The back of a Colorado driver's license holds security features and encoded data, not a second photo or additional personal details
The reverse side of a Colorado driver's license contains a magnetic stripe and a barcode rather than printed text you can read. The barcode encodes your name, date of birth, address, license number, and expiration date in a format that law enforcement and age-verification systems can scan. The magnetic stripe serves the same purpose and is readable by card readers used at some retailers and venues.
Unlike some states, Colorado does not print a second photograph, signature, or list of restrictions on the back. All human-readable information appears on the front. The back is designed for machine reading only, which means you cannot manually verify what data the barcode contains without a scanner.
Key Takeaways
- The back of a Colorado driver's license contains a barcode and magnetic stripe that encode your personal information for scanning by law enforcement and retailers.
- No printed text, photograph, or signature appears on the back — all readable information is on the front of the card.
- The barcode data matches what is printed on the front and includes your name, date of birth, address, license number, and expiration date.
- If the barcode or magnetic stripe is damaged, the card may not scan properly, but the license remains valid for identification purposes.
What the barcode encodes
Colorado uses a two-dimensional barcode (PDF417 format) on the back of every driver's license. This barcode holds the same information that appears in printed form on the front: your full name, date of birth, Colorado address, driver's license number, issue date, and expiration date. Some systems also read your height, eye color, and any license restrictions or endorsements.
The barcode is machine-readable only. You cannot decode it by eye, and there is no way to know whether the data it contains is accurate without scanning it with the proper equipment. If you believe the information encoded in the barcode is wrong, you would need to contact the Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles to request a correction or replacement card.
Why Colorado uses a barcode instead of printed text
Barcodes serve several purposes that printed text cannot. They reduce the physical space needed to store information, make the card harder to counterfeit because the encoding is not when ready visible, and allow rapid scanning by law enforcement during traffic stops. The barcode also enables age-verification systems at retailers to confirm your birth date without a cashier reading the card manually.
The magnetic stripe on the back performs a similar function and is used less frequently than the barcode, but some older card readers and systems still rely on it. Both the barcode and magnetic stripe are encrypted or formatted in ways that make them difficult to alter without detection.
What happens if the barcode is damaged
If the barcode on the back of your license is scratched, cracked, or otherwise damaged, law enforcement and retailers may not be able to scan it. However, the license itself remains valid for identification purposes because all the printed information on the front is still readable. A police officer can still verify your identity by reading the front of the card manually.
If you find that the barcode is unreadable and you need the card to scan properly — for example, if you work in a field that requires frequent scanning or if you travel frequently — you can request a replacement card from the Colorado Department of Revenue. There is a fee for replacement cards, and the process typically takes several weeks.
How to read the front of your Colorado license
The front of your Colorado driver's license displays your photograph, full name, date of birth, address, driver's license number, issue date, and expiration date in printed form. Your license class (such as D for regular passenger vehicle) and any restrictions or endorsements also appear on the front. This is the side you show to law enforcement or use for manual identification.
Your signature does not appear on modern Colorado licenses. Older licenses issued before 2017 may have a signature line, but current cards do not include one. If you need to verify your signature for legal or financial purposes, you would use the signature you provided when you applied for the license, which is on file with the Department of Revenue but not printed on the card itself.
Differences between Colorado and other states
Not all states use the same format on the back of a driver's license. Some states print additional information such as organ donor status, restrictions, or endorsements on the back in readable text. Others, like Colorado, use only machine-readable formats. A few states use both printed text and barcodes on the back.
If you hold a license from another state and are now in Colorado, your old license's back side may look different. When you obtain a Colorado license, you will receive a card with the standard Colorado format: barcode and magnetic stripe on the back, all readable information on the front.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see what information is encoded in the barcode on the back?
No, not without a barcode scanner. The barcode is designed to be read by machines only. If you want to verify that the information encoded matches what is printed on the front, you would need to use a barcode reader or contact the Colorado Department of Revenue to confirm your records.
Is the magnetic stripe still used on Colorado licenses?
The magnetic stripe is present on Colorado driver's licenses but is used less frequently than the barcode. Older card readers and some specialized systems still rely on it, but most modern scanners read the barcode instead. Both serve the same purpose: encoding your personal information for machine reading.
What should I do if the back of my license is damaged?
If the barcode or magnetic stripe is damaged but the front of the card is still readable, your license remains valid for identification. If you need the barcode to scan properly for work or frequent travel, you can request a replacement card from the Colorado Department of Revenue for a fee. The process typically takes several weeks.
Does Colorado print organ donor status on the back of the license?
No. Organ donor status appears on the front of the card as a small heart symbol or notation, not on the back. The back contains only machine-readable formats. If you want to register or update your organ donor status, you can do so through the Colorado Department of Revenue or through the national registry.