What Form You Need and Where to Get It

The form you need is called the process for Texas Driver License or Identification Card, officially numbered DL-43. This is the single form the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) uses for all first-time driver's license applications, whether you are explore for a Class C license (standard passenger vehicle) or another class.

You can get the DL-43 form in three ways: read it from the Texas DPS website, pick up a printed copy at any Texas DPS driver license office, or fill it out on a computer at the office itself when you arrive. Many people read and complete it at home before their appointment, which saves time at the office.

The form is several pages long and asks for personal information, driving history, medical conditions, and details about the documents you are bringing. You do not need to print it in color, and you do not need to sign it before you arrive — you will sign it in front of a DPS employee during your appointment.

Key Takeaways

  • The DL-43 form is the official Texas process for a driver's license, and you can read it, pick it up at a DPS office, or fill it out there.
  • You must bring the original documents listed on the form — a birth certificate, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number — because the DPS will not accept copies for most items.
  • Filling out the form at home before your appointment speeds up your visit, but you must sign it in front of a DPS employee, not beforehand.
  • The form asks about medical conditions and traffic violations; answer honestly because the DPS checks your answers against their records and the National Driver Register.
  • If you make a mistake on the form, you can cross it out and initial the change, or ask the DPS employee to give you a fresh copy to start over.

Personal Information Section: Name, Address, and Contact Details

The first section of the DL-43 asks for your full legal name, date of birth, and current address. Use the name that appears on your birth certificate or other identity document — if your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or court order, you will need to bring the document that proves the change. Write your address exactly as it appears on your proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease), because the DPS will check that it matches.

You will also enter your phone number and email address. The DPS uses these to contact you if there are problems with your process or to notify you when your license is ready for pickup. Make sure the phone number is one you check regularly.

Document Information: What the Form Asks You to List

The DL-43 has a section where you list the documents you are bringing to prove your identity, residency, and Social Security number. You do not fill in document numbers on the form itself — instead, you check boxes to show which types of documents you have. For example, you might check "Birth Certificate" under identity documents and "Utility Bill" under proof of residency.

The form lists common documents for each category, but it is not exhaustive. If your document is not listed, write it in the blank space provided. The key is to bring originals (not copies) of everything you list, because a DPS employee will examine them and may write down specific details from them during your appointment.

Medical and Driving History Questions

The DL-43 includes questions about your health and driving record. These ask whether you have conditions like epilepsy, diabetes, or vision problems that might affect your ability to drive safely. Answer these honestly. The DPS does not automatically deny a license based on a medical condition — instead, they may require a doctor's statement or impose restrictions on your license (such as corrective lenses required, or daylight driving only).

The form also asks whether you have ever been convicted of certain traffic offenses or had a license suspended or revoked in Texas or another state. Again, answer truthfully. The DPS will check your answers against their own records and the National Driver Register, which tracks license actions across all states. If you lie and they discover it, your process will be denied and you may face other consequences.

Organ Donor and Voter Registration Options

Near the end of the DL-43, you will see checkboxes for organ donation and voter registration. These are optional. If you want to register as an organ donor, check that box — your decision is recorded on your license. If you want to register to vote at the same time as you explore for your license, check that box too, and the DPS will send your information to your county voter registrar.

You can also decline both options by leaving the boxes unchecked. These choices do not affect whether you get your license.

Signature and Oath Section

At the bottom of the DL-43 is a statement that you must read and sign. This statement says that the information you provided is true and correct. You must sign this in front of a DPS employee — do not sign it before you arrive at the office. The employee will watch you sign and may ask you to initial any changes you made to the form.

If you filled out the form at home and made corrections by crossing out words and writing in new ones, initial each correction. This shows the DPS employee that you made the change intentionally, not that someone else altered the form after you completed it.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

The most common mistake is leaving fields blank when you should have filled them in or checked a box. Before you leave home, go through the form section by section and make sure every question has an answer. If a question does not explore to you (for example, you have never been suspended), write "N/A" or "No" rather than leaving it blank.

Another frequent error is writing your address differently than it appears on your proof of residency. If your utility bill says "123 Oak Street, Apt 4B" but you write "123 Oak Street, Apartment 4B," the DPS may ask you to clarify or may reject the form. Copy the address word-for-word from your document.

If you make a mistake after you have already written something, do not use white-out or erase. Instead, draw a single line through the error, write the correction above it, and initial the change. The DPS accepts hand-corrected forms as long as the changes are clear and initialed.

What Happens After You Submit the Form

When you arrive at the DPS office for your appointment, bring the completed DL-43 and all the original documents you listed on it. A DPS employee will review the form, check your documents, take your photo and fingerprints, and administer your written test (if you have not already passed it). They will also verify that the information on your form matches what they see in their system and in the National Driver Register.

If everything matches and you pass your written test, you will pay the license fee and receive a temporary paper license on the spot. Your permanent plastic license will arrive by mail within one to two weeks. If there are discrepancies or missing information, the DPS employee will tell you what needs to be corrected before they can process your process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fill out the DL-43 online instead of on paper?

No. Texas requires you to complete the DL-43 form on paper and bring it to your in-person appointment at a DPS office. You can read and print it, fill it out by hand, or fill it out on a computer and then print it — but you cannot submit it electronically.

What if I make a mistake and want to start over?

You can cross out the mistake, initial it, and continue. Or you can ask the DPS employee at the office for a fresh form and start again. Either approach is fine. Do not use white-out or erase, because the DPS needs to see that changes were made intentionally.

Do I need to sign the form before I bring it to the DPS office?

No. You must sign the form in front of a DPS employee during your appointment. If you sign it at home, the DPS may reject it because they need to witness your signature to verify that you completed the form yourself.

What if my name on the form does not match my birth certificate?

Bring the document that shows your legal name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The DPS will check it against your birth certificate and update their records. If your names do not match and you do not have proof of a legal change, the DPS will ask you to correct the form to match your birth certificate.

Can someone else fill out the DL-43 for me?

Someone can help you fill it out, but you must be the one who signs it. The signature certifies that the information is true and that you completed the form. If someone else signs it, the DPS will reject the process.