Your audit number is a tracking code the Texas Department of Public Safety uses to identify your driver's license record
The audit number on a Texas driver's license is a unique identifier printed on the back of your card. It looks like a series of numbers and letters, and it serves as an internal reference code for the Department of Public Safety (DPS). When you renew your license, request a replacement, or the state needs to pull up your driving record, this number helps them locate your specific file quickly.
You will see the audit number printed on the back of your physical license card, usually in small text. It is not the same as your driver's license number (which appears on the front), your Social Security number, or your license plate number. The audit number changes each time you renew your license, so the one on an expired card will not match the one on your current card.
The audit number exists primarily for DPS internal use. You may need to reference it if you are requesting your own driving record, disputing an error on your record, or working with a lawyer or insurance company that needs to verify your license status with the state.
Key Takeaways
- Your audit number is a unique tracking code printed on the back of your Texas driver's license that the Department of Public Safety uses to locate your record.
- The audit number changes each time you renew your license, so your expired card will have a different number than your current one.
- You may need to provide your audit number when requesting your driving record, disputing record errors, or working with insurance or legal representatives.
- The audit number is different from your driver's license number, Social Security number, or any other identification number you carry.
Where to find your audit number on your license card
Look at the back of your Texas driver's license. The audit number is printed in small text, usually near the bottom or along the edge of the card. It will be a combination of numbers and letters. If you are having trouble locating it, hold the card up to good light — the text is small and can be hard to spot on the first look.
If your license is expired or you no longer have it, you can still find your audit number by requesting your driving record from the Texas DPS. You can order a copy of your record online through the DPS website, by mail, or in person at a DPS office. The record will include your current audit number.
When you might need to provide your audit number
Most of the time, you will not need to give your audit number to anyone. Your driver's license number is what most businesses, law enforcement, and government agencies ask for. However, there are specific situations where the audit number becomes useful.
If you are requesting your own driving record from the DPS, you may be asked for your audit number to speed up the search. If you are working with a lawyer on a traffic case or insurance claim, they might ask for it to verify your license status with the state. Insurance companies sometimes request it when investigating a claim or verifying your driving history. If you are disputing an error on your driving record — such as points that should not be there or a conviction that was dismissed — the audit number helps the DPS locate the exact record you are referring to.
How your audit number differs from your license number
Your driver's license number is your primary identifier and appears on the front of your card. It stays the same throughout your life in Texas, even when you renew your license. Businesses, police officers, and government agencies use your license number to identify you.
Your audit number, by contrast, is an internal DPS tracking code that changes with each renewal. It is printed on the back of the card and is not meant for public use. Think of your license number as your permanent identifier and your audit number as a temporary reference code for that particular card.
What happens to your audit number when you renew
When you renew your Texas driver's license, you receive a new physical card with a new audit number. The old audit number is no longer active. If you need to reference your driving record after a renewal, use the audit number from your current card, not the expired one.
This is why it is important to check the back of your new license when you receive it and note the audit number if you think you might need it soon. If you renew online or by mail and do not receive your new card right away, you can still request your driving record using your license number instead — the DPS can look you up either way.
How to request your driving record if you do not have your audit number
You do not need your audit number to request your driving record. The Texas DPS can locate your record using your driver's license number, name, and date of birth. You can order your record online through the official DPS website, by mail, or in person at any DPS office.
If you order online, you will typically receive a digital copy within minutes. By mail, it takes five to ten business days. In person, you can usually get a copy the same day. Bring a valid form of identification and be prepared to pay a small fee — the cost varies depending on the type of record you request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my audit number the same as my driver's license number?
No. Your driver's license number appears on the front of your card and stays the same for life. Your audit number is on the back, is used only by the DPS internally, and changes each time you renew your license.
Do I need my audit number to renew my license?
No. You renew using your driver's license number, name, and date of birth. The audit number is generated automatically when you receive your new card.
What if I lost my license and do not know my audit number?
You do not need it. Request a replacement license using your driver's license number and identification. When your new card arrives, it will have a new audit number printed on the back.
Can someone use my audit number to access my driving record?
The audit number alone is not enough to pull your full driving record — the DPS requires additional identifying information. However, treat it like any other number on your license and do not share it unnecessarily.
Where do I find the DPS website to request my driving record?
Visit the Texas Department of Public Safety official website. Search for "Texas DPS driving record" to find the correct page. Be cautious of third-party sites that charge extra fees — you can always request your record directly from the state at no markup.