What the audit number is and where to find it
The audit number on your Texas driver's license is a six-digit code printed on the back of the card, usually in the lower right area. It serves as an internal tracking identifier that the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) uses to verify the authenticity of your license and to match your physical card against their records during routine audits and inspections.
The audit number is not the same as your driver's license number. Your license number appears on the front of the card and is used for traffic stops, insurance claims, and identification purposes. The audit number is a separate verification tool that exists primarily for administrative and security purposes.
To locate your audit number, flip your license over and look toward the bottom right corner of the back side. It will be a six-digit number, sometimes preceded by the letters "AUD" or straightforward printed as a standalone sequence. The exact placement can vary slightly depending on when your license was issued, as DPS has updated card designs over the years.
Key Takeaways
- The audit number is a six-digit code on the back of your Texas driver's license used by DPS for internal verification and security purposes.
- It is different from your driver's license number, which appears on the front of the card and is what you provide during traffic stops or to insurance companies.
- You will find the audit number in the lower right area of the back of your license, sometimes labeled with "AUD" or printed without a label.
- The audit number helps DPS confirm that your physical card matches their database records and has not been altered or counterfeited.
Why DPS includes an audit number on your license
The audit number is part of Texas's security infrastructure for driver's licenses. When DPS conducts routine audits—either during license renewal, at inspection checkpoints, or during investigations—the audit number allows staff to quickly cross-reference your physical card against the digital record stored in their system. If the numbers match, it confirms the card is legitimate and has not been tampered with.
This system also helps detect fraudulent or altered licenses. If someone has modified a license or if a card is a forgery, the audit number will not align with DPS records, triggering a flag. Law enforcement and other officials who inspect licenses can use the audit number as one layer of verification, though they typically do not request it during routine traffic stops.
When you might need to reference your audit number
In most everyday situations, you will not need to provide your audit number. Insurance companies, employers, and police officers during traffic stops all use your driver's license number instead. The audit number is primarily an internal DPS tool.
You may encounter a request for your audit number in specific circumstances: if you are disputing a license record with DPS, if you are involved in an investigation where DPS needs to verify your card's authenticity, or if you are working with a government agency that conducts background checks and needs to confirm your identity against DPS records. In these cases, DPS staff or authorized investigators will know to ask for it.
How the audit number differs from other identifiers on your license
Your Texas driver's license contains several different numbers, and it is important to understand what each one does. Your driver's license number (the primary number on the front) is your main identifier—it is what you provide for traffic stops, insurance, employment verification, and most official purposes. This number stays with you for the life of your license unless you request a change.
Your audit number is a secondary verification code used only by DPS and authorized officials to confirm the card's legitimacy. Your license also contains your date of birth, address, and other personal information on the front. Some licenses also display a document number (sometimes called a "control number"), which is another internal tracking code DPS uses. The audit number is distinct from all of these.
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 have a few options. First, try holding the back of your license under bright light or at an angle to see if the number becomes more visible. Sometimes the print is faint but readable with better lighting.
If the number is genuinely illegible or if your license is damaged, you can contact the Texas Department of Public Safety directly. You can reach DPS by phone at 1-888-589-6556 (the general customer service line) or visit a local DPS driver's license office in person. Bring your license with you, and staff can confirm your audit number from their system. If your license is too damaged to use, you may also be directed to renew it early.
Audit numbers and license renewal
When you renew your Texas driver's license, you will receive a new physical card with a new audit number. DPS generates a fresh audit number for each license issued, so your audit number changes every time you renew. This is by design—it ensures that each card in circulation has a unique audit code tied to that specific card and that specific issuance date.
Your driver's license number, by contrast, typically remains the same across renewals unless you request a change. This is why your license number is your permanent identifier, while the audit number is tied to the physical card itself. If you have renewed your license recently and are looking at an old card, the audit numbers will be different.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the audit number the same as my driver's license number?
No. Your driver's license number is on the front of your card and is your main identifier for traffic stops, insurance, and official purposes. The audit number is a separate six-digit code on the back used only by DPS for internal verification and security checks.
Do I need to give my audit number to police during a traffic stop?
No. Police officers request your driver's license number, not your audit number. The audit number is an internal DPS tool and is not part of routine traffic enforcement. You only provide your license number and other information on the front of your card.
What happens if my audit number does not match DPS records?
A mismatch between your physical card and DPS records can indicate the card has been altered, is counterfeit, or there is a data entry error in the system. If this occurs, DPS will investigate and may ask you to renew your license or provide additional documentation to resolve the discrepancy.
Does my audit number change when I renew my license?
Yes. Each time you renew your Texas driver's license, DPS issues a new audit number for your new card. Your driver's license number typically stays the same, but the audit number is unique to each physical card issued.
Can someone use my audit number to commit fraud?
The audit number alone is not sufficient for identity theft or fraud because it is not used in everyday transactions. However, if someone has both your audit number and your driver's license number along with other personal information, it could be part of a larger fraud attempt. Protect your license as you would any identification document.