Your audit number is a unique identifier printed on your Texas driver's license that the Department of Public Safety uses to track and verify your license record
The audit number on a Texas driver's license is a six-digit code located on the back of your card. It serves as an internal reference number for the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). When you contact DPS about your license, provide this number — it helps them pull up your exact record without confusion, especially if multiple people share your name.
This number is different from your driver's license number itself. Your license number is the main identifier printed on the front of your card and is what you use for most purposes. The audit number is purely for DPS record-keeping and verification.
Key Takeaways
- Your audit number is a six-digit code on the back of your Texas driver's license used by DPS to track your specific license record.
- You should provide your audit number when calling DPS or visiting a driver's license office to may support they locate the correct file.
- The audit number is printed on the back of your physical card and also appears on your DPS record online if you create an account.
- If you cannot find your audit number, DPS staff can look it up using your license number, name, and date of birth.
Where the audit number appears on your card
On the back of your Texas driver's license, you will see several printed elements. The audit number is typically located in the lower portion of the back side, printed in small text. It is a six-digit number with no letters. The exact placement can vary slightly depending on when your license was issued, but it is always on the back rather than the front.
If your license is very old or damaged, the audit number may be difficult to read. In that case, you can request a replacement card from DPS, or you can straightforward provide your license number and other identifying information when you contact them.
How to find your audit number online
If you have created an account on the Texas DPS website, you can view your driver's license information online, including your audit number. To do this, visit the DPS website and log into your account using your license number and other personal details. Your audit number will be displayed in your license record.
Creating an online account also allows you to check the status of a license renewal, view your driving record, or update your address without visiting an office in person. If you do not have an online account yet, you can set one up using your license number and personal information.
When you need to provide your audit number
Provide your audit number when you call the DPS customer service line about your license. This is especially helpful if you are asking about a renewal, a replacement card, a name change, or any other modification to your record. Having the audit number ready speeds up the process because the representative can when ready pull your file.
You may also need to provide it if you are requesting a certified copy of your driving record or if you are working with a third party (such as an employer or insurance company) who needs to verify your license status with DPS. Not every situation requires it, but having it on hand prevents delays.
What to do if you cannot locate your audit number
If your license is lost, stolen, or too damaged to read the audit number, you do not need to panic. DPS staff can look up your audit number using your driver's license number, full name, and date of birth. Call the DPS customer service line or visit a local driver's license office with a form of identification, and they will retrieve it for you.
You can also request a replacement license card if yours is worn or illegible. A replacement card costs less than a full renewal and will have a clearly printed audit number on the back. The replacement card will have the same license number as your current card.
How audit numbers differ from other license identifiers
Your Texas driver's license contains several different numbers, and it is straightforward to confuse them. Your license number is the primary identifier — the one printed prominently on the front of your card. This is what you provide to law enforcement, employers, and insurance companies. Your audit number is the six-digit code on the back used only by DPS for internal tracking. Your Social Security number may also be associated with your license record but is not printed on the card itself.
When someone asks for your "license number," they almost always mean the front number, not the audit number. The audit number is primarily useful when you are communicating directly with DPS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my audit number the same as my driver's license number?
No. Your driver's license number is printed on the front of your card and is your primary identifier. Your audit number is a six-digit code on the back that DPS uses internally to track your record. They are separate numbers.
Do I need to memorize my audit number?
You do not need to memorize it, but it is helpful to have it written down or to know where to find it on your card. When you call DPS, having it ready can speed up your call, but DPS can also look it up using your license number and personal details.
Will my audit number change if I renew my license?
Your audit number may change when you renew your license, depending on how DPS processes the renewal. If it does change, your new number will be printed on the back of your replacement card. DPS will have the updated number in their system.
Can someone use my audit number to commit fraud?
Your audit number alone is not sensitive enough to enable identity theft or fraud. It is an internal DPS reference number, not a secret code. However, you should still protect your full license information and personal details as you would any identification document.
What if the audit number on my card is faded or unreadable?
You can request a replacement card from DPS, which will have a clearly printed audit number. Alternatively, DPS can look up your audit number in their system using your license number and personal information if you need it for a phone call or online inquiry.