Across the States
New Form For Student Drivers
All Maryland students under age 16, including homeschooled students, now have an additional hoop to jump through to get a learner’s permit to drive—but it could have been worse.
Under Senate Bill 519, which was passed last session, students under age 16 must show that they did not have more than 10 unexcused absences from school the semester before they apply for a permit.
In 2007, Home School Legal Defense Association Staff Attorney Scott Woodruff corresponded with officials at the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), and met with them on August 6 to help shape the law’s implementation process to protect the rights of homeschooling families. HSLDA’s goal was to make sure the legislation did not become a tool for placing new burdens on families.
The MVA has now published Form DL-300, which implements the new law and takes into account HSLDA’s comments to MVA officials. Homeschooled students under age 16 seeking a learner’s permit will simply need a local school official to sign their form, confirming that the student is homeschooled. They will not need to submit proof of attendance or absences in their homeschool program. This requirement went into effect on October 1, 2007.
You can view Form DL-300 at www.mva.state.md.us.(requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
— by Scott A. Woodruff
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