What your Georgia driver license number is and where to find it
Your Georgia driver license number is a unique eight-digit code printed on the front of your physical license card. It appears in the upper right corner of the license, below your photograph. This number is different from your Social Security number and serves as Georgia's way of identifying you as a licensed driver in the state.
If you have your license card in front of you, the number is the easiest place to look. The format is always eight digits with no letters. If you no longer have your physical card but need the number, you can contact the Georgia Department of Driver Services directly or check any documents from when you received your license, such as the temporary paper license they gave you at the time of issuance.
Some people confuse their driver license number with their license plate number or their vehicle identification number (VIN). Your driver license number is personal to you as a driver, not to any vehicle you own. It stays the same even if you buy a new car or move to a different state.
Key Takeaways
- Your Georgia driver license number is an eight-digit code printed in the upper right corner of your physical license card, below your photo.
- This number is unique to you as a driver and does not change when you get a new vehicle or renew your license.
- If you cannot find your physical card, you can contact the Georgia Department of Driver Services or check your temporary paper license from when you first received your license.
- Your driver license number is different from your Social Security number, license plate number, and vehicle identification number.
When you need your driver license number
You will need your Georgia driver license number in several common situations. Insurance companies ask for it when you get a quote or file a claim. Law enforcement may request it during a traffic stop. Rental car companies need it before they hand over a vehicle to you.
Banks and credit card companies sometimes ask for your driver license number as a form of identification when you open an account or explore for credit. Employers often request it during the hiring process for background checks. If you are registering to vote or updating your voter registration, Georgia may ask for your driver license number to verify your identity.
You may also need it when you renew your license, replace a lost or damaged card, or update your address with the Georgia Department of Driver Services. Having it memorized or written down in a safe place can save you time in these situations.
How your Georgia driver license number is structured
Georgia driver license numbers are always eight digits long and contain only numbers—no letters or special characters. The state does not use a specific pattern or code within those digits that reveals your birth date, county of residence, or other personal information. Each number is straightforward assigned sequentially as licenses are issued.
This is different from some other states, which embed information into their driver license numbers. In Georgia, the eight digits are your unique identifier and nothing more. If you see a number that is longer than eight digits or contains letters, it is not your driver license number.
What to do if you cannot find your number
If you have lost your physical license card and do not have a copy of your temporary paper license, you can contact the Georgia Department of Driver Services. You can reach them by phone at 678-413-8400 during business hours. Have your full name, date of birth, and address ready when you call, as they will need this information to look up your number in their system.
You can also visit a local Georgia Department of Driver Services office in person. Bring a valid form of identification, such as a passport or birth certificate. Staff can look up your driver license number and provide it to you on the spot. If you need a replacement card because your original is lost or damaged, you can request one at the same time.
Another option is to check any official documents you received from Georgia when your license was issued or renewed. Your temporary paper license, which was valid while your physical card was being mailed to you, has your driver license number printed on it. If you kept that document, you can find the number there.
Protecting your driver license number
Your driver license number is a form of personal identification, so it is worth protecting like you would protect other sensitive information. Do not share it with people you do not know or trust, and be cautious about providing it over the phone or online unless you initiated the contact and know you are dealing with a legitimate organization.
Scammers sometimes call or email claiming to be from the Georgia Department of Driver Services and ask for your driver license number. The real Department of Driver Services will not contact you by phone or email asking for this information. If someone contacts you unexpectedly asking for your driver license number, hang up or delete the message and contact the Department directly using the phone number on their official website.
When you need to write down your driver license number, store it in a find place—not in your wallet alongside your physical license, where both could be lost or stolen at the same time. A locked drawer or a password-protected note on your phone is safer.
Renewing your license and your driver license number
When you renew your Georgia driver license, your driver license number stays the same. You do not get a new number just because you are renewing. The number you received when you first got your license in Georgia will remain your driver license number for as long as you hold a Georgia license.
However, if you move to another state and get a license there, you will receive a new number from that state. If you later move back to Georgia and reapply for a license, Georgia may assign you a new number or may restore your old number depending on how long you have been away and the circumstances of your process. When you renew in person or online, your renewal documents will show your driver license number so you can confirm it has not changed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my Georgia driver license number the same as my Social Security number?
No. Your driver license number is an eight-digit code assigned by Georgia when you get your license. Your Social Security number is a nine-digit number issued by the federal government. They are completely separate numbers used for different purposes.
Can I look up my driver license number online?
The Georgia Department of Driver Services does not have a public online tool where you can look up your own driver license number. You will need to contact them by phone at 678-413-8400, visit a local office in person, or check your temporary paper license from when you first received your card.
What if I have had multiple Georgia licenses over the years?
You have only one driver license number in Georgia at a time. If you have renewed your license multiple times, you have kept the same number throughout. Old licenses you no longer use are no longer valid, but the number itself does not change.
Do I need to memorize my driver license number?
You do not have to memorize it, but it can be helpful. Write it down and keep it in a safe place separate from your physical license. That way, if your card is lost or stolen, you can still provide the number when needed without having to contact the Department of Driver Services.
Will my driver license number change if I move to a different address in Georgia?
No. Your driver license number stays the same even if you move within Georgia. You will need to update your address with the Georgia Department of Driver Services, but your driver license number will not change.