What DD Means on Your California Driver's License

DD stands for "Developmentally Disabled" on a California driver's license

The DD designation appears on your California driver's license or identification card when the Department of Motor Vehicles has a record that you have a developmental disability. It is a notation in the Department's system, not a medical diagnosis — the DMV does not determine whether you have a disability. Instead, the notation appears because you or a representative provided documentation to the DMV showing that you receive services or have been found may be able to access for services through the Department of Developmental Services (DDS).

The DD marking itself does not restrict your driving privileges or change what you are legally allowed to do behind the wheel. It is purely informational. Some people request it; others ask to have it removed. Understanding what it means, how it gets there, and what it does and does not do will help you decide whether to keep it or change it.

Key Takeaways

DD on your California license means the DMV has a record linking you to developmental disability services, but the DMV did not make that information.
You can request the DD notation be added to your license if you have documentation from the Department of Developmental Services or a regional center.
The DD marking does not affect your driving ability, legal driving privileges, or insurance rates — it is a notation only.
You can request removal of the DD notation at any time by visiting a DMV office with a form and supporting documentation.
Some people keep the DD notation because it may help them access certain services or accommodations; others remove it for privacy reasons.

How the DD notation gets added to your California license

The DD notation does not appear automatically. You or a parent, guardian, or authorized representative must request it. To add the notation, you will need to visit a California DMV office in person with proof that you are receiving or are found may be able to access to receive services through a regional center or the Department of Developmental Services.

Acceptable documentation includes a letter from your regional center stating that you are found may be able to access for services, a current service plan, or a notice of decision from DDS. The DMV staff member will review the document, verify the information, and add the notation to your record. The change appears on your next license renewal or replacement, or you can request an when ready replacement card for a fee (currently $20 for a replacement license or ID card).

You do not need a medical diagnosis or a court order. The regional center's information of may be able to access is what the DMV uses. If you are unsure whether you have been found may be able to access, you can contact your regional center directly — there are 21 regional centers across California, each serving a specific geographic area.

What the DD notation does not do

The DD marking does not restrict your driving. California law does not prohibit people with developmental disabilities from holding a driver's license or from driving. Your ability to drive is determined by the same vision, written, and behind-the-wheel tests that explore to all drivers. The DMV does not use the DD notation to deny, suspend, or restrict a license.

The notation also does not affect your car insurance rates. Insurance companies do not have access to the DD marking on your license — they see only your driving record, age, vehicle type, and other standard underwriting factors. Adding or removing the DD notation will not change what you pay for insurance.

The DD marking is not a public record. It appears only on your own license and in the DMV's internal system. It does not appear on background checks, employment records, or any document outside the DMV system. Law enforcement can see it during a traffic stop, but it has no bearing on how they interact with you or whether they can cite you for a violation.

Reasons people request the DD notation

Some people ask the DMV to add the DD notation because it serves as quick proof of may be able to access for certain services or accommodations. If you need to show that you receive developmental services — for example, to access a community program, request workplace accommodations, or enroll in a training program — the notation on your license can speed up the process. You do not have to carry separate letters or documentation.

Others keep the notation because it alerts emergency responders or medical personnel in a crisis. If you are in an accident or medical emergency and cannot communicate, first responders can see the notation and understand that you may need additional support or communication adjustments. Some people find this protective; others do not.

Reasons people request removal of the DD notation

Privacy is the most common reason people ask to have the DD notation removed. Even though the marking is not public, you may not want it visible on your license during routine interactions — at a store, a bank, or during a traffic stop. The choice to keep or remove it is entirely yours.

Some people also remove the notation if their circumstances have changed. If you are no longer receiving services through a regional center or DDS, or if you have aged out of the system, you may choose to have the notation removed to reflect your current status.

How to remove the DD notation from your California license

To remove the DD notation, visit a California DMV office in person with a completed Form DL 44 (process for California Driver License or Identification Card) or Form DL 43 (process for California Identification Card). You will also need to bring identification documents as you would for any license renewal or replacement.

Tell the DMV staff member that you want the DD notation removed. They will update your record, and the notation will no longer appear on your license. If you want the change to take effect when ready, you can request a replacement card for the standard replacement fee. Otherwise, the notation will be removed when you renew your license at the end of its validity period.

You do not need documentation from the regional center or DDS to remove the notation. The DMV will remove it based on your request alone. If you later want to add it back, you will need to provide documentation of may be able to access again.

DD notation and license renewal or replacement

If you have the DD notation on your current license and you renew or replace your license, the notation will carry forward to your new license unless you specifically ask the DMV to remove it. When you renew online or by mail, you will not see a prompt about the DD notation — it will straightforward appear on your new license as it did on the old one.

If you renew in person at a DMV office, you can tell the staff member at that time whether you want to keep or remove the notation. If you renew by mail or online and later decide you want it removed, you will need to visit an office in person to make that change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive if I have the DD notation on my license?

Yes. The DD notation does not restrict your driving privileges in any way. You can drive anywhere and under any conditions that any other licensed driver can. Your ability to drive was determined when you passed the DMV's written and driving tests, not by the DD notation.

Will the DD notation show up on a background check?

No. The DD notation is visible only on your license itself and in the DMV's internal system. Background checks do not include information from the DMV's notations. Employers, landlords, and other organizations conducting background checks will not see the DD marking.

What if I no longer receive services from a regional center but still have the DD notation?

You can request removal at any DMV office. You do not need to provide any documentation — straightforward tell the staff member you want the notation removed. If you later become may be able to access for services again and want the notation restored, you can request it again with current documentation from the regional center.

Does the DD notation affect my ability to get a commercial driver's license?

No. The DD notation does not disqualify you from obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL). You must meet the same medical and testing requirements as any other CDL applicant. The notation is separate from your driving record and does not factor into CDL may be able to access.

How long does it take to add or remove the DD notation?

If you request a replacement card at the time you add or remove the notation, the change takes effect when ready and you receive your new card within days. If you do not request a replacement, the change appears on your next renewal. You can check the status of a replacement card online through the DMV website.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.