Your audit number is a six-digit code printed on your Texas driver's license that the Department of Public Safety uses to verify the document's authenticity

The audit number appears in the bottom right corner of your Texas driver's license, below your license number. It looks like a string of six digits — for example, 123456. This number is not random. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) generates it using a formula based on information from your license process, and it serves as a built-in security feature.

When someone needs to confirm that your license is genuine — a police officer during a traffic stop, a business checking your identity, or a government agency verifying your information — they can use the audit number to cross-check against DPS records. If the number matches what DPS has on file for your license number and date of birth, the license is authentic. If it does not match, the document may be fraudulent or altered.

You will not need to memorize or use this number in everyday situations. It exists primarily for verification purposes by officials and organizations that have a legitimate reason to check your identity.

Key Takeaways

  • The audit number is a six-digit code in the bottom right corner of your Texas driver's license that DPS uses to verify authenticity.
  • The number is generated using a mathematical formula based on your process information, not assigned randomly.
  • Law enforcement, businesses, and government agencies can use the audit number to confirm your license is genuine.
  • You do not need to provide or reference your audit number for routine identification purposes.

Where the audit number appears on your license

Look at the front of your physical Texas driver's license. In the bottom right corner, below your eight-digit license number, you will see a smaller six-digit number. That is your audit number. It is printed in the same font and color as the rest of the license text, so it blends in with other information on the card.

The placement is consistent across all Texas driver's licenses issued in recent years. If you have an older license from before 2009, the audit number may not be present, as DPS added this security feature as part of a license redesign. If you renew your license, DPS will generate a new audit number for your updated card.

How DPS uses the audit number to verify licenses

The audit number is calculated using an algorithm that takes your license number, date of birth, and other identifying information from your process and produces a specific six-digit result. This means the number is mathematically tied to your identity and license details.

When a police officer, bank teller, or government worker needs to verify that your license is real, they can enter your license number and audit number into the DPS database. If the audit number matches what the system calculates for that license number, the license passes the authenticity check. This prevents someone from straightforward photocopying or altering a license, because they would have to know the formula DPS uses — which is not public information.

Most routine identity checks do not involve this verification step. A cashier checking your ID at a store is usually just confirming that the photo looks like you and the license has not expired. But in higher-stakes situations — a traffic stop, a background check, or a court proceeding — officials may run the audit number to confirm the document is genuine.

What to do if you cannot find your audit number

If your license is worn, faded, or damaged and you cannot read the audit number clearly, you do not need to take any action. The audit number is for verification purposes only, and you will not be asked to recite it or provide it on forms.

If you are concerned that your license may be counterfeit or altered, or if someone has told you that your audit number does not match DPS records, contact the DPS directly. You can reach the DPS Driver License Division by phone at 1-888-589-6556 or visit a local DPS office in person with your license. Bring any documentation related to when and where you obtained the license.

Audit numbers and license renewal

When you renew your Texas driver's license, DPS will issue you a new license card with a new audit number. The old audit number becomes invalid once your new license is activated. This is normal and expected — each license card has its own unique audit number tied to that specific card.

You do not need to do anything special to receive your new audit number. It is generated automatically by DPS when your renewal is processed. If you renew online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office, the process is the same.

Why this matters for identity verification

The audit number is one of several security features built into modern Texas driver's licenses to prevent fraud and counterfeiting. Other features include a hologram, a magnetic stripe, and microprinting. Together, these elements make it much harder for someone to create a fake license or alter a real one without detection.

For you as a license holder, this means your identity is harder to steal or impersonate. For officials who need to verify your identity, it means they have a reliable way to confirm your license is genuine. The audit number is a small but important part of that system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone use my audit number to commit fraud?

The audit number alone is not enough to commit fraud. Someone would need your actual license card, your license number, and your date of birth to attempt verification. The audit number is a verification tool for officials, not a secret code that grants access to anything. If you are concerned about identity theft, monitor your credit reports and watch for unauthorized accounts.

Is the audit number the same as my license number?

No. Your license number is an eight-digit code unique to you. Your audit number is a six-digit code that DPS generates to verify the license is authentic. They appear in different locations on the card and serve different purposes.

What if my audit number does not match when someone checks it?

This is rare but can happen if your license has been altered, if there is an error in the DPS database, or if the person checking it entered the information incorrectly. If this occurs during a traffic stop or official interaction, ask the officer or official to contact DPS directly to verify. You can also contact DPS yourself afterward to report the discrepancy.

Do I need to know my audit number for anything?

No. The audit number is for DPS and officials who verify licenses. You will never be asked to provide it on a form, over the phone, or as part of a routine identification check. If someone asks you for your audit number outside of an official verification context, that is a red flag.