Your audit number is a six-digit code printed on the back of your Texas driver's license, usually in the lower right corner near the expiration date.
The audit number appears as a small numerical sequence on the reverse side of your card. It is not the same as your driver's license number, which runs across the front. Texas uses this audit number as an internal verification tool for certain transactions and record checks. If you are looking at your license and cannot locate it when ready, check the bottom right area first — that is where the Department of Public Safety consistently places it on current licenses.
The exact position and formatting can vary slightly depending on when your license was issued, as Texas has updated its card design several times over the past decade. Older licenses may have the audit number in a slightly different location or format, but it will still be on the back of the card rather than the front.
Key Takeaways
- The audit number is a six-digit code on the back of your Texas driver's license, typically in the lower right corner.
- It is separate from your driver's license number and serves as an internal verification code for the Department of Public Safety.
- If your license was issued more than ten years ago, the audit number may be positioned slightly differently but will still be on the reverse side.
- You will need your physical license card to locate the audit number — it does not appear on digital records or online account pages.
Why Texas includes an audit number on driver's licenses
The audit number functions as a checksum or verification code that helps the Department of Public Safety confirm the authenticity of a license during transactions. When you present your license for age verification, background checks, or certain government transactions, the audit number allows the system to validate that the card is genuine and has not been altered.
This number is particularly useful for businesses and agencies that scan or electronically read driver's licenses. The audit number helps them verify that the data on the front of the card matches the internal record without having to contact the state directly. It is a security feature designed to reduce fraud and may support that the information on the card is legitimate.
How to read the audit number on your license
Turn your license over so you are looking at the back. The audit number will appear as six digits, usually printed in small black text. Look in the lower right portion of the card, near where the expiration date is printed. The number may be labeled or may straightforward appear without a label, depending on your license's issue date.
If you have trouble seeing the number due to lighting or card wear, try holding the license under a bright light or near a window. The text is small but should be clearly visible once you know where to look. If your license is very old or the back has been damaged, the audit number may be faded or difficult to read, but it should still be present.
When you might need to provide your audit number
Most everyday uses of your driver's license — buying alcohol, entering age-restricted venues, or routine traffic stops — do not require you to provide the audit number separately. The officer or cashier will see it when they examine your card, but you typically will not need to read it aloud or type it in.
You may be asked for the audit number if you are dealing with a government agency that is verifying your identity through a database system, or if you are responding to a request from the Department of Public Safety itself. Some background check companies or employment verification services may also request it as part of their verification process. If someone asks for your audit number, confirm that they have a legitimate reason before sharing it — it is not information you should routinely give out to private businesses.
What to do if you cannot find the audit number on your license
If your license is very old or the back has been worn or damaged, the audit number may be illegible. In that case, you have two options: contact the Department of Public Safety directly, or renew your license. A new license will have a clearly printed audit number and will be valid for the full renewal period.
To contact the Department of Public Safety, call 1-888-589-6789 or visit the DPS website at dps.texas.gov. You will need to provide your driver's license number and other identifying information. The department can confirm your audit number over the phone or direct you to the nearest office where you can have it verified in person. If your license is damaged enough that the audit number is unreadable, renewal is often the faster and more practical solution.
Differences between audit numbers and other license identifiers
Your Texas driver's license contains several different numbers, and it is straightforward to confuse them. Your driver's license number is the primary identifier — it is the long number printed prominently on the front of the card and is what you use when you renew your license or provide it to law enforcement. Your audit number is the six-digit code on the back and is used for verification purposes only.
You may also have a document number, which appears on your license and relates to the specific card itself rather than to you as a person. If you renew your license, you keep the same driver's license number but receive a new document number and a new audit number. The audit number is the smallest and least visible of these identifiers, which is why many people are not aware it exists until they need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the audit number the same as my driver's license number?
No. Your driver's license number is the long number on the front of your card and is your primary identifier. The audit number is a separate six-digit code on the back used for verification purposes only. They serve different functions in the system.
Can I find my audit number online or through my Texas DPS account?
The audit number does not appear in online records or digital accounts. You must look at your physical license card to find it. If you need it and cannot access your card, contact the Department of Public Safety at 1-888-589-6789.
What if my audit number is faded or hard to read?
Try viewing it under bright light. If it remains illegible, contact the Department of Public Safety or renew your license. A new license will have a clearly printed audit number and is often the simplest solution if your current card is worn.
Do I need to memorize my audit number?
No. You only need to provide it if someone specifically requests it, which is rare. Keep your physical license in a safe place so you can reference the number if needed.
Will my audit number change if I renew my license?
Yes. When you renew your license, you receive a new card with a new audit number, even though your driver's license number stays the same. The audit number is tied to the specific card, not to you as a person.