They for sure took your fingerprints in California. It's required to get a license.

Search this for fingerprint: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/california-driver-handboo...

You may just not remember because it's electronic.

And it was 20 years ago...

I got my license in California in 1993 and it was required then too. I remember because we made fun of how the driver handbook said, "you must provide your thumbprint, or your fingerprint if you have no thumbs".