What form you need and where to get it
The form you need is called the process for Texas Driver License or Identification Certificate, officially form DL-44. You can get it in three ways: read it from the Texas Department of Public Safety website, pick one up at any Texas driver license office in person, or fill it out on a computer at the office itself before you sit down with a clerk.
The form is the same whether you are explore for a driver license or an identification card. The difference comes later, when you tell the clerk which one you want. If you read it, print it on white paper and bring it with you to your appointment — you do not have to fill it out ahead of time, but doing so saves time at the office.
Key Takeaways
- Form DL-44 is the official Texas process, available to read from the Texas Department of Public Safety website or to pick up at any driver license office.
- You will need to bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number when you submit the form.
- The form asks for your legal name, date of birth, address, and driving history, and you must sign it in front of a clerk — a signature on a form at home does not count.
- If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must sign the form with you at the office, and you may face restrictions on when and where you can drive.
- Processing takes about two weeks for a standard license; you can pay extra for a rush license that arrives in five to seven business days.
What information the form asks for
The form has sections for your legal name (first, middle, last), date of birth, sex, height, eye color, and current address. It also asks whether you have ever held a Texas driver license before, and if so, what your license number was. If you have held a license in another state, you will need to list that too.
There is a section for your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). You must provide one or the other — the state will not issue a license without it. If you do not have a Social Security number, you will need to bring documentation of your ITIN when you go to the office.
The form also asks about traffic violations, suspensions, and revocations. You must answer honestly. If you have had a license suspended or revoked in Texas or any other state, the clerk will see that in the system regardless, so lying on the form creates a separate problem.
Documents you must bring with you
Filling out the form is only the first step. When you go to the driver license office, you must bring original documents — photocopies do not work. You need proof of identity (a passport, a birth certificate, a military ID, or a consular report of birth), proof of residency (a utility bill, a lease, a mortgage statement, or a bank statement with your name and current address), and your Social Security card or ITIN documentation.
If your name has changed since your proof of identity was issued — through marriage, divorce, or court order — bring the document that shows the change (a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). If you are explore for the first time and you are under 18, bring a parent or guardian with you; they will need to sign the form in front of the clerk.
Bring your completed form if you filled it out at home, but do not sign it yet. You must sign it in front of the clerk. If you did not fill it out ahead of time, the office has computers where you can do it, or a clerk can help you fill it out by hand.
How to fill out each section correctly
Write your legal name exactly as it appears on your proof of identity. If your name on your birth certificate is different from your current legal name, use your current legal name and bring the document that changed it. Use black or blue pen if you are filling it out by hand; do not use pencil or marker.
For your address, write the street address where you actually live. A post office box does not count as a residence address. If you live in an apartment, include the apartment number. If you have recently moved, use your new address, but be ready to show proof that you live there — a utility bill in your name, a lease, or a recent bank statement.
When you reach the section about previous licenses, be complete. If you have ever held a Texas license, write the number if you remember it; if not, write "unknown" and the clerk can look it up. If you have held a license in another state, list the state and the number. Leaving this section blank when you have held a license before can delay your process.
Restrictions and requirements for drivers under 18
If you are under 18, you cannot straightforward fill out the form and submit it. A parent or legal guardian must be present at the office and must sign the form in front of the clerk. The parent or guardian must bring their own ID and proof of their relationship to you (usually a birth certificate).
Once you receive your license, it will have restrictions. You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. for the first six months, and you cannot drive between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. for the next six months. You also cannot have passengers under 21 in the car unless a licensed adult 21 or older is driving. These restrictions lift automatically when you turn 18.
What happens after you submit the form
After you hand in your completed form and documents, a clerk will review everything for errors or missing information. If something is wrong, they will tell you right then and ask you to correct it. If everything is in order, you will take a written test (unless you are renewing), an eye test, and a photo. You will also pay the fee, which varies depending on whether you want a standard license or a rush license.
Your license will be mailed to the address you provided on the form. Standard processing takes about two weeks. If you pay for rush processing, it takes five to seven business days. You will receive a temporary paper license at the office that you can use to drive while you wait for the plastic card to arrive.
Common mistakes to avoid on the form
The most common mistake is leaving the Social Security number or ITIN field blank. The form cannot be processed without one. Another frequent error is writing a post office box instead of a street address, or writing an address where you do not actually live. The state sends your license to the address on the form, and they verify residency, so this will delay your process.
Do not sign the form before you get to the office. The clerk must watch you sign it. If you sign it at home, you will have to sign it again at the office anyway, and signing twice can create confusion in the system. If you are under 18, do not show up without a parent or guardian — the office will turn you away and you will have wasted the trip.
If you have held a license before and you leave that section blank, the system will flag it and the office may ask you to come back with more documentation. It is faster to fill it out completely the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fill out the form online instead of printing it?
No. You must submit a physical form at the driver license office. You can read and print it, or you can fill it out on a computer at the office, or a clerk can help you fill it out by hand. But you cannot submit it electronically.
What if I do not have a Social Security number?
You can use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. Bring your ITIN documentation — usually a letter from the IRS — when you go to the office. The form has a space for either number.
Do I have to make an appointment to turn in my form?
Most Texas driver license offices require an appointment. You can book one on the Texas Department of Public Safety website. Walk-ins are not usually accepted, and showing up without an appointment means a long wait or being turned away.
What if I made a mistake on the form after I submitted it?
Tell the clerk before you leave the office. They can correct most mistakes on the spot or have you initial the change. If you do not catch it until later, you will need to contact the driver license office and may have to reapply.
How much does a Texas driver license cost?
The fee varies depending on the type of license and how long it is valid. A standard driver license costs less than a commercial license. Rush processing costs extra. The clerk will tell you the exact amount when you submit your form.