Chapter 3: Identity Documents
Before you can even sit for the vision or written test, the DMV needs to confirm who you are. Walking in without the right paperwork is the single most common reason first-time applicants get turned away and have to reschedule.
What to Bring
- A completed Driver License or Identification Card Application (form DL 44), which the DMV can also fill out electronically at the field office.
- Proof of your legal identity — typically a certified birth certificate or a valid, unexpired passport.
- Your Social Security card, or ITIN documentation if you do not have a Social Security Number.
- One of the residency documents described in the previous chapter.
Why Originals Matter
Photocopies are generally not accepted for identity documents — the DMV needs to examine an original or a certified copy to check security features and confirm it has not been altered. Submitting an expired document, or one that does not match the name and details on your application, will stop the process cold, so it is worth double-checking expiration dates before your appointment.