DL 691 is the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) application for a non-commercial restricted driver license for people whose driving privilege is suspended under the Financial Responsibility Law after an uninsured accident. It covers three kinds of restriction: driving to, from and during employment (Part A), driving a minor dependent to and from school (Part B), and driving to and from medical treatment (Part C). On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the form is published by the DMV, and the DMV must approve the restriction.
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What is DL 691?
Application For Non-Commercial Restricted Driver License For Financial Responsibility Actions (DL 691) is the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) form used to request a restricted license when your driving privilege is suspended under the Financial Responsibility Law because of an uninsured accident.
The form rests on Vehicle Code (VC) Sections 16072, 16073 and 16077. A restricted license lets you drive yourself, or a passenger such as a child under age 18 or another member of your household, depending on the restriction you request. It is available for the first year of the suspension, and the restriction lasts one year from the suspension date once the DMV approves it.
The form has an applicant information block and four parts:
- Part A: the To, From and During Employment restriction (code 52).
- Part B: the School Transportation for Dependent Minor restriction (code 92).
- Part C: the Medical Treatment restriction, with codes 51 (self), 91 (family member) and 51 & 91 (both).
- Part D: the applicant's certification under penalty of perjury.
The DMV's instructions on the back of the form also describe a separate Exemption from Suspension under VC Section 16073 for people employed as drivers. That exemption is automatic and does not require this application. DL 691 is not for commercial Class A, B or commercial Class C driving.
Who needs to file DL 691?
People whose driving privilege is suspended under the Financial Responsibility Law because of an uninsured accident, and who want to keep driving for a qualifying purpose, use DL 691. Complete the parts that match the restriction you request:
- Part A: you need to drive to and from your place of employment and/or during your employment, in a vehicle that does not require a Class A, B or commercial Class C license.
- Part B: you need to drive your minor dependent, a kindergarten through 12th grade pupil under age 18 living in your home, between home and school because no public or school bus transportation is available.
- Part C: you need to drive yourself, a family member (spouse, child, other relative or another person who lives with you), or both, to and from treatment for a health problem requiring more than one treatment appointment.
Exclusions stated in the instructions: Part B does not cover daycare, preschool or after-school activities, college, university or other post-high school students regardless of age, or students driving themselves. The Exemption from Suspension does not apply to commercial Class A, B or commercial Class C drivers because of federal regulations, unless they downgrade to a non-commercial Class C or M license.
If you are employed as a driver and will only drive your employer's vehicles on the job, the exemption is automatic and no application is needed.
When to file DL 691
File DL 691 after your driving privilege is suspended under the Financial Responsibility Law because of an uninsured accident, or before the suspension starts if you can. The restriction is available for the first year of the suspension, and an approved restriction lasts one year from the suspension date.
Timing also affects one cost: the reissue fee is not due in the Financial Responsibility suspension if the restriction application is completed and approved before the suspension starts. The insurance proof certificate (SR 22/SR 1P) must stay on file for a total of four years from the suspension effective date. The form prints no other deadline.
Documents you need
- California Insurance Proof Certificate (form SR 22/SR 1P), kept on file for four years from the suspension effective date; an SR 1P is acceptable unless another action requires an SR 22. Not required if you drive only under the Exemption from Suspension.
- Part B school certification, completed by the school principal or administrator, stating that no public transportation or school bus is available between your residence and the school. Needed only for the school restriction.
- Part C, Section 3 medical evaluation, completed by your licensed medical practitioner. Needed only if you will drive yourself to and from treatment.
- Part C, Section 2 medical authorization, signed by you, allowing your practitioner or facility to release records to the DMV. Needed only if you will drive yourself to and from treatment.
How to fill out DL 691
Enter applicant information
Write your name, driver license number, telephone number, address, city, state and ZIP code in the Applicant Information block at the top.
Choose the restriction you need
Complete only the parts that match the restriction(s) you request: Part A, B or C. Everyone also completes Part D.
Complete Part A for work driving
Check the box to apply for a restriction to drive to and from your place of employment and/or during your employment (code 52). It covers vehicles registered in your name and other insured vehicles, but not vehicles that require a Class A, B or commercial Class C license.
Complete Part B for school driving
Check the box and enter your minor dependent's name and grade. Mark the PRIMARY or SECONDARY school option that applies (code 92).
Get the school certification signed
Give Part B to the school principal or administrator, who enters the school name, telephone number and address, then dates, signs and prints their name and title.
Select the Part C medical restriction
Under "For driving," check only one box: Self (51), Family Member (91) or Both Self and Family Member (51 & 91).
Fill in Section 1 for a family member
Enter the patient's name, the patient's relationship to you, the type of health problem, and the name, address, city, state and ZIP code of the treatment center, hospital or medical facility. If the patient is you, complete Section 2 instead.
Sign Section 2 if you drive yourself
Complete the medical authorization only if you will drive yourself to and from treatment: enter the date, your signature and your medical record or file number.
Have your practitioner complete Section 3
For self-driving, your practitioner describes the health problem and treatment, gives the expected final treatment date and where treatments are given, and answers the driving-ability question with No or Yes (explaining a Yes). The practitioner then dates, signs, prints their name, and gives a license number, address and telephone number.
Sign the Part D certification
Sign and date the statement that the information is true and correct under penalty of perjury under California law. Leave the DMV Use Only box blank.
Review and download the PDF
Check that the right parts are filled and every signature is in place, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Gather the items listed under How to submit.
How to submit DL 691
DL 691 is handled in person at a DMV field office.
- In person: take the completed application, the single penalty fee, the SR 22/SR 1P insurance certificate, and the reissue fee if one is due, to your local DMV field office.
- Appointment: for faster service the DMV asks you to call ahead for an appointment. DMV phone numbers are in the State Government section of your phone directory.
The penalty fee is due in one payment and covers any or all of the restrictions. It is not due if you will only drive your employer's vehicles during your employment as a driver. The DMV's general information on the back of the form gives the current amount; confirm it with the DMV before you go. The form names no mail or online channel. If the DMV needs more medical information or a reexamination, it notifies you by mail. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the DMV channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Requesting the school restriction (Part B) for daycare, preschool, after-school activities, college or other post-high school students, or for a student who drives themselves; the instructions exclude all of these.
- Filling in the principal's certification yourself; the school principal or administrator must complete that portion of Part B.
- Checking more than one box under "For driving" in Part C; the form says to check only one box (self, family member, or both).
- Completing Section 2, the medical authorization, when you will only drive a family member; it applies only if you will drive yourself to and from treatment.
- Requesting a medical restriction for a health problem that needs only one treatment appointment; the restriction requires more than one.
- Leaving out the SR 22/SR 1P insurance certificate when you request a restriction; it is required unless you drive only under the Exemption from Suspension.
- Planning to pay the penalty fee in installments; the fee is due in a single payment for any or all restrictions.
- Assuming the automatic exemption for employed drivers covers the drive to and from work; only the Part A restriction covers driving to and from the job.
- Leaving Part D unsigned; the applicant must certify under penalty of perjury with a signature and date.
Frequently asked questions
What is DL 691 used for?
DL 691 is the California DMV application for a non-commercial restricted driver license when your driving privilege is suspended under the Financial Responsibility Law because of an uninsured accident. It can allow driving for work, to school for a minor dependent, or to medical treatment.
How long does a DL 691 restriction last?
One year from the suspension date. The restriction is available for the first year of the suspension and must be approved by the DMV. The SR 22/SR 1P certificate stays on file for a total of four years from the suspension effective date, and your unrestricted license is valid while it remains on file.
Where do I submit DL 691?
Take it to your local DMV field office with the penalty fee, the SR 22/SR 1P certificate and the reissue fee, if due. The DMV recommends calling ahead for an appointment. The form names no mail or online submission channel.
Do I need an SR 22 or SR 1P with DL 691?
Yes, unless you will drive only under the Exemption from Suspension. You must file a California Insurance Proof Certificate (SR 22/SR 1P) and keep it on file for four years from the suspension effective date. An SR 1P is acceptable unless another action requires an SR 22.
Does DL 691 cover driving a child to college or daycare?
No. Part B covers kindergarten through 12th grade pupils under age 18 only, and only when no public transportation or school bus is available. It excludes daycare, preschool, after-school activities, post-high school students of any age, and students driving themselves.
Do employed drivers need DL 691 to drive on the job?
Not for on-the-job driving of non-commercial vehicles not registered in your name. That exemption under VC Section 16073 is automatic, with no application, fee or proof certificate. It does not cover driving to or from work (Part A does) or commercial Class A, B or C driving.
What does a medical practitioner complete on DL 691?
Part C, Section 3, when you will drive yourself to and from treatment. The practitioner describes the condition and treatment, gives the expected final treatment date, says whether it could affect your driving, and signs. The medical information is confidential under Vehicle Code §1808.5.
Can I fill out DL 691 online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not submit the form to the DMV; you bring it to a DMV field office.
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