Key Takeaways
- Driver's license numbers should not appear on your resume unless the job posting explicitly requests one.
- If a position requires a license number, place it on a separate line below your phone and email, labeled clearly as "Driver's License" or "CDL Number."
- Sharing your license number with every employer you explore to increases identity theft risk without benefit to most jobs.
- When you do need to provide a license number, wait until after a phone screen or interview when you know the employer is serious about hiring you.
Why Most Resumes Should Not Include a License Number
Your driver's license number is a piece of personal identification that can be used to access your records, explore for credit, or commit identity theft. Putting it on a document you send to dozens of employers — many of whom you will never hear from again — means that number circulates through email systems, applicant tracking software, and filing cabinets at companies you may not trust with it.
Employers who actually need your license number will ask for it. They will ask during the interview, in a background check form, or in an official job offer packet. They will not expect it on your resume. Including it unprompted signals that you do not understand what information belongs on a resume, which can work against you.
When a Job Actually Requires Your License Number
Some positions genuinely need your driver's license information before they can move forward. Commercial driving jobs (truck driver, delivery driver, bus driver) require a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and the employer will want to verify it. Jobs that involve security clearances, government contracts, or positions where you will be driving company vehicles may also request your license number as part of background screening.
The key is that the job posting or the employer will tell you this. Read the posting carefully. If it says "must provide driver's license number" or "CDL verification required," then you know it matters. If it does not mention it, do not include it.
How to Format It If You Must Include It
If you have confirmed that the employer needs your license number, place it on its own line below your contact information at the top of your resume. Use a clear label so there is no confusion about what the number represents.
Your contact section might look like this:
Jane Martinez (555) 123-4567 jane.martinez@email.com Driver's License: D1234567 (State: California)
Or if it is a Commercial Driver's License:
James Chen (555) 987-6543 james.chen@email.com CDL Number: A1234567 (Class A, State: Texas)
Include the state because a license number alone means nothing — employers need to know which state issued it. If the job posting asks for your license expiration date, add that too.
When to Share Your License Number During the Hiring Process
Even if you know a job will eventually need your license number, you do not have to provide it on your initial resume. You can wait until the employer asks for it directly, which usually happens after a phone screen or interview when they are seriously considering you.
This protects you in two ways: first, your number does not sit in the email inbox of a recruiter who may never contact you again, and second, you can verify that you are actually talking to a real employer before you hand over identifying information. If someone contacts you claiming to be from a company but asking for your license number before any interview, that is a red flag for a scam.
What to Do If You Already Shared Your Number
If you have already sent your license number to employers on your resume, you do not need to panic, but you should stop doing it going forward. Remove it from your resume template and use the version without it for all future applications.
If you are concerned about a specific employer or process, you can contact them and ask them to remove the information from their records. Most legitimate companies will do this without question. You can also place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) if you are worried about identity theft, though this is usually only necessary if you believe your information was actually misused.
What Information Should Actually Go on Your Resume
Your resume should include your name, phone number, email address, and city and state (or just city if you prefer). Some people add a LinkedIn profile URL. That is all the contact information you need.
Below that comes your professional summary or objective (optional), then your work experience, education, and skills. If you have a relevant professional license or certification — like a real estate license, nursing license, or teaching credential — you can list that in a separate section, but only if it is directly relevant to the job you are explore for. A driver's license is not a professional credential in most fields, so it does not belong there either.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I put my state ID number on my resume instead of my driver's license?
No. State ID numbers carry the same identity theft risk as driver's license numbers. Do not include either unless the employer specifically asks for it in the job posting or during the hiring process.
What if the job posting says "must have valid driver's license" but does not ask for the number?
That means you need to own a valid license and be able to drive, not that you need to provide the number on your resume. You can mention in your cover letter or during an interview that you have a valid license if it seems relevant, but the number still does not go on your resume.
Is it safer to put my license number on a cover letter instead of my resume?
No. A cover letter circulates just as widely as your resume and carries the same security risk. Wait for the employer to ask for it directly, either during an interview or in a formal background check request.
Do I need to list my driver's license if I am explore for a job that does not involve driving?
No. Your driver's license is not relevant to most jobs and should not appear on your resume unless the position specifically requires it.