The barcode on your driver's license encodes your name, address, date of birth, license number, and expiration date — the same information printed on the front and back of the card
Every state's driver's license includes a barcode, usually a two-dimensional square pattern called a PDF417 code, printed on the back. When scanned by a reader, it displays the data already visible on the card itself: your full name, address, height, eye color, date of birth, license number, issue and expiration dates, and any restrictions or endorsements. The barcode does not contain your Social Security number, medical history, criminal record, or any information beyond what an officer or clerk can already see by reading the card.
The barcode format and content are standardized across states through the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVTA), which sets the structure so that a barcode reader in one state can read a license from another. However, each state controls what data it includes and how it encrypts or protects that data. Some states add a magnetic stripe on the back as well, which serves the same purpose as the barcode.
Key Takeaways
- The barcode contains only the information already printed on your license — name, address, date of birth, license number, and expiration date.
- Different states use slightly different barcode formats, but all follow the same AAMVTA standard so readers across states can decode them.
- Barcodes are scanned by police officers, bouncers, retailers checking age, and other businesses that need to verify your identity quickly.
- Your Social Security number, medical information, and criminal history are not stored in the barcode, even though some people believe they are.
Why states use barcodes instead of just printed text
A barcode can be read in seconds by a handheld scanner, whereas an officer or clerk reading the card by eye takes longer and is more prone to error. The barcode also makes it harder to forge a license, because creating a valid barcode requires knowing the exact encoding standard and any encryption the state uses. A printed fake can look convincing; a barcode that does not scan correctly or contains mismatched data is when ready flagged as invalid.
The barcode also allows businesses and law enforcement to run the information through a database when ready. When a police officer scans your license, their patrol car's computer can check whether your license is suspended, whether there are outstanding warrants, or whether you are on a watch list — all in seconds. A retailer scanning an ID to verify age can check the expiration date and date of birth automatically rather than doing the math by hand.
What information the barcode actually holds
The barcode encodes the following fields: full name (first, middle, last), date of birth, sex, address (street, city, state, ZIP), license number, issue date, expiration date, license class (what vehicles you can drive), restrictions (corrective lenses, hearing aid, automatic transmission only), and endorsements (motorcycle, commercial, hazmat). Some states add height, eye color, and hair color. That is the complete list.
The barcode does not include your Social Security number, even though urban legend often claims it does. Your SSN is not printed on the card either, and states do not encode it in the barcode because doing so would create a massive security and privacy liability. Similarly, the barcode does not contain your medical history, organ donor status (though some licenses have a separate donor indicator), criminal record, or driving history. Those records exist in separate state databases that are accessed only when law enforcement or the DMV runs a full background check.
How the barcode is encrypted and who can read it
Most states encrypt the barcode so that a basic barcode scanner cannot straightforward read it and display the data on a screen. Instead, the scanner must be programmed with the state's decryption key. This means a police officer's scanner, a bouncer's ID reader, or a retailer's age-verification device all have the correct key built in and can decode the information. A random person with a generic barcode scanner app on their phone usually cannot read the encrypted data — they will see a string of numbers and letters that means nothing without the decryption key.
However, the level of encryption varies by state. Some states use stronger encryption than others, and some older licenses or licenses from certain states may use weaker protection. This is why privacy advocates have raised concerns about barcode readers being sold to private companies without clear oversight. A business that buys a barcode reader intended for law enforcement use might be able to decode licenses from states with weaker encryption, though this is rare and illegal in most jurisdictions.
Differences between state barcode formats
All states follow the AAMVTA standard, but they do not all use the same barcode type. Most states use PDF417, a two-dimensional barcode that looks like a square grid of small rectangles. A few states use a different format called Code 128, which is a one-dimensional barcode (a series of vertical lines). The difference is mainly technical: PDF417 holds more data in a smaller space, while Code 128 is older and simpler to read with basic equipment.
The data fields themselves are standardized, so a PDF417 barcode from California contains the same types of information in the same order as a PDF417 barcode from New York. However, each state controls the encryption key, so a California barcode cannot be read with a New York decryption key. This prevents one state's readers from being used to decode another state's licenses without authorization.
Privacy concerns and what you should know
The main privacy concern with barcodes is not what they contain, but who has access to readers and what they do with the data. A police officer scanning your license during a traffic stop is using that data for law enforcement purposes, which is legal and expected. A bouncer scanning your ID at a bar is checking your age, which is also standard. But a retailer or private company scanning your license for marketing purposes, or selling the data to a data broker, raises legitimate privacy questions.
Some states have passed laws restricting how businesses can use barcode readers and what they can do with the data they collect. Others have not. If you are concerned about your privacy, you can ask a business why they need to scan your license and what they will do with the information. You can also check your state's DMV website to see what privacy protections explore to your license barcode.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone steal my identity by scanning my driver's license barcode?
The barcode contains only information already visible on the card — name, address, date of birth, and license number. This information alone is not enough to open a credit card or take out a loan, so scanning your barcode is not a direct path to identity theft. However, combined with other data, it could be used as part of a larger fraud scheme. Protect your license the same way you protect your physical card: do not leave it unattended, and be cautious about who scans it.
Does the barcode contain my Social Security number?
No. Your Social Security number is not printed on your license and is not encoded in the barcode. This is a common misconception. States keep SSNs in separate databases for administrative purposes, but they do not include them in the barcode because doing so would create a serious security risk.
Can I scan my own driver's license barcode with my phone?
A generic barcode scanner app may be able to read an unencrypted barcode, but most state barcodes are encrypted. Even if your phone can read the barcode, it will not be able to decrypt it without the state's encryption key. You would see raw data, not readable information.
What happens if the barcode on my license is damaged or unreadable?
If the barcode is damaged, law enforcement or businesses can still read the printed information on the card. However, they will not be able to run an when ready database check. If you need a replacement license, contact your state's DMV. A damaged barcode is usually grounds for a replacement card.
Do all states use the same barcode format?
All states follow the AAMVTA standard, but most use PDF417 (a two-dimensional barcode) while a few use Code 128 (a one-dimensional barcode). The data fields are standardized, but each state uses its own encryption key, so readers from one state cannot decode licenses from another without authorization.