DL 44 Form CA – California Driver License or ID Card Application
The DL 44 is the California driver license application form and official state ID card application used by the CA DMV. Whether you are getting your very first California driver license, renewing one you have had for decades, replacing a lost card, adding a motorcycle endorsement, or simply getting a non-driver state ID, the form you fill out at the DMV counter. It covers nine different purposes, and there is one rule that catches people off guard every single time: do not sign it until a DMV employee tells you to.
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Form Number DL 44 |
Purposes Covered 9 Purposes |
Submit In Person CA DMV Office |
Sign Part 9 At DMV Counter Only |
What Is the DL 44 Form?
The DL 44 is the California DMV’s Driver License or Identification Card Application, the single form that handles nearly every transaction involving a California driver license or state ID card. From the first time a teenager applies for a learner permit to a senior citizen getting a non-driver ID at age 62 and older, this application is the starting point for all of it.
What makes this form different from most DMV paperwork is that it is an in-person document by design. You can fill in the information fields before your appointment to save time, but you cannot mail it in and you cannot sign it before you get to the counter. The form is printed with “DO NOT DUPLICATE” at the top for a reason, as the CA DMV controls the paper supply to maintain security. You can pick up the ca dmv dl 44 at any DMV office, or download a pre-fillable version from dmv.ca.gov to save time on the day of your visit.
The application covers nine distinct purposes organized into three columns: Driver License transactions, Identification Card transactions, and Name Change or Correction transactions. Most visitors only check one or two boxes in Part 1, and understanding which purpose applies to you before you arrive saves confusion and speeds up your appointment considerably.
The back of the form is where the legal weight of this form becomes clear. It contains medical information you must read before answering Part 5C, disclosure statements about how the DMV uses your Social Security number, voter registration information, organ donor legal language, and a series of certifications that you agree to by signing, including a chemical test consent for DUI stops and explicit warnings about driving under the influence. Every applicant needs to read the back before signing.
Which Purpose Applies to You?
Before filling in a single field, find your purpose in Part 1 and understand which other parts you need to complete. The california DL44 form splits purposes into three columns: Driver License, Identification Card, and Name Change/Correction. The column you fall into determines which parts are required.
🚗 Driver License (DL)
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Original DL / Permit First California license or learner permit |
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Renewal Renewing an existing CA license before or after expiry |
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Duplicate Replacing a lost or stolen CA driver license |
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Change / Add Class Adding motorcycle, Class A, Class B, or removing a restriction |
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Remove Restriction Removing a condition (corrective lenses, etc.) from your license |
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Parts 2 through 8 |
🪪 Identification Card (ID)
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Original ID Card / Renewal Standard state ID for any age |
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Senior ID Card / Renewal Available to applicants age 62 and older |
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Replacement ID Lost or stolen state ID card |
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Parts 2, 3, 5A, 6 & 7 only |
✏️ Name Change / Correction
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DL Name Change / Correction Update name on existing driver license |
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ID Card Name Change / Correction Update name on existing state ID card |
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Parts 2, 3, 5, 6 & 7 only |
Documents to Bring When Filing a Driver License DL 44 Form
This form is just the application, and what you bring to the DMV office to support this form determines whether you leave with your transaction completed. The document requirements vary significantly by purpose. Here is what applies to the most common situations:
🪪 Proof of Identity
For an original license or ID: U.S. birth certificate, valid U.S. passport, permanent resident card, or other primary identity document. Check the CA DMV’s current True Identity document list for all accepted documents.
🔢 Social Security Number
Required by law for most applicants. Your application will be denied if you are eligible for an SSN but don’t provide it. Undocumented applicants who are not SSN-eligible may still qualify for a CA license under AB 60.
🏠 Two Proofs of California Residency
Required for original licenses and IDs. Accepted documents include utility bills, bank statements, lease agreements, and government mail. Each document must show your name and California address.
💳 Payment for Application Fee
Fees vary by transaction type. The application fee is non-refundable once submitted, as the back of the form states explicitly. Check the current fee schedule at dmv.ca.gov before your visit.
📋 Current or Expired CA Driver License / ID
For renewals, duplicates, and name changes. Bring your existing card even if expired, as it serves as supporting identity documentation for the transaction.
📑 Legal Name Change Document
For name change/correction transactions: marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court-ordered name change document. The DMV will compare this to the name on your current record.
📖 Completed Traffic Safety Course Certificate
First-time applicants under 18 must complete a state-approved driver education course before taking the knowledge test. Bring the completion certificate to your appointment.
👨👩👦 Parent / Guardian with Valid ID (Under 18)
Part 8 requires parent or guardian signatures for applicants under 18. The parent or guardian must be present at the DMV office or have pre-signed the form with notarization in some cases.
👁️ Vision Exam: Done at the DMV
All driver license applicants complete a vision screening at the DMV office. No outside documentation is needed unless you have a specific vision condition requiring a separate eye exam report.
📝 Knowledge Test: Done at the DMV
Original license applicants and some renewal applicants must pass a written knowledge test on the day of their appointment. Study the California Driver Handbook before your visit, as it is the source of all test questions.
How to Prepare and Submit Your DL 44
This form must be submitted in person. It cannot be mailed and it cannot be submitted online. Here is how to approach your DMV visit for the best chance of completing your transaction in a single trip:
Schedule a DMV appointment
Walk-in wait times at California DMV offices can exceed two hours. Book an appointment at dmv.ca.gov, as appointment holders are seen significantly faster. Make your appointment before you start gathering documents so you have a firm date to work toward.
Download the form and pre-fill the information fields
Download the form from this website. Fill in all information fields in Parts 1 through 8 that apply to your situation before your appointment. Use blue or black ink only. Pre-filling saves time at the counter and reduces errors from rushing. Do not sign Part 9.
Read the back of the form completely
Read the Medical Information, disclosure statements, organ donor language, and all certifications on the back. You must read the medical conditions list before answering Part 5C, and you should understand what you are agreeing to by signing Part 9 before you set foot in the DMV.
Gather all required documents
Use the CA DMV’s True Identity document checklist (available at dmv.ca.gov) for your specific transaction type. Original license transactions require identity, SSN, and two residency proofs. Renewals typically require your existing license. Bring originals, as the DMV does not accept photocopies of most identity documents.
Study for the knowledge test if required
First-time applicants and some renewal applicants must pass a written knowledge test. The California Driver Handbook is the only study resource you need, as every question on the test comes from it. It is free at dmv.ca.gov and also available in multiple languages.
At the DMV: vision test and knowledge test first
When you arrive, you will typically complete a vision screening and knowledge test (if required) before reaching the transaction counter. Have your pre-filled form and all documents ready. Present everything at the counter when called.
Sign Part 9 only when the DMV employee tells you to
This is the one rule that matters most. When the counter agent has reviewed your documents and is ready to process your application, they will instruct you to sign. Sign at that moment and not before. Your signature goes directly into the system as your license signature and will be printed on your card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Download This Form
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Form Number |
DL 44 |
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Pages |
1 (front + back) |
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Sign Part 9 |
At DMV Counter Only |
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Duplicate? |
Do Not Duplicate |
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Submit |
In Person at CA DMV |
⛔ Critical Reminder
Do NOT sign Part 9 until a DMV employee instructs you to do so at the counter.
Your signature is your official license signature, captured live and printed on your card.