What the DL 44 Form Is and When You Need It

The DL 44 is California's official process form for a first-time driver license or identification card. You fill it out in person at a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office, and it becomes the legal record of your process. The form collects your personal information, driving history (if any), medical conditions that affect driving, and your signature under penalty of perjury.

You need a DL 44 if you are getting your first California driver license, if you are moving to California from another state and want to convert your out-of-state license, or if you are explore for a California ID card instead of a license. The form itself is free, but the license or ID card has a fee that varies by type and age.

You cannot fill out a DL 44 online or mail it in. The DMV requires you to complete it at the office so staff can verify your identity documents and watch you sign the form. Some DMV offices let you fill it out on a computer terminal at the office; others use paper forms. Either way, you bring your documents, complete the form, pass the written test and vision screening, and pay the fee on the same day.

Key Takeaways

  • The DL 44 is a paper or digital form you complete in person at a California DMV office, not online or by mail.
  • You must bring your original identity documents (passport, birth certificate, or state ID) and proof of California residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement) to fill it out.
  • The form asks for your legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, medical history, and signature under penalty of perjury.
  • After you complete the DL 44, you take the written test and vision screening the same day; if you pass, you pay the fee and receive a temporary license.

Documents You Must Bring to Complete the DL 44

California law requires you to prove your identity and residency before the DMV will let you finish the form. Bring originals, not copies, because the DMV staff will inspect them and may make copies for your file.

For proof of identity, bring one of these: a valid U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate (with a raised seal), a valid state ID from another state, a valid driver license from another state, a valid military ID, a valid tribal ID, or a valid visa with an I-94 form. If you are a permanent resident, bring your green card (I-551 form) or your I-797 approval notice. If you are a refugee or asylee, bring your I-797 or I-94 with the refugee or asylee stamp.

For proof of California residency, bring one document dated within the last 60 days that shows your name and current California address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a bank or credit card statement, a pay stub, a property tax bill, or a homeowner's insurance policy. A cell phone bill does not count. If you live with someone else and cannot get a document in your name, bring a signed letter from the person whose name is on the document, plus a copy of that document, plus your own ID.

If you are under 18, bring a parent or legal guardian to the DMV. They must sign the DL 44 form as well, and they must bring their own ID.

How to Fill Out Each Section of the DL 44

The DL 44 has sections for personal information, driving history, medical history, and your declaration. Here is what each section asks and how to answer it correctly.

Personal Information: Write your legal name exactly as it appears on your birth certificate or passport. If you have changed your name, bring the court order or marriage certificate that shows the change. Write your date of birth in the format shown (usually MM/DD/YYYY). Write your Social Security number if you have one; if you do not, the DMV will issue you a number for licensing purposes only. Write your current California address. If you are homeless, write the address of a shelter, a friend's address, or a mailing address where you can receive mail.

Driving History: Answer whether you hold or have held a driver license in California or any other state or country. If yes, write the state or country, your license number, and the date it expired or was suspended. If you have never had a license, write "none." If your license was suspended or revoked, write the reason if you know it; the DMV will look up the details in their system.

Medical History: Answer questions about conditions that affect safe driving: epilepsy, seizures, fainting spells, diabetes, heart disease, vision problems, hearing loss, mental illness, or substance abuse. Answer honestly. If you check "yes" to any condition, the DMV may require a medical report from your doctor before they issue your license. This does not automatically disqualify you; it means the DMV needs more information to decide whether you can drive safely.

Declaration and Signature: Read the statement at the bottom of the form. It says you swear or affirm that the information you provided is true and correct, and that you understand providing false information is perjury. Sign and date the form in front of the DMV staff member. If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must also sign.

What Happens After You Submit the DL 44

Once you hand in the completed form, a DMV staff member will review it for completeness and accuracy. They will check that you brought the required documents and that your information matches what is on those documents. If anything is missing or does not match, they will ask you to correct it or bring another document.

Next, you will take the written knowledge test. This test covers California traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You answer 36 multiple-choice questions on a computer or paper form. You must answer at least 30 questions correctly to pass. If you fail, you can retake the test the same day or come back another day; there is no limit on retakes, but you pay a fee each time.

After you pass the written test, you will have your vision screening. A DMV staff member will test your eyesight using a machine or chart. You must see at least 20/40 in each eye with or without glasses or contacts. If you do not meet this standard, you cannot get a license unless you bring a doctor's letter saying you can drive safely with corrective lenses.

If you pass both the written test and vision screening, you pay the license fee and receive a temporary paper license that is valid for 60 days. Your permanent plastic license card will arrive by mail within two to three weeks. The temporary license has the same legal weight as the permanent card while you are waiting.

Common Mistakes When Filling Out the DL 44

The most common mistake is writing your name differently than it appears on your identity document. If your birth certificate says "Mary Elizabeth Johnson" but you write "Mary Johnson," the DMV will ask you to correct it or bring a name-change document. Do not use a nickname or shortened version.

Another frequent error is leaving the Social Security number field blank when you have a number. The DMV uses your Social Security number to check for duplicate licenses and to verify your identity. If you leave it blank and you have a number, the DMV will ask you to fill it in before they process your form.

Some applicants bring copies of their identity documents instead of originals. The DMV must see and inspect the original document. A photocopy is not acceptable, even if it is notarized.

If you have a medical condition listed on the form, do not assume you will be denied a license. Many people with epilepsy, diabetes, or other conditions drive legally. The DMV just needs information from your doctor to make sure you can drive safely. Lying about a medical condition on the form is perjury and can result in criminal charges, so answer honestly.

Fees and Timeline for Getting Your License After DL 44 Submission

The fee for a first-time driver license depends on your age and the type of license. A standard five-year license for someone 18 or older costs $39 as of 2024, but fees change periodically. A license for someone under 18 costs less. An ID card (non-driver) costs $31. You pay the fee in cash, check, debit card, or credit card at the DMV office on the day you submit your DL 44 and pass your tests.

The timeline is short if everything goes smoothly. You can complete the entire process — fill out the form, take the written test, pass the vision screening, and pay the fee — in one DMV visit, which usually takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on how busy the office is. You leave with a temporary paper license the same day.

Your permanent plastic license arrives by mail within two to three weeks. If it does not arrive within four weeks, contact the DMV to report it. If your temporary license expires before your permanent one arrives, you can request an extension at any DMV office.

If You Need to Retake the Written Test or Vision Screening

If you fail the written test, you can retake it when ready at the same DMV office or return another day. There is no waiting period between attempts. Each retake costs a fee (usually $5 to $10, but check with your local DMV). You do not need to fill out a new DL 44; the DMV keeps your original form on file.

If you fail the vision screening, you have two options. You can bring a doctor's letter stating that you can drive safely with corrective lenses (glasses or contacts), and the DMV will retest you. Or you can get glasses or contacts and return for another vision screening. There is no fee for a retest if you are correcting a vision problem.

If you fail the written test three times, some DMV offices require you to take a driver education course before you can retake the test again. This rule varies by county, so ask the DMV staff what applies in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fill out a DL 44 online or at home before I go to the DMV?

No. California requires you to complete the DL 44 in person at a DMV office so staff can verify your identity documents and watch you sign the form. Some offices have digital kiosks where you can fill it out on a computer terminal, but you still must do it at the office, not at home.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

You can still get a driver license. Write "none" or leave the field blank, and the DMV will issue you a number for licensing purposes only. This number is used only by the DMV and does not affect your taxes or immigration status.

Do I have to answer the medical history questions honestly if I am worried about being denied?

Yes. The DL 44 is signed under penalty of perjury, which means lying on it is a crime. If you have a medical condition, answer honestly. The DMV may ask for a doctor's letter, but that does not automatically disqualify you. Many people with medical conditions drive legally.

What if my proof of residency document is older than 60 days?

The DMV will not accept it. You need a document dated within the last 60 days. If you cannot get one in your name, bring a signed letter from the person whose name is on the document, plus a copy of that document, plus your ID. A utility bill, bank statement, or lease are the easiest to obtain quickly.

Can I use my temporary paper license before my permanent card arrives?

Yes. Your temporary paper license is valid for 60 days and has the same legal weight as the permanent card. You can drive, work, and use it as ID while you wait for your permanent license to arrive by mail.