What the DL 44 form is and who needs it

The DL 44 is California's official process form for a driver's license or identification card. You fill it out and bring it to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in person — you cannot submit it by mail or online. The form itself is free, and the DMV provides it at every office or you can print it before you go.

You need the DL 44 if you are explore for your first California driver's license, renewing an expired license, or switching from an out-of-state license to a California one. If you want an ID card instead of a driver's license (meaning you do not drive), you still use the same form. The DL 44 is also the form you use if you are upgrading to a commercial driver's license (CDL) or adding endorsements like motorcycle or school bus.

The form has two sides and takes about five minutes to complete by hand. Most of the questions are straightforward — name, address, date of birth — but a few sections trip people up, especially the vision and medical history parts. The DMV staff can help you fill it out if you arrive without one completed, but showing up with it already done moves you through the line faster.

Key Takeaways

  • The DL 44 is a two-sided paper form you must complete and bring to a DMV office in person; you cannot submit it remotely.
  • You need a valid document proving your identity (passport, birth certificate, or consulate ID) and proof of your California residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement) before you go.
  • The form asks about your vision, medical conditions, and driving history — answer honestly because the DMV verifies some answers and false statements can delay or deny your process.
  • Bring your completed DL 44, your documents, and your current out-of-state license if you have one; the DMV will take your photo and conduct a vision test on the spot.

Documents you must bring with your DL 44

The DMV requires two categories of documents: proof of identity and proof of California residency. You cannot get a license without both, so check what you have before you go to the office.

For proof of identity, the DMV accepts a U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, consulate ID, or a valid driver's license from another state or country. If you are under 18, a school ID or tribal ID may work, but call your local DMV office first to confirm. The document must not be expired, though a passport or birth certificate does not expire in the traditional sense.

For proof of residency, bring a document dated within the last 60 days showing your current California address. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement all work. If you live with someone else and the bill is in their name, bring a signed letter from them saying you live there, plus the bill. A driver's license from another state does not count as proof of residency, even if it shows a California address.

If you are explore for the first time and do not have a current out-of-state license, bring your completed DL 44, your identity document, and your residency document. If you are renewing or switching from another state, also bring your current or expired license — the DMV will keep it.

How to complete each section of the DL 44

The form is divided into sections. Print clearly in black or blue ink, or type it before you arrive. Do not use pencil.

Personal information (top of page 1): Fill in your full legal name, date of birth, and current address exactly as it appears on your identity document. If you have changed your name, you will need to bring a court order or marriage certificate proving the change. The DMV uses this section to check for duplicate licenses or outstanding tickets under other names.

Physical description (middle of page 1): Height, weight, and eye color. Be accurate — the DMV compares this to your photo later, and large discrepancies can flag your process. If you wear corrective lenses, mark "yes" in the vision section; you will take a vision test at the office.

Medical and vision history (lower page 1): The form asks whether you have conditions like epilepsy, diabetes, heart disease, or sleep apnea, and whether you take medications that affect driving. Answer honestly. The DMV does not automatically deny you for these conditions, but it may require a medical evaluation or impose restrictions (like daytime-only driving). Lying on this section can result in denial and is a criminal misdemeanor in California.

Driving history (page 2): List any traffic violations, accidents, or suspensions from the past three years. The DMV has your record already, so omitting something will be caught. If you have an out-of-state suspension or revocation, disclose it — the DMV will likely impose the same restriction in California.

Signature and date (bottom of page 2): Sign and date the form in the spaces provided. Your signature must match the one on your identity document reasonably closely. If you cannot sign due to a disability, the DMV can accommodate you — tell staff when you arrive.

What happens when you submit the DL 44 at the DMV

Bring your completed form, documents, and current license (if you have one) to any DMV office. You will check in and take a number. When called, hand everything to the clerk. They will verify your documents, check your information against their database, and ask clarifying questions if something does not match.

Next, you will go to the vision station. An employee will test your eyesight using a machine. If you wear glasses or contacts, you can wear them during the test. If you fail the vision test, you cannot get a license that day — you will need to see an eye doctor, get a report, and return with it.

Then you will have your photo taken. Wear something you do not mind being photographed in; the photo will be on your license for up to 10 years. You cannot wear a hat, sunglasses, or head covering unless for religious reasons, and your face must be clearly visible.

Finally, you will pay the fee. The cost varies depending on whether you are getting a license or ID card and how long you want it valid for (typically four, six, or eight years). The DMV accepts cash, debit, and credit cards. Once you pay, you are done — your temporary license is printed on the spot, and your plastic card arrives by mail in one to three weeks.

Common mistakes that delay or deny your DL 44

Incomplete or illegible forms are the most common reason for rejection. If your handwriting is hard to read or you skip sections, the DMV will ask you to fill out a new form. Bring a pen and write slowly.

Mismatched information is another frequent problem. If your name on the DL 44 does not match your identity document exactly — including middle name, spelling, or order — the DMV will not process it. If you have changed your name, bring the legal document proving it (marriage certificate, court order, or divorce decree).

Missing or expired documents will stop you at the door. Proof of residency must be dated within 60 days. If your utility bill is older than that, bring a more recent one or a different document. An expired passport or ID still works as proof of identity, but an expired California driver's license does not count as proof of residency.

Dishonesty about medical conditions or driving history can result in denial and may trigger an investigation. The DMV has access to your driving record from every state and can verify medical information through your doctor. If you are unsure whether to disclose something, disclose it — the DMV is more likely to work with you if you are honest upfront.

If your DL 44 is denied or you need to reapply

The DMV will tell you on the spot if your process is denied and why. Common reasons include failing the vision test, providing expired or invalid documents, or having an active suspension or revocation in California or another state.

If you failed the vision test, you must see an optometrist or ophthalmologist and bring a report showing you meet California's vision standards (20/40 or better in each eye, or 20/40 in one eye and 20/70 in the other with both eyes open). Some DMV offices have a list of approved eye doctors you can visit same-day.

If your documents were invalid or expired, get new ones and return. Proof of residency must be current, so if your utility bill was too old, wait for the next one or bring a different document.

If you have an active suspension or revocation, you cannot get a license until it is lifted. Contact the DMV to find out why your license is suspended — it may be for unpaid tickets, a failed medical evaluation, or a DUI conviction. Once the reason is resolved, you can reapply with a new DL 44.

There is no fee to reapply if you were denied, but you will need to start over with a new form and documents. The DMV does not hold your process — each visit is treated as a new one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I submit the DL 44 by mail instead of going to the DMV office?

No. California requires you to appear in person at a DMV office to submit the DL 44, take a vision test, and have your photo taken. You cannot mail it in or submit it online. Some DMV services can be done by mail or online, but a new driver's license or ID card process is not one of them.

What if I do not have proof of residency dated within the last 60 days?

You will need to get a current document. If your utility bill is older than 60 days, wait for the next one or bring a different document like a lease, mortgage statement, or recent bank statement. If you just moved and have no bills in your name yet, a signed letter from your landlord or a family member you live with, plus their utility bill, may work — call your local DMV office to confirm before you go.

Do I have to disclose a medical condition on the DL 44 if I do not think it affects my driving?

Yes. The form asks about specific conditions, and you must answer honestly. The DMV does not automatically deny you for having a condition — it may just require a medical evaluation or impose restrictions. Lying on the form is a criminal offense in California and can result in denial and legal consequences.

How long does it take to get my plastic license card after I submit the DL 44?

The DMV prints a temporary paper license on the spot that is valid when ready. Your plastic card is mailed to the address on your DL 44 and usually arrives within one to three weeks. If it does not arrive after four weeks, contact the DMV to report it missing.

Can I change my address on the DL 44 after I submit it?

If you have not yet received your plastic card, contact the DMV and ask them to update your address before it is mailed. If your card has already been mailed to the old address, you can update your address online through the DMV website or at any DMV office. You do not need to reapply — just update your record.