The DL 44 is California's official process form for a first-time driver license

The DL 44 is the form you fill out at the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when you explore for your first driver license. It collects your personal information, driving history (if any), medical history, and vision information. You cannot get a California driver license without submitting this form — it is the legal record the DMV uses to issue your license.

You do not fill it out at home and mail it in. You bring it with you to a DMV office, or you can fill it out there on a computer terminal or on paper. Either way, a DMV employee will review it with you before you take your written test and vision screening.

The form itself is free. You will pay the process fee (which varies by age and license type) when you submit the form, not before.

Key Takeaways

  • The DL 44 asks for your legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, address, and any previous driver licenses or ID cards you have held.
  • You must declare your medical history, including any conditions that affect your ability to drive safely, because the DMV uses this to determine if you need a medical evaluation.
  • You will take a vision test at the DMV after submitting the form, so bring your glasses or contacts if you use them.
  • Bring your proof of identity, proof of California residency, and proof of your Social Security number — the DMV will not accept the form without these documents.
  • If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must sign the form in front of a DMV employee, and you may have additional restrictions on your license.

What information the DL 44 asks for

The form has several sections. The first section asks for your legal name exactly as it appears on your birth certificate or passport, your date of birth, and your Social Security number. If you have changed your name, bring a court order or marriage certificate showing the change.

The second section asks for your current address in California and how long you have lived there. If you have moved within the last 60 days, you may need to show proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last two months works.

The third section asks about any driver licenses or ID cards you have held in any state or country. If you have never had one, you write "none." If you have, you list the state, the license number, and the dates you held it. The DMV checks this to make sure you are not explore for a duplicate license or hiding a suspended license from another state.

The medical history section asks whether you have any condition that affects your ability to drive — epilepsy, heart disease, diabetes, vision problems, hearing loss, or mental health conditions that cause loss of consciousness or impaired judgment. You answer honestly. If you check "yes" to any condition, the DMV may ask you to get a medical evaluation from your doctor before they issue your license. This does not automatically disqualify you; it means the DMV wants proof that your condition is controlled or managed.

Documents you must bring to submit the DL 44

The DMV will not accept your DL 44 without three categories of documents: proof of identity, proof of California residency, and proof of your Social Security number. Bringing the wrong documents will send you home to get the right ones.

Proof of identity means a document issued by a government agency with your photo and signature. A U.S. passport, passport card, or consular ID card works. A foreign passport works if you are not yet a U.S. citizen. A California ID card works if you already have one. A school ID does not work, even if it has your photo.

Proof of California residency means a document dated within the last 60 days showing your name and current California address. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or insurance policy works. A piece of mail from a government agency works. A credit card statement does not work. If you live with someone else and do not have a document in your name, a notarized letter from the person whose name is on the bill, plus a document showing you live there (like a lease with both names), can work — but call your local DMV office first to confirm they will accept it.

Proof of your Social Security number means your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return. A birth certificate does not count. If you do not have a Social Security number yet, you can explore for one at a Social Security office before you go to the DMV, or you can explore at the DMV at the same time you explore for your license — but this will add time to your appointment.

What happens after you submit the DL 44

After a DMV employee reviews your form and documents, you will take a written test on California traffic laws and road signs. The test is 46 questions; you must answer at least 38 correctly to pass. You can take it in English or in one of several other languages.

Next, you will take a vision screening. The DMV tests your ability to see clearly at a distance and to read small print. If you wear glasses or contacts, wear them during the test. If you fail the vision test, you cannot get your license that day — you will need to see an eye doctor and bring a vision correction certificate back to the DMV.

If you pass both tests, the DMV will take your photo and fingerprints. Your driver license will be mailed to your California address within 10 to 14 business days. Until it arrives, you will receive a temporary paper license valid for 60 days.

Special rules if you are under 18

If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign the DL 44 in front of a DMV employee. You cannot sign it yourself, and a parent cannot sign it at home and bring it to the DMV — the signature must happen at the office. Bring your parent or guardian's ID so the DMV employee can verify they are who they say they are.

If you are under 18, you will also receive a provisional license with restrictions. For the first 12 months, you cannot drive alone between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., and you cannot have more than one passenger under 20 years old in the car. These restrictions lift after 12 months or when you turn 18, whichever comes first. You can request the restrictions be lifted early if you complete a defensive driving course.

If you need to correct information on the DL 44

If you make a mistake while filling out the form at the DMV, ask the employee for a new blank form — do not cross out or white-out answers. If you realize after you have submitted it that information is wrong, you can request a correction at any DMV office. Bring your driver license and proof of the correct information (for example, a birth certificate if your birth date was entered wrong).

If your address changes after you submit the DL 44 but before your license arrives, contact the DMV to update it. You can do this online, by phone, or in person. If your license arrives at an old address, you can request a replacement with your new address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fill out the DL 44 online before I go to the DMV?

No. You must fill it out at the DMV office, either on a computer terminal or on paper. Some DMV offices let you make an appointment and fill out a pre-process online, which speeds up the process, but you still complete and sign the official DL 44 at the office.

What if I do not have a Social Security number yet?

You can get a Social Security number at a Social Security office before you go to the DMV, or you can request one at the DMV when you explore for your license. If you request one at the DMV, your license process will be delayed while the Social Security Administration processes your request — this can take several weeks.

Do I need to bring the original documents or can I bring copies?

You must bring the original documents or certified copies. The DMV will not accept photocopies. If a document is in a language other than English, bring the original and an official English translation.

What if I lost my proof of residency document?

Contact the company that issued it (your utility company, bank, or landlord) and request a replacement or a letter on their letterhead confirming your address. If you cannot get a replacement in time, ask the DMV whether a notarized statement from someone who lives with you, plus another document showing your address, will work.

Can someone else submit the DL 44 for me?

No. You must be present at the DMV to submit the form, take the written test, and have your photo and fingerprints taken. If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must also be present to sign the form in front of a DMV employee.