What You're Actually Submitting

Texas uses a single form for both driver licenses and identification cards: Form DL-44. You fill it out once, in person, at a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office. The form itself is not mailed in — you bring it with you, completed or blank, and a DPS employee will help you finish it if needed. The real work is gathering the documents that go with it, not the form itself.

The form asks for your name, address, Social Security number, date of birth, and physical description. It also asks whether you want to register as an organ donor and whether you consent to sharing your information with law enforcement. You will answer questions about medical conditions, traffic violations, and whether you have ever had a license suspended or revoked in Texas or another state.

You do not mail Form DL-44. You bring it to your appointment, or you can arrive without it and the office will give you one to complete on-site. Either way, you will sign it in front of a DPS employee, and they will process it when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Form DL-44 is completed in person at a DPS office, not mailed ahead of time, though you can bring a completed copy if you prefer.
  • You must bring your original documents (birth certificate, proof of residency, Social Security card or tax return) along with the form; the form alone is not enough.
  • The form includes questions about your medical history, driving record in other states, and whether you consent to organ donation and law enforcement data sharing.
  • A DPS employee will review your form and documents before you take your vision and written tests, so errors can be corrected on the spot.
  • You pay the license fee when you submit the form; there is no separate payment step later.

Documents You Must Bring to the DPS Office

Form DL-44 is only one piece. Texas requires you to bring originals (not copies) of five categories of documents: proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, proof of Texas residency, proof of lawful presence, and your completed form.

For proof of identity, bring your birth certificate (certified copy with the raised seal), a foreign passport, a U.S. passport, or a military ID. For proof of Social Security number, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return with your SSN on it. For proof of Texas residency, bring a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or property tax bill dated within the last 30 days, or a bank statement, insurance policy, or government check dated within the last 60 days. All documents must show your current address.

For proof of lawful presence, U.S. citizens bring their birth certificate (which also counts as identity proof). Non-citizens bring their passport, visa, employment authorization document (EAD), or permanent resident card. If you are a non-citizen without one of these, you cannot get a standard driver license; you may be able to get a license valid only for driving, not federal ID purposes, but that requires different documents.

Bring originals. DPS will not accept photocopies, faxes, or digital images. If your birth certificate is a short form (wallet-sized), it will not work — you need the full certified copy with the state seal.

How to Complete Form DL-44 Before You Go

You can read Form DL-44 from the Texas DPS website before your appointment and fill it out at home. Print it on white paper, single-sided. Use black or blue ink and print clearly — do not use pencil. If you make a mistake, cross it out with a single line and initial the change; do not use white-out or erasers.

Fill in every field that applies to you. Leave blank any field that does not explore (for example, if you have never held a license in another state, leave that section empty). The form asks for your full legal name as it appears on your birth certificate, your date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY format, your height in feet and inches, your eye color, and your hair color. It also asks whether you wear corrective lenses and whether you have any medical conditions that affect your driving.

Answer the questions about your driving history honestly. If you have ever had a license suspended, revoked, or denied in Texas or any other state, you must disclose it. If you have been convicted of certain traffic offenses or drug-related crimes, you must disclose those too. Lying on the form can result in denial of your license and potential criminal charges.

Sign and date the form. You will also sign it again in front of the DPS employee, so your signature here does not have to be perfect, but it should be legible.

What Happens When You Submit the Form at the DPS Office

Arrive at your scheduled appointment with your completed Form DL-44 and all required documents. A DPS employee will review your form and documents to make sure everything is there and matches. If something is missing or incorrect, they will tell you on the spot and may ask you to correct it or provide a different document.

Once your documents are verified, you will take a vision test (reading an eye chart) and a written knowledge test (multiple-choice questions about Texas traffic laws). You will also have your photo taken and your fingerprints scanned. The DPS employee will ask you to sign the form again in their presence. This signature is the one that counts legally.

You will then pay the license fee. As of 2024, a standard five-year driver license costs $45 for first-time applicants in Texas, but fees can change. An identification card costs $16. Ask the office what the current fee is when you call to schedule your appointment.

Your temporary license will be printed on paper and given to you when ready. Your permanent card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can drive using the temporary license until the card arrives.

Common Mistakes on Form DL-44

The most common error is writing your name differently than it appears on your birth certificate. If your birth certificate says "Robert James Smith" but you write "Bob Smith" on the form, the DPS employee will catch it and ask you to correct it. Use your legal name exactly as the state issued it.

Another frequent mistake is bringing a short-form or wallet-sized birth certificate instead of the full certified copy. Short forms do not include all the information DPS needs and will not be accepted. Order a certified copy from the vital records office in the county where you were born if you do not have the full version.

Some applicants leave fields blank when they should fill them in, or write "N/A" instead of leaving the field empty. Follow the form's instructions: if a field asks a yes-or-no question and the answer is no, check the "no" box. If a field asks for information that does not explore to you, leave it blank.

Do not use pencil, and do not use white-out. If you make a mistake, draw a single line through the error, write the correction next to it, and initial the change. The DPS employee can also help you correct errors when you arrive, so do not worry if your form is not perfect.

If You Cannot Attend Your Appointment

If you need to reschedule, contact the DPS office where you have an appointment at least 24 hours before your scheduled time. You can reschedule online through the Texas DPS website or by calling the office directly. If you miss your appointment without canceling, you may lose your spot and have to wait for the next available opening, which can be several weeks away depending on your location.

If you are unable to come in person, you cannot get a driver license or ID card by mail. Texas requires all applicants to appear in person for vision testing, the written test, and a photo. There is no exception to this rule, even for people with disabilities or those who live far from a DPS office. If you have a disability that makes it difficult to visit an office, contact DPS ahead of time to discuss accommodations.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Texas requires you to appear in person at a DPS office. You must take a vision test and a written test, have your photo taken, and sign the form in front of an employee. The form cannot be mailed in or submitted online.

What if I do not have a birth certificate?

You can use a foreign passport, U.S. passport, or military ID as proof of identity instead. However, you still need proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, 1099, or tax return). If you are a non-citizen without a passport, contact the DPS office to ask what documents you can bring.

Do I have to answer the organ donor question?

No. The organ donor question is optional. You can check "yes," "no," or leave it blank. Your answer does not affect whether you get a license. If you want to register as an organ donor, you can also do so separately through the Texas Donate Life registry.

What if I made a mistake on my form after I submitted it?

If you notice an error after you have signed the form in front of the DPS employee, contact the DPS office where you applied. Depending on the error, you may need to visit in person again to correct it, or the office may be able to update your record by phone or mail. Contact them as soon as you notice the problem.

Can someone else submit the form for me?

No. You must submit the form yourself and be present for the vision test, written test, photo, and signature. A parent, guardian, or representative cannot do this on your behalf, even if you are under 18.