What Form You Need and Where to Get It

The form you need is the process for Texas Driver License or Identification Card, officially called Form DL-44. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) publishes this form, and you can get it three ways: read it from the DPS website before you go to the office, pick up a copy when you arrive at your local DPS driver license office, or ask the staff to hand you one when you check in.

You do not have to print it ahead of time. Most people fill it out at the office on a clipboard or at a desk they provide. If you prefer to arrive prepared, downloading and printing it at home saves a few minutes, but it is not required. The form is the same whether you are explore for your first license, renewing an expired one, or upgrading from a learner's permit to a full license.

Key Takeaways

  • Form DL-44 is a single page with sections for your name, address, Social Security number, and driving history; you fill it out by hand in blue or black ink.
  • You must bring original documents proving your identity, Texas residency, and Social Security number — a passport or birth certificate, a utility bill or lease, and your Social Security card or tax return.
  • The form asks whether you want to donate organs and whether you have any medical conditions that affect driving; answer honestly because DPS may contact your doctor.
  • You sign the form in front of a DPS employee, not before you arrive; signing it early makes it invalid.
  • Bring the completed form with you to your appointment at a DPS driver license office; staff will not mail you a form to return.

The Six Main Sections of Form DL-44

The form is organized into clear blocks. The first block asks for your full legal name, date of birth, and sex. Use the name that appears on your identity document — if your birth certificate says "Robert" but you go by "Bob," write "Robert" on the form. DPS matches this information against your Social Security record, so it must be exact.

The second block is for your address. Write your current Texas street address, not a P.O. box. If you live in an apartment, include the unit number. The third block asks for your Social Security number, driver's license number (if you are renewing), and your phone number. The fourth block covers your physical description: height, weight, and eye color. Measure yourself honestly; DPS staff will compare you to the form when you arrive.

The fifth block asks about your driving history. You will answer whether you have ever had a license suspended or revoked, whether you have been convicted of certain traffic offenses, and whether you have had any at-fault accidents. Answer "yes" or "no" to each question. If you answer "yes" to any of them, you may need to provide more information or documents, so be truthful — DPS has access to court records and your driving history.

The sixth block asks about medical conditions. It lists conditions like epilepsy, diabetes, and vision problems, and asks whether you have any of them or have been treated for them in the past three years. If you check "yes," DPS may ask your doctor for a report. This is not a reason to lie; many people with managed medical conditions hold valid licenses. The form also asks whether you want to be an organ donor — this is optional and does not affect your license.

Documents You Must Bring With Your Form

Bringing the right documents is as important as filling out the form correctly. DPS requires three categories of proof: identity, Texas residency, and Social Security number. You cannot complete your process without all three.

For identity, bring an original document — not a copy. Acceptable documents include a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a military ID, or a foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa. A school ID or library card will not work. If your birth certificate is a certified copy (issued by the vital records office in the county where you were born), that counts as original.

For Texas residency, bring a document dated within the past 90 days showing your name and current address. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement all work. A cell phone bill counts if it shows your address. A piece of mail from the government — a tax return, a voter registration card, or a notice from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles — also works. A postcard or an advertisement does not.

For your Social Security number, bring your Social Security card itself, or a tax return, W-2, or 1099 form that shows your number. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can still get an ID card, but you will need to bring a letter from the Social Security Administration explaining why you do not have one.

How to Fill Out Each Line Correctly

Use blue or black ink only — pencil or other colors will not be accepted. Write clearly and in capital letters where the form shows capital letters. Do not use cursive for your name or address; print it. If you make a mistake, cross it out with a single line and write the correction above it. Do not use white-out or tape. If the form becomes too messy, ask for a fresh copy.

On the name line, write your full legal name exactly as it appears on your birth certificate or passport. If your legal name includes a suffix — "Jr." or "III" — include it. On the date of birth line, write the date in the format shown on the form, usually MM/DD/YYYY. On the address line, write your street address, city, state, and ZIP code. If you moved recently and your documents show an old address, bring a document dated within 90 days showing your new address.

On the Social Security number line, write all nine digits. On the height and weight lines, write the numbers in the units the form requests — usually inches for height and pounds for weight. On the eye color line, write the color that matches your eyes now, not the color you wish they were. If you wear glasses or contacts, you can still write your natural eye color, but you must wear your correction during the vision test at the office.

For the yes-or-no questions about driving history and medical conditions, circle or check the box next to your answer. Do not leave any question blank. If a question does not explore to you, answer "no." For example, if you have never had a license suspended, answer "no" to that question.

When and Where to Sign the Form

Do not sign the form before you go to the DPS office. The form is only valid when you sign it in front of a DPS employee. When you arrive at your appointment, a staff member will review your form and documents, ask you to verify the information is correct, and then ask you to sign in their presence. They will watch you sign. This is a legal requirement — a form signed at home is not accepted.

Sign your name the same way you sign it on other documents. If you usually sign with a full first and last name, do that. If you usually sign with initials, that is fine too, as long as it is consistent. After you sign, the DPS employee will sign and date the form as well. At that point, your process is official.

What Happens After You Submit the Form

Once you hand in your completed form and documents, a DPS employee will check that everything is there and that the form is filled out completely. They will ask you to verify your address and phone number. They will take your photo and your fingerprints. You will take a vision test and a written test about traffic laws. If you are upgrading from a learner's permit, you will also take a road test with a DPS examiner.

If your form is incomplete or your documents do not meet the requirements, the staff will tell you what is missing and may ask you to go home and come back with the right documents. They will not accept an incomplete process. If everything is in order, you will pay the fee, receive a temporary paper license, and your permanent license will arrive by mail within one to two weeks.

Common Mistakes to Avoid on Form DL-44

The most common mistake is leaving a question blank. Every line on the form must have an answer — either "yes," "no," or the information requested. If you skip a line, the staff will send you back to fill it in. The second most common mistake is writing your name differently than it appears on your identity document. If your passport says "Margaret Anne Smith" but you write "Maggie Smith," DPS will catch the mismatch and ask you to correct it.

Another frequent error is bringing documents that do not meet the requirements. A school ID is not acceptable for identity. A credit card statement is not acceptable for residency if it is older than 90 days. A photocopy of your birth certificate is not acceptable — it must be a certified copy or an original. Bring originals, not copies, unless the form specifically says a copy is acceptable.

Some people sign the form before arriving at the office, thinking it will speed things up. It does the opposite — DPS will reject a pre-signed form and ask you to sign it again in front of staff. A few people also write in pencil or use white-out to correct mistakes. The form must be in blue or black ink, and corrections must be made by crossing out with a single line and writing above it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fill out Form DL-44 online or submit it by mail?

No. You must fill out the form in person at a DPS driver license office and sign it in front of a staff member. DPS does not accept mailed applications or online submissions for a driver's license. You can read the form ahead of time to review it, but you must bring it or a blank copy to the office to complete it.

What if my name on my birth certificate is different from the name I use now?

Write your legal name — the name on your birth certificate — on the form. If you have legally changed your name through marriage, divorce, or a court order, bring the document that shows the change (a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or name change order). DPS will update your record to your current legal name.

Do I need to bring the original of every document, or can I bring copies?

You must bring originals for identity and residency documents. Copies are not accepted. For your Social Security number, you can bring your card, a tax return, a W-2, or a 1099 — originals or copies of these documents are acceptable. Ask the DPS staff if you are unsure whether a document counts as original.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

You can still get a Texas ID card, but you will need a letter from the Social Security Administration explaining why you do not have a number. Contact the Social Security Administration to request this letter before you go to the DPS office. Bring the letter with your other documents.

Can someone else fill out the form for me?

You must sign the form yourself in front of a DPS employee, but another person can help you fill it out if you need information. If you cannot read or write English, DPS can provide an interpreter at the office. Call ahead to request one so staff can arrange it before your appointment.