OBTAINING A DRIVER'S LICENSE FOR HOMESCHOOLED TEENS

1. READING PROFICIENCY 

Before a student under the age of 18 can obtain a driver's license in Oklahoma, he or she must present documentation that he or she is a student and has successfully passed a reading proficiency test.  This reading test may be taken at local community colleges or vo-tech schools.   Some private Christian schools also offer achievement tests for homeschoolers and will provide documentation.  You will also need to sign a document provided at the testing center stating that you are educating your child at home. 

47 Oklahoma Statute, Sec. 6-107, c states in part:

"..... has successfully passed the criterion-referenced reading test required for all eighth grade students....demonstrating reading proficiency at the eighth-grade reading level." 

"A student... who is receiving education by other means...shall satisfy the documentation requirement... by providing a written statement from the parent, custodial parent, or legal guardian of the student to the Department of Public Safety attesting that the child is receiving instruction by other means...."

2. GRADUATED DRIVER LICENSE 

Title 47-6-105, (Effective August 2000)

This law affects those who do not take an approved driver education course. 

15-YEAR-OLDS

May drive during a session in which the driver is being instructed in a driver education course by a certified driver education instructor who is seated in the right front seat of the motor vehicle. 47-6-105 A. 1.

 151/2-YEAR-OLD WHO IS CURRENTLY RECEIVING INSTRUCTION IN OR HAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED DRIVER EDUCATION

If the student brings a completion certificate or enrollment card or is listed on a driver education roster from one of the following:

1.) a prescribed secondary school driver course,

2.) a driver education course, certified by DPS, from parochial, private, or other nonpublic secondary school, or

3.) a commercial driver training course,

the person will not have the graduated driver license restriction (G) placed on his/her license. No change from current process. 47-6-105 A.2.a(1)(2)(3). 

151/2-YEAR-OLD WHO HAS NOT TAKEN DRIVER EDUCATION

May obtain a learner's permit (restriction #9) with a parent or legal guardian's

signature. The licensed driver must be 21 years of age. The applicant will have two (2) restrictions on his/her license; #9 and G. Restriction (G) simply says a person has the privilege to operate a Class D vehicle only during daylight hours except for driving to and from work, school, school activities, and church activities, or if a parent or legal guardian is a passenger in the front seat of the vehicle, the person may drive at any time, and may not operate a motor vehicle with more than one passenger unless all passengers live in the same household or unless the parent or guardian is a passenger in the front seat of the vehicle.  

16-YEAR-OLD WITH DRIVER EDUCATION

May be issued an unrestricted Class D license upon successfully passing all necessary examinations. (No change from current process) 47-6-105 A.5. 

16-YEAR-OLD WHO HAS NOT COMPLETED DRIVER EDUCATION

May be issued a restricted Class D license (G) upon successfully passing all parts of the driver license examinations. A restriction (G) shall grant to the licensee the privilege to operate a Class D vehicle only during daylight hours except for driving to and from work, school, school activities, and church activities, or if a parent or legal guardian is a passenger in the front seat of the vehicle, the person may drive at any time, and may not operate a motor vehicle with more than one passenger unless all passengers live in the same household or unless the parent or guardian is a passenger in the front seat of the vehicle.      47-6-105 A.3 

161/2-YEAR-OLD WHO HAS BEEN ISSUED A RESTRICTED (G) LICENSE
(no driver education)

Can be issued an unrestricted Class D license if he or she has had a restricted (G) Class D license for a minimum of thirty (30) days and who has not been convicted of, pled guilty to, or pled no contest to any moving vehicles violations; provided, if the licensee holds a restricted (#9) Class D license must successfully pass a driving examination.  47-6-105 A.4 

17-YEAR-OLD

GDL restrictions no longer apply. 

3.PARENT-TAUGHT DRIVER EDUCATION 

(Effective November 2001)

Parents are able to teach driver education to their teen and receive a certificate of completion that is approved by the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. According to OK Statute 47-6-105, a parent may teach driver education with certain requirements. 

Prior to teaching a Department of Public Safety-approved and certified parent-taught course, a parent must first request a parent-taught driver education packet from the Department of Public Safety. This request can be made:

(1) in writing to: Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, Driver License Examining Division, P.O. Box 11415, Oklahoma City, OK 73136-0415.

(2) by telephone to: (405) 425-7746

(3) by e-mail to: parent@dps.state.ok.us.

The packet contains:

(1) a list of approved parent-taught driver education providers, descriptions of courses, costs, and applications and

(2) an affidavit to be completed and returned to the Department of Public Safety prior to commencement of training by parent instructor(s). 

47 Oklahoma Statute, Sec. 6-105.A.2.b,c states in part:

"b. is being instructed in a parent-taught driver education course, certified by the Department of Public Safety, in which the student is being instructed by a parent or legal guardian....