendance records.
- Check all fields — make sure the form is fully completed, signed, and dated by the school official before you leave.
- Keep the original — DPS wants the original signed form, not a photocopy.
Homeschool Students
Parents of homeschooled students complete and sign the VOE form themselves. Write "Home School" as the school name, include your county, and sign as the school administrator. No separate school verification is needed. If you homeschool, see our parent's guide to filling out the VOE yourself for a field-by-field walkthrough.
GED Students
If your teen has obtained a GED or equivalent, the GED program administrator signs the VOE form. You can also provide GED completion documentation as an alternative.
Getting a VOE During Summer Break
How to Get a VOE When School Is Closed
If school let out before you got a VOE, you still have options:
- Contact the district office — school district administration offices often stay open during summer and can issue VOEs even when the campus is closed.
- Email the registrar before summer starts — ask if they can prepare a VOE dated for when you'll need it. The end-of-year window works in your favor: a VOE issued in the last 5 days of school carries through the whole break.
- Ask your DPS office about a final report card — some offices accept a recent final report card as proof of enrollment during summer. Call ahead to confirm; it varies by office (more on this below).
- Schedule the visit for when school resumes — if nothing else works, book the DPS appointment for early in the new school year and request a fresh VOE then.
Can You Use a Report Card Instead of a VOE?
Not officially. The VOE is the document Texas DPS requires for applicants under 18. That said, some DPS offices will accept a recent final report card as proof of enrollment during summer break, when schools are closed and a VOE is hard to get.
Treat this as an office-by-office accommodation, not a rule. Always call your local DPS office before the visit to ask whether they'll accept a report card — and bring the most recent final report card you have, not an older one. If the office says no, use one of the summer VOE options above instead.
The 90% Attendance Rule
VOE Checklist for Your DPS Visit
Before heading to DPS, verify all of the following:
- VOE form is an original (not a photocopy)
- Form is dated within the last 30 days (or 90 days in summer)
- All fields are completed
- School official has signed and stamped/sealed the form
- Student name matches other ID documents exactly
- School contact information is included
The VOE is only one of the documents your teen needs at the counter. See our full Texas permit checklist and the DL-14B application guide for the rest of the paperwork, and our walkthrough of the DPS permit visit for what to expect.
What Happens If Attendance Slips
If your teen does not currently qualify for a VOE due to attendance issues, here are your options:
- Wait for the next semester — attendance resets each semester, giving a fresh start.
- Appeal to the district — some districts have appeal processes for extenuating circumstances.
- Medical documentation — chronic illness absences may be excused with proper documentation from a physician.
- Alternative education program — enrolling in a different program may provide a fresh start for attendance tracking.