What Is a VOE Form?
The VOE form (DL-104)is an official document that shows the Department of Public Safety (DPS) that a new driver under 18 is regularly attending school and earning class credits. Put simply, it’s the state’s way of ensuring you stay on track in high school while earning your driving privileges. A Texas VOE form only checks the school enrollment box; it does not replace your driver education completion certificate, proof of identity or residency, or other licensing documents.
Here is a quick breakdown of the verification of enrollment requirements, VOE validity rules, and alternatives for minors who are no longer in high school.
| Requirement | Details |
| Who Needs a VOE? | Most license applicants under 18. |
| Attendance Rule | Must have earned full credit in the previous semester OR maintained at least 90% attendance. |
| VOE Validity | 30 days during the school year; 90 days during the summer. |
| Cost | Free (issued by your school or district). |
| Alternatives | High school diploma, GED, or college attendance record. |
VOE Eligibility: Attendance and Credit Rules
Under Texas Education Code §25.092, a school administrator will only sign your Verification of Enrollment form if you meet state academic standards by having earned full credit for every course taken in the preceding semester, met the 90% attendance requirement across all classes (attending at least 80 school days), or successfully completed a school-approved attendance recovery plan to restore lost credit.
VOE Expiration Rules
Expired VOE forms are a leading cause of rejection at the DPS counter, so it’s important to get your enrollment form signed at the right time. During the regular school year, a VOE form remains valid for 30 days once it’s signed. A VOE signed during the final 5 days of the school year or from June–August remains valid for 90 days (or until the first day of the upcoming school year). Because teen drivers must hold a Texas learner’s permit for at least 6 months before taking their road test, a VOE form presented during the permit appointment will expire before the driving test. Students must request a second, fresh VOE form from their school before their DPS road driving test.
DPS Appointment Reality Check: DPS appointment wait times often stretch 30 to 60 days out, so many parents make the mistake of requesting a VOE form from a school too early. By the time the permit appointment arrives, the VOE form may be expired. Always book your DPS license appointment first, then request the signed VOE form from your school 7–10 days before your scheduled DPS visit.
How to Get a Signed VOE Form in Texas
The process for obtaining a VOE document depends on the type of school you attend:
- Public, Charter, and Private School Students
Contact your campus administrative office about 5–10 days before your DPS appointment. The school verifies your grades and attendance record, and a school official signs and stamps the VOE form. - Homeschooled Students
Access the VOE Form PDF online and print it out. In the school name field, write “Home School” and list your resident county. Your parent or guardian who oversees your home schooling acts as school authority, fills out the administrator section, and signs/dates the VOE document. No district or state registration is required. - GED and College Students Under 18
GED students must be actively enrolled and have attended an approved High School Equivalency program for at least 45 calendar days before the program director can sign a GED form. Full-time college students can have a school registrar sign the VOE form or provide an official letter certifying enrollment and attendance.
What to Do During Months When Schools Are Closed
If you need a VOE for permit processing during the summer while school offices are closed, the DPS will generally accept your official final report card from the preceding school year as valid verification of enrollment. The report card must show your full legal name, final grades, and a complete attendance record.
How to Complete Your VOE (Form DL-104) Correctly
Before submitting your VOE form, ensure the signature meets DPS standards. Texas accepts official verified digital signatures from automated school management systems (like Skyward, Frontline, or PowerSchool). However, clerks will reject unverified electronic signature images, low-contrast scans, smartphone photos, or screenshots. If your school does not use a verified system, the form must have an original wet-ink signature or official school stamp.
Double-check that your VOE form contains all the necessary information:
- A full legal name matching your birth certificate and Social Security card, date of birth, and Social Security Number.
- Official school name, district, county, campus address, and administrator phone number.
- Signature, printed name, title, and date of signing by the authorized official or homeschooling parent.
- A parent or legal guardian signature giving DPS permission to verify enrollment records and allowing school officials to notify DPS if the student accumulates 20 consecutive unexcused absences.
Common VOE Errors
To prevent unnecessary delays with your Texas verification of enrollment, avoid these common mistakes:
- Requesting the VOE form too far in advance so it expires before your appointment.
- Submitting a handwritten note instead of the official VOE Form DL-104 for homeschooled students, or bringing an incomplete digital grade screenshot that lacks official attendance data for summer appointments.
- Having a name mismatch between your VOE form and official identification documents.
VOE Form FAQs
Do I need a VOE to get my license in Texas?
If you’re under 18, you generally need a valid Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (VOE) form, diploma, or GED when applying for a Texas Learner License or Provisional Driver License.
Do I need to get a VOE form if I am 18 or older?
The Texas verification of school enrollment requirement applies strictly to applicants under age 18, so once you turn 18, you do not need to provide enrollment documentation to get a Texas drivers license, even if you are still in high school.
Why do I need a second VOE form for my driving test?
Because teen drivers must hold a Texas learner’s permit for at least 6 months before taking the road test for a provisional license, the original VOE form submitted for a permit will have expired. You must obtain a fresh, valid VOE to present at your DPS road test. If you turn 18, the permit-holding rule no longer applies, nor does the VOE requirement.
Is there a fee to get a VOE form in Texas?
The official State of Texas VOE form (DL-104) is free to download. Public schools do not charge for signing it, though some private institutions or charter campuses may assess a nominal administrative record fee.
What happens if I do not meet the 90% attendance requirement for a Texas minor driver license?
A Texas student who did not receive credit for every prior-semester class or failed to attend at least 90% of class days may initially be denied a VOE form. However, denial is not always permanent. The school’s attendance committee or administration can establish an attendance recovery or credit improvement plan. Once the student successfully fulfills the conditions of this plan, the school can certify eligibility and issue the VOE form.
Should I submit my VOE form to the Texas Education Agency (TEA)?
The completed VOE form must be presented in person at the Texas DPS during your driver license appointment. Do not mail, email, or submit the form to the Texas Education Agency, as they do not process licensing documents.
How do I get a VOE if I am enrolled in online high school or remote learning?
Online public and charter schools operating in Texas (such as Texas Connections Academy or iUniversity Prep) satisfy state VOE requirements. Parents or students can request and download an officially signed VOE form directly through their online school’s student or parent portal.
Do I need a VOE form if I recently moved to Texas from another state?
If you recently moved to Texas and are trying to transfer a learner’s permit, the DPS will accept official transcript records or direct attendance verification from your previous out-of-state school, provided the documentation proves you met the 90% attendance standard during the preceding semester. If you are trying to transfer an out-of-state minor drivers license, you will need to complete a Texas Teen Driver Education course before you can get a Texas license.
Do I need a VOE form to renew or replace a lost permit?
A VOE form is generally required only when initially applying for a learner’s permit or upgrading to a Provisional Driver License. You do not need to present a new VOE form to request a duplicate permit card.
Where can I find the official Texas VOE form PDF?
You can download the official VOE form that the DPS uses directly from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) website or your school’s student portal.
Is a Verification of Employment (VOE) the same as a Verification of Enrollment (VOE) form?
While both documents share the acronym “VOE,” they serve completely different purposes. A Verification of Employment is used in finance, real estate, and hiring to confirm an individual’s job status, salary, and work history. On the other hand, a Verification of Enrollment form is used by state agencies like the Texas DPS to verify that a minor student is regularly attending school and meeting academic standards to qualify for a Texas drivers license.
