Where to find your audit number on your Texas driver's license
Your Texas driver's license audit number is a six-digit code printed on the front of your card, below your photograph. It appears in the lower left area of the license, just above the expiration date. The number looks like this format: a series of six digits with no letters.
If you have a physical license in hand, you can locate it by holding the card up to the light and looking at the lower left quadrant. The audit number is separate from your driver's license number, which appears in a different location on the card. Many people confuse the two because they are both numeric codes on the same document.
The audit number stays the same throughout the life of your license. If you renew your license, you will receive a new audit number on your replacement card. This happens because the Texas Department of Public Safety issues new numbers with each license renewal, even if all your other information remains unchanged.
Key Takeaways
- Your audit number is a six-digit code located in the lower left area of your Texas driver's license, below your photo.
- The audit number is different from your driver's license number and serves as an internal tracking code for the state.
- You receive a new audit number each time you renew your license, even if your personal information does not change.
- If you cannot locate the number on your physical card, you can contact the Texas Department of Public Safety to request it.
- The audit number may be needed when dealing with certain government agencies or when verifying your license information.
Why Texas uses audit numbers on driver's licenses
The audit number serves as an internal reference code for the Texas Department of Public Safety. It helps state officials track and verify license records in their system, particularly when processing renewals, replacements, or administrative requests. The number is not meant for public identification the way your driver's license number is.
Government agencies and law enforcement use audit numbers to cross-reference records and prevent fraud or duplicate licenses. When you interact with certain state offices or when your license information needs to be verified through official channels, the audit number provides an additional layer of verification beyond your name and license number.
What to do if you cannot find your audit number
If your license is damaged, worn, or the number is not clearly visible, you can contact the Texas Department of Public Safety directly. Call their customer service line at 1-888-589-6789 to speak with a representative who can look up your audit number using your driver's license number and date of birth.
You can also visit a local Texas DPS office in person and ask staff to provide your audit number. Bring your driver's license or another form of identification. The staff member can read the number from your card or look it up in the system if your card is too damaged to read.
If you have lost your license entirely, you will need to request a replacement card. During that process, you will receive a new audit number on your replacement license. The DPS can provide you with that new number once your replacement card is issued.
When you might need your audit number
Certain state agencies and government offices may request your audit number when verifying your driver's license information. This is more common when you are dealing with official record requests or when multiple forms of identification are being cross-checked. Some licensing boards or professional credential programs may also ask for it as part of their verification process.
You may also need your audit number if you are disputing information on your license or if you are working with the Texas DPS to correct errors in their system. Having the audit number on hand can speed up the process because it allows staff to locate your exact record without searching through multiple entries.
Difference between your audit number and driver's license number
Your driver's license number is your primary identification number and appears prominently on the front of your card. This is the number you use when providing your license information to employers, banks, or other organizations. It stays with you and does not change when you renew your license.
Your audit number, by contrast, is an internal state tracking code that changes with each renewal. It is not meant to be shared as your primary identifier. The audit number is smaller and less prominent on the card because it serves a different purpose — it is for state administrative use rather than for you to provide to others.
Think of your driver's license number as your public identifier and your audit number as your state file reference. When someone asks for your driver's license number, they are asking for the larger, more visible number. The audit number is only requested in specific situations involving state verification or official record-keeping.
How to protect your audit number
Because your audit number is tied to your official state records, you should treat it with the same care as your driver's license number. Do not share it with people or organizations that do not have a legitimate reason to request it. Scammers sometimes pose as government officials and ask for audit numbers as part of identity theft schemes.
If someone contacts you asking for your audit number and you are unsure whether they are legitimate, hang up and call the Texas Department of Public Safety directly using the phone number on their official website. Never provide personal information to someone who initiated the contact, even if they claim to represent a government agency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my audit number the same as my driver's license number?
No. Your driver's license number is your primary identifier and stays the same throughout your life. Your audit number is a separate six-digit code that changes each time you renew your license. The audit number is used internally by the state for record-keeping and verification purposes.
What happens to my audit number when I renew my license?
You receive a new audit number with each license renewal. This is normal and expected. The old audit number is no longer active, and you should use only the new number from your replacement card if any state agency requests it.
Can I look up someone else's audit number?
No. Audit numbers are part of confidential state records and are not public information. You can only access your own audit number by looking at your physical license or by contacting the Texas Department of Public Safety with your own identification.
Do I need my audit number to renew my license online?
No. The Texas DPS online renewal system uses your driver's license number and other personal information, not your audit number. You only need your audit number if a state agency specifically requests it for verification purposes.
What should I do if my audit number is illegible on my license?
Contact the Texas Department of Public Safety at 1-888-589-6789 or visit a local DPS office. Staff can read the number from your card or look it up in their system using your driver's license number and date of birth. If your card is too damaged to use, you can request a replacement.