What a DL 44 is and when you need it
The DL 44 is California's official process form for a driver's license or identification card. You fill it out in person at a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office when you're ready to get your first license, renew an expired one, or change your address or name. The form itself is one page, but the documents you bring with it matter more than the form — the DMV uses what you submit to verify your identity and residency.
You do not mail the DL 44 in. You bring it, completed or blank, to your local DMV office along with your supporting documents. DMV staff can help you fill it out if you arrive with questions, though many people complete it at home first to save time in line.
Key Takeaways
- The DL 44 is a one-page form you complete in person at a California DMV office; you cannot submit it by mail or online.
- You must bring proof of identity, proof of California residency, and your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number to complete the process.
- The form asks for your legal name, date of birth, address, and driving history, but the documents in your packet carry more weight than the form itself.
- Processing time at the DMV typically ranges from 30 minutes to several hours depending on office location and how busy it is that day.
- If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must sign the form, and you may face additional restrictions on your license type.
Documents you must bring to the DMV
California requires two categories of documents: proof of identity and proof of residency. You cannot complete a DL 44 without both. Proof of identity means a document issued by a government agency that shows your name, date of birth, and photograph — a passport, birth certificate, or previous California ID card all work. If you do not have a photo ID yet, a birth certificate plus one additional identity document (such as a school ID or baptism certificate) is usually acceptable.
Proof of residency means a document showing your current California address issued within the last 60 days. Utility bills, lease agreements, mortgage statements, and bank statements all count. A piece of mail from a government agency works too. You need only one residency document, but it must show your full name and current address. If you recently moved and your documents show an old address, bring the new lease or utility bill along with an explanation of the move.
You will also need your Social Security number or, if you do not have one, your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Bring the card or a document that shows it. If you are a non-citizen, bring your passport and any visa or immigration documents you have.
How to fill out the form itself
The DL 44 has sections for your legal name (first, middle, last), date of birth, current address, phone number, email, and Social Security number or ITIN. Write your legal name as it appears on your birth certificate or passport — this is the name that will print on your license. If you have changed your name, bring the court order or marriage certificate that documents the change.
The form also asks whether you have a California driver's license already, whether you have ever been convicted of certain crimes, and whether you have any medical conditions that affect your driving. Answer these questions truthfully. The DMV cross-checks your answers against state and federal records, and lying on the form can result in denial or revocation of your license.
If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign the form in the presence of a DMV employee. Bring the parent or guardian with you to your appointment. If you are 18 or older, you sign the form yourself at the DMV office — do not sign it beforehand.
Vision and written test requirements
After you submit your DL 44 and documents, the DMV will test your vision on the spot. You must be able to read a standard eye chart from a certain distance. If you wear glasses or contacts, wear them to your appointment. If you fail the vision test, you can retake it, but you may be required to see an eye doctor and bring a report before the DMV will issue your license.
You will also take a written test covering California traffic laws and road signs. The test is typically 36 questions, and you must answer at least 30 correctly to pass. You can study using the California Driver Handbook, which the DMV provides free online and in print at every office. Many people study the handbook for a few days before their appointment. If you fail the written test, you can retake it the same day or schedule another appointment.
If you are under 18, you must also complete a behind-the-wheel driving test with a DMV examiner. Adults 18 and older can sometimes waive the driving test if they hold a valid out-of-state license, but California residents renewing an expired license still need to pass the written and vision tests.
What happens after you submit the form
Once the DMV accepts your DL 44 and you pass the vision and written tests, they will take your photograph and fingerprints. Your temporary license (a paper receipt) is valid for 60 days while the DMV processes your process and prints your plastic card. The plastic card arrives by mail within two to three weeks in most cases, though delays can extend this to four to six weeks.
If the DMV needs more information or documents, they will mail you a notice. Check your mailbox regularly during the processing period. If you do not receive your card within six weeks, contact your local DMV office with your process number (printed on your temporary license) to check the status.
Age-specific rules for drivers under 18
California issues a different type of license to drivers under 18 called a provisional license. To get one, you must be at least 15 years and 6 months old, have held a learner's permit for at least six months, and have a parent or guardian sign your DL 44 in front of a DMV employee. You will also need to complete a behind-the-wheel test with a DMV examiner.
A provisional license comes with restrictions: you cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. (with some exceptions for school, work, or medical emergencies), and you cannot have passengers under 20 years old unless a licensed adult 25 or older is in the car. These restrictions lift when you turn 18, at which point you can renew your license as a full adult license.
If you are renewing or replacing an existing license
If your California license is expired or about to expire, you can renew it by mail, online, or in person. A mail or online renewal is faster and does not require a DL 44 form — you only use the DL 44 if you are getting your first license, changing your address or name, or renewing in person at the DMV office. If you choose to renew in person, you will fill out a DL 44 and go through the vision and written tests again.
If your license was lost, stolen, or damaged, you can replace it by submitting a DL 44 in person. Bring your proof of identity and residency as usual. You do not need to retake the written test for a replacement, only the vision test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fill out the DL 44 online before I go to the DMV?
No. The DL 44 must be completed in person at a DMV office. You can print a blank copy and fill it out at home to save time, but a DMV employee must verify your information and watch you sign it. Some DMV offices let you fill it out on a computer terminal at the office itself.
What if I do not have a Social Security number?
You can use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. Bring the card or a document showing your ITIN. If you have neither, contact your local DMV office to ask about alternative documentation — some non-citizens may be able to proceed with other forms of identification.
How long does it take to get my license after I submit the DL 44?
You receive a temporary paper license when ready after passing the vision and written tests. Your plastic card arrives by mail in two to three weeks under normal circumstances, though processing can take up to six weeks. You can drive on the temporary license during this time.
Do I need an appointment to submit a DL 44, or can I just walk in?
Most California DMV offices now require appointments, which you can book online at the DMV website. Walk-ins are sometimes accepted, but you may wait several hours. Booking an appointment online typically gets you in and out faster.
What if I fail the written test?
You can retake the written test the same day at most DMV offices, or you can schedule another appointment. There is no limit to how many times you can retake it. Study the California Driver Handbook between attempts — it covers all the material on the test.