You cannot legally obtain someone else's driver license number without their permission

A driver license number is private information protected by state law. You cannot request it from the DMV, law enforcement, or any government agency on behalf of another person. If you need someone's driver license number for a legitimate reason — hiring them, renting to them, verifying their identity — you must ask them directly.

The only exceptions are narrow: law enforcement with a warrant, court-ordered discovery in litigation, and in some cases employers or landlords who have a signed consent form. Even then, the person whose number it is has the right to know you requested it.

Key Takeaways

  • Driver license numbers are legally protected private information, and requesting someone else's without consent is illegal in all states.
  • If you need the number for employment, housing, or business purposes, ask the person directly and have them provide it themselves.
  • Some businesses use third-party background check services, but those services require the subject's written consent before pulling any records.
  • Law enforcement and courts can access driver license numbers through official channels, but private citizens cannot.

Why you need to ask the person directly

If you are hiring someone, renting to them, or doing business with them, the standard practice is to ask them to provide their driver license number themselves. This protects both of you: they know you have it, and you have a record of their consent.

For employment, most employers ask candidates to bring a valid ID to their first day or to a verification appointment. For rental housing, landlords typically ask tenants to provide a copy of their driver license as part of the lease signing. For financial transactions, banks and credit card companies ask customers to provide ID information directly.

Having the person provide it themselves also protects you legally. If you later need to show you obtained the information properly, you have evidence of their consent.

What to do if someone refuses to provide their number

If someone will not give you their driver license number and you need it for a legitimate business reason, you have limited options. You can decline to hire them, rent to them, or do business with them — that is your right. You cannot go around them to get it.

If you are an employer and a candidate refuses to provide ID information, you can make the job offer conditional on passing a background check that requires ID verification. The candidate then has the choice to consent or walk away. If you are a landlord, you can require ID as a condition of the lease.

What you cannot do is hire a private investigator, use a data broker, or contact the DMV to get the number without the person's knowledge. All of those routes are illegal.

Background checks and third-party services

Some employers and landlords use third-party background check companies. These services can access driver license information, but only if the subject signs a consent form first. The consent form must be separate, clear, and specific — buried in fine print does not count.

If you are using a background check service, the company will handle the request to the DMV or state records system on your behalf. You do not contact the DMV yourself. The service then provides you with the results, which may include the driver license number if it is relevant to what you ordered.

The person being checked has the right to know a background check was ordered and to see the results. Many states require the employer or landlord to give them a copy of the report.

What happens if you try to get it illegally

Attempting to obtain someone's driver license number without consent can result in criminal charges. The specific crime varies by state — it may be called identity theft, unauthorized access to government records, or fraud — but all states have laws against it.

Civil liability is also possible. If someone can show you obtained their driver license number illegally and used it to harm them (opening accounts, explore for credit, or similar), they can sue you for damages.

If you work for a business and you access driver license information you are not authorized to access, you can be fired and potentially prosecuted. Many states have specific laws about employees who misuse access to government databases.

When law enforcement or courts can access it

Police and federal agents can request driver license information from the DMV as part of an investigation. They do not need the person's consent, but they do need legal authority — usually a warrant, subpoena, or court order.

In civil litigation, one party can request the other party's driver license number through the discovery process. This is part of the lawsuit, and both sides' lawyers are involved. It is not something a private person can do on their own.

If you are involved in a lawsuit and need someone's driver license number, your attorney will request it through proper legal channels. You should not try to obtain it yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I look up a driver license number if I have someone's name and address?

No. The DMV does not provide driver license numbers to the public, even if you have other identifying information. You would need to contact the person directly and ask them for it.

What if I lost touch with someone and need their driver license number to contact them?

A driver license number is not a way to locate someone. If you have lost touch with a person, use other methods: social media, mutual friends, a people search website (which does not require consent), or straightforward asking mutual contacts if they have current contact information.

Can a business use my driver license number without asking me first?

No. Any business that collects your driver license number should tell you why they need it and how they will use it. If they obtained it without your knowledge, that is illegal. You can file a complaint with your state's attorney general or the FTC.

Is it legal to share someone else's driver license number if they gave it to me?

Sharing it depends on the context and what you agreed to. If someone gave you their number for a specific purpose — like verifying their identity for a job — you should not share it with others without asking them first. Treat it as confidential information.

What should I do if I think someone obtained my driver license number illegally?

Contact your state's DMV and report it. Ask if there have been any unusual requests for your records. You can also place a fraud alert with the credit bureaus and monitor your credit report for unauthorized accounts. If you know who obtained it, you can file a police report.