What Form You Need and Where to Get It

The form you need is the process for Learner License, officially called Form DL-44. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) publishes this form, and you can get it three ways: read it from the DPS website, pick up a printed copy at any Texas driver license office, or fill it out on a computer at the office itself before you sit for the written test.

The form is the same whether you are explore in person or by mail, though most people complete it at the office on the day of their appointment. If you read it ahead of time, print it on standard white paper and bring it with you — the office will accept a printed version. You do not need to sign the form before you arrive; you will sign it in front of a DPS employee as part of the verification process.

Key Takeaways

  • Form DL-44 is the only form required for a Texas learner's permit, and you can read it, pick it up at a driver license office, or fill it out there on the day of your appointment.
  • You must bring proof of identity, proof of Texas residency, and proof of your Social Security number or a statement that you do not have one.
  • The form asks for your full legal name, date of birth, address, and whether you have any medical conditions that affect driving — answer all fields truthfully.
  • If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must sign the form in front of a DPS employee; if you are 18 or older, you sign it yourself.
  • Bring the completed form to your appointment along with your documents; the DPS employee will review it before you take the written test.

Information the Form Asks For

Form DL-44 has sections for personal information, residency, and medical history. In the personal information section, you will enter your full legal name (exactly as it appears on your birth certificate or passport), date of birth, and current address in Texas. The form also asks for your phone number and email address, though these are optional fields.

The residency section requires you to list your Texas address and confirm how long you have lived there. You will also declare your Social Security number or state that you do not have one — this field is mandatory, and you cannot leave it blank. If you do not have a Social Security number, you must write "No SSN" or check the box provided.

The medical history section asks whether you have any conditions that could affect your ability to drive safely — for example, epilepsy, diabetes, heart disease, or vision problems. You must answer honestly. If you check "yes" to any condition, the DPS may ask you to provide medical documentation or a statement from your doctor before they issue your permit. This does not automatically disqualify you; it means the DPS needs more information to assess whether you can drive safely.

Documents You Must Bring With the Form

You cannot complete your learner's permit without three categories of documents: proof of identity, proof of Texas residency, and proof of your Social Security number. The DPS is strict about this — if you arrive without the right documents, you will not be able to finish your appointment, even if you have the form filled out correctly.

For proof of identity, bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, a valid U.S. passport, a consular report of birth abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization. A school ID, library card, or state ID from another state will not work. If your birth certificate is a certified copy, it must have a raised seal or be an official document from the vital records office in the state where you were born.

For proof of residency, bring one document that shows your name and current Texas address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or a letter from a government agency. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. If you live with a parent or guardian and your name is not on a utility bill or lease, bring a notarized affidavit from the person whose name is on the bill, along with a copy of that bill.

For proof of Social Security number, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a letter from the Social Security Administration. If you do not have a Social Security number, you do not need to bring anything for this category — just check the box on the form.

How to Fill Out Each Section Correctly

Start with the top of the form and work down. Write your full legal name in capital letters in the first blank — this must match your birth certificate or passport exactly. If your legal name includes a suffix (Jr., Sr., III), include it. Do not use nicknames or shortened versions of your name.

Fill in your date of birth in the format the form shows, usually MM/DD/YYYY. Double-check this against your birth certificate, because an error here can cause problems later. Write your current Texas address, including street number, street name, city, ZIP code, and county. If you recently moved, use your new address, not your old one.

In the medical history section, read each question carefully and check either "yes" or "no." If you are unsure whether a condition applies — for example, you had asthma as a child but not now — err on the side of honesty and check "yes." You can explain the details to the DPS employee at your appointment. Do not leave any medical question blank.

At the bottom of the form, there is a signature line. If you are under 18, do not sign here yet — your parent or guardian will sign this line in front of the DPS employee. If you are 18 or older, you will sign it yourself at the office. The DPS employee must witness the signature; a signature on the form before you arrive is not valid.

What Happens After You Submit the Form

When you arrive at your appointment, hand the completed form to the DPS employee along with your documents. The employee will review the form to make sure all fields are filled in and that your documents match the information you wrote. If something is missing or incorrect, they will ask you to correct it before you proceed.

If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must be present at this point. The employee will ask them to sign the form in front of them. Once the form is signed and verified, you will move on to the written test. You do not need to do anything else with the form after that — the DPS keeps it on file.

Your learner's permit is usually issued the same day if you pass the written test. The permit is valid for two years from the date it is issued. You will receive a paper temporary permit at the office, and your official plastic permit card will arrive by mail within two weeks.

Common Mistakes to Avoid on the Form

The most common mistake is writing your name differently than it appears on your birth certificate or passport. If your legal name is "Robert" but you go by "Bob," write "Robert" on the form. The DPS will not issue a permit if the name does not match your identity document exactly.

Another frequent error is leaving the Social Security number field blank. Even if you do not have a Social Security number, you must write "No SSN" or check the box — you cannot skip this field. Leaving it blank will delay your appointment.

Some applicants also make mistakes on the residency section by writing an old address or a mailing address that is different from where they actually live. The DPS uses the address on your permit for official notices, so make sure it is correct. If you moved recently and do not have a utility bill yet, a lease agreement or a notarized letter from your landlord will work.

Finally, do not sign the form before you arrive at the office if you are under 18. The parent or guardian signature must be witnessed by a DPS employee, and a signature on a form you bring in will not count. If you are 18 or older, you can sign it at home, but most people sign it at the office anyway to avoid any questions.

If You Need Help Filling Out the Form

If you do not speak English fluently, the DPS can provide an interpreter at most driver license offices. Call ahead to request one — do not show up expecting an interpreter to be available without notice. Some offices have staff who speak Spanish, but interpretation in other languages must be scheduled in advance.

If you have a disability that makes it hard to fill out the form or take the written test, the DPS offers accommodations. You can request large-print forms, extra time to complete the test, or information from a DPS employee. Contact your local driver license office at least a week before your appointment to arrange this.

If you are unsure about any question on the form, ask the DPS employee when you arrive. They are used to answering questions and can clarify what each field means. It is better to ask than to guess and fill something out incorrectly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fill out the form online instead of printing it?

No. The DPS does not have an online form submission system for learner's permits. You must either print the form and bring it to your appointment or fill it out at the driver license office. Some offices have computers available if you want to type it out there instead of writing by hand.

What if I make a mistake on the form after I submit it?

If you notice an error before the DPS employee reviews it, tell them right away and they will give you a new form to fill out. If the error is discovered after your permit is issued, you will need to visit a driver license office in person to request a correction. Bring your permit and the document that shows the correct information.

Do I need to notarize the form?

No. The form does not need to be notarized. The DPS employee will verify your identity and witness your signature at the office. The only time you need a notarized document is if you are using a notarized affidavit for proof of residency because your name is not on a utility bill.

What if I am explore as a non-citizen?

You can still get a learner's permit. Instead of a birth certificate, you can use a passport, consular report of birth abroad, or Certificate of Naturalization as proof of identity. You will also need proof of residency and proof of your Social Security number or a statement that you do not have one. The form itself is the same for all applicants.

Can someone else fill out the form for me?

Someone can help you fill it out, but you (or your parent or guardian if you are under 18) must sign it. The DPS employee will ask you to confirm that the information on the form is correct before they process your process. You are responsible for the accuracy of what is written, even if someone else wrote it.