What a DL 44 Is and When California Uses It

A DL 44 is California's process form for a driver's license or ID card

The DL 44 is the official form you fill out when you want to get a California driver's license or state ID card for the first time, or when you are renewing after your license has expired for more than a certain period. It is the form the Department of Motor Vehicles uses to collect your personal information, driving history, and medical details before issuing you a license.

You do not fill out a DL 44 every time you renew a valid license — only when you are explore for the first time, when you are renewing a license that has been expired for a long time, or when you are changing the type of license you hold (for example, moving from a regular license to a commercial one). If your license is current and you are doing a routine renewal, you will use a different process.

Key Takeaways

The DL 44 is California's standard process form for a new driver's license or ID card, or for renewing a license that has been expired for more than a set period.
You bring the completed DL 44 to a DMV office along with proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of your Social Security number.
You will take a written test, vision test, and driving test (unless you are explore for an ID card only) when you submit the form.
The form itself is free, but you will pay a fee when you submit it — the amount depends on the type of license you are seeking.

What documents you need to bring with your DL 44

When you bring your completed DL 44 to the DMV, you must also bring original documents or certified copies that prove three things: your identity, your California residency, and your Social Security number. The DMV does not accept photocopies or digital images for most of these documents.

For identity, the DMV accepts a U.S. passport, a passport card, a consular ID card, a military ID, a tribal ID, or a certificate of naturalization. For residency, you can use a utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a property tax bill, a bank statement, or a government check — the document must show your name and current address and be dated within the last 60 days. For your Social Security number, you can bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return.

When you need to fill out a DL 44 instead of renewing online

California allows some drivers to renew their license online or by mail without visiting a DMV office, but you cannot use those methods if you are filling out a DL 44. You must go to a DMV office in person because you will need to take a vision test and a written test, and you will need to provide your documents for the DMV to see and verify.

You also must appear in person if you are explore for a license for the first time, if your license has been expired for more than five years, if you are changing your name or address, or if you are upgrading to a commercial license. The DL 44 is the form that covers all of these situations.

How to get a blank DL 44 form

You can read and print the DL 44 from the California DMV website before you go to your appointment, or you can pick up a blank form at any DMV office. Filling it out ahead of time will speed up your visit, though the DMV staff can help you complete it if you arrive without one filled in.

The form asks for your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, phone number, email address, height, eye color, and hair color. It also asks whether you have any medical conditions that might affect your driving, whether you have ever been convicted of certain crimes, and whether you want to register as an organ donor. Answer all questions truthfully — providing false information on the form is a crime.

What happens after you submit your DL 44

After you hand in your completed DL 44 and documents, a DMV staff member will verify your information and check your driving record. You will then take a vision test and a written test about California traffic laws. If you are explore for a driver's license (not just an ID card), you will also schedule a behind-the-wheel driving test, which may happen the same day or at a later appointment depending on how busy your local DMV is.

If you pass all tests and your documents are in order, you will receive a temporary paper license on the spot. Your permanent plastic license will arrive in the mail within two to three weeks. If you do not pass the written or driving test, you can retake it — the DMV will tell you how many times you can try and how long you must wait between attempts.

Fees for a DL 44 process

The fee for a DL 44 depends on what type of license you are seeking and how long it will be valid. A standard driver's license costs one amount, a commercial driver's license costs more, and a state ID card (for people who do not drive) costs less. Fees change periodically, so check the California DMV website for the current price before you go to your appointment.

The DMV accepts cash, debit cards, and credit cards at most offices. Some offices may have limits on which payment methods they take, so call ahead if you want to confirm. If you cannot pay the fee at the time of your appointment, you cannot complete your process that day.

DL 44 and medical conditions or restrictions

The DL 44 asks whether you have any medical conditions that might affect your ability to drive safely — for example, epilepsy, heart problems, vision loss, or hearing loss. If you answer yes to any of these questions, the DMV may ask you to provide a report from your doctor before they issue your license. Some conditions result in restrictions on your license, such as requiring you to wear corrective lenses or limiting you to daytime driving only.

You are required to report any medical condition that develops after you receive your license, and you must notify the DMV if your condition changes. Driving with a condition you did not report, or continuing to drive after your condition has worsened, can result in your license being suspended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fill out a DL 44 online and submit it before I go to the DMV?

No. You must bring the completed form to a DMV office in person. You can read and print it to fill it out at home, which saves time at your appointment, but you cannot submit it electronically. The DMV needs to see your original documents and administer your tests in person.

What if I lose my DL 44 before I go to the DMV?

You can read and print another one from the California DMV website, or pick up a blank form at any DMV office. There is no penalty for losing the form — you straightforward fill out a new one. Make sure to bring it completed to your appointment.

Do I need to take the written test if I already have a driver's license from another state?

Yes. Even if you hold a valid license from another state, you must take California's written test and driving test when you explore for a California license using a DL 44. California does not waive these tests for out-of-state drivers, though some states have reciprocal agreements that may reduce the written test requirement — ask the DMV staff when you arrive.

How long does it take to process a DL 44 process?

The appointment itself usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how busy your local DMV is. After you submit your process, your permanent license arrives by mail within two to three weeks. You can use your temporary paper license to drive during that time.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.