Photo: Thomas R Machnitzki, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
For Tennessee students under 18 applying for a learner permit or license, and their parents. Tennessee law (T.C.A. 49-6-3017) bars issuing a license to anyone under 18 who cannot show a diploma, GED or proof of school enrollment and satisfactory progress. Most students prove it with form SF-1010, the Certification of Compulsory School Attendance, from their school.
Key facts
- Form: SF-1010, Certification of Compulsory School Attendance.
- Who fills it in: an authorized school official, the principal or the director of schools. The original goes to the student.
- How long it is valid: 30 days, except during summer months when school is out.
- Already graduated? Bring your high school diploma or GED certificate instead.
- Dropping out: withdrawing from school can lead to suspension of your driving privileges.
Who has to prove school attendance in Tennessee?
Every applicant under 18. At the time you apply you must present one of these:
- a high school diploma or certificate of graduation,
- proof you are enrolled in and making satisfactory progress in a secondary school,
- proof you are enrolled in and making satisfactory progress in a GED course, or have a GED, or
- proof you are excused from the requirement because of circumstances beyond your control.
How to get form SF-1010
- Ask your school office for the SF-1010. The Department of Safety also publishes it as a fillable form.
- The school official completes and signs it, and gives the original to you.
- Book your Driver Services visit within 30 days of the date on the form during the school year.
- Hand the original to the examiner with your other documents and the Minor/Teenage Affidavit. A parent or guardian signs the affidavit in person or has it notarized.
The manual (July 2022 edition) sets out the other routes:
- Homeschooled: a letter from the local director of schools confirming your notice of intent to homeschool, plus form SF-1193 (Verification of Home School Enrollment) signed by a parent or guardian at the center.
- School outside Tennessee, or a private or church school without SF-1010 forms: a letter on school letterhead from the principal or headmaster confirming you are not truant. Copies and faxes are not accepted.
- Summer: an SF-1010 signed in the last 30 days of the school year is accepted until about 30 days after the next year starts.
Report cards and transcripts are not accepted as proof. If you return to school after a first withdrawal, the school completes a section of the SF-1010 and you pay a $20 reinstatement fee plus the usual fees.
What happens if a Tennessee student drops out?
When a student aged 15 or older withdraws, the school notifies the Department of Safety, which can suspend driving privileges.
| Situation | Effect on your license |
|---|---|
| First withdrawal | Not eligible until you return to school and make satisfactory progress, or turn 18 |
| Second or later withdrawal | Driving privileges suspended until your 18th birthday |
The Comptroller’s 2010 summary also describes unexcused-absence limits for students in GED courses. Check the current rules with your school or Driver Services if this applies to you.
Where this fits in the Tennessee license process
You need the school proof for the learner permit. Expect to show proof again when you apply for a license before 18, since the rule applies at the time of each application. For the rest of the route, see learning to drive in Tennessee and the Intermediate Restricted license rules. Identity documents are covered in REAL ID and your first license.
Common questions
What school attendance form do I need for a Tennessee permit?
Form SF-1010, the Certification of Compulsory School Attendance, completed by your school.
Can I use an SF-1010 from last semester?
No. It is valid for 30 days, except over the summer when school is out.
Is there a minimum grade to get a Tennessee license?
The law requires satisfactory progress, not a set grade. Your school decides whether you meet it when it completes the form.
I graduated early at 17. Do I still need the SF-1010?
No. Bring your diploma or GED certificate instead.
Can I lose my license for dropping out of school in Tennessee?
Yes. A first withdrawal can suspend your privileges until you return and make progress or turn 18. A second withdrawal suspends them until 18.
Sources
- Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual” (information as of July 1, 2022) (tn.gov)
- Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, Office of Research and Education Accountability, “Tennessee’s Graduated Driver Licensing Law” (comptroller.tn.gov)