Excessive absences from school last year led to 40 Highlands County students losing their driving privileges.
In order to improve student attendance and learning, the Florida Department of Education is suspending the licenses of habitual truants and making non-licensed drivers ineligible to apply and receive a driver's license.
Statewide during the 2007-08 school year, 29,007 non-licensed drivers were issued letters stating they were not eligible to apply and receive a driver's license and 8,852 suspension orders were issued.
In Highlands County for the 2007-08 school year, 75 non-licensed drivers were issued letters. Forty students lost their privilege to drive.
Florida law defines a habitual truant as a student who is subject to compulsory school attendance and has 15 or more unexcused absences within 90 calendar days with or without the knowledge or consent of his or her parent or guardian.
School districts are required to transmit student data to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles at least once a week.
Last year in Highlands County, only four students were issued a second suspension.
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