Where to find your audit number
The audit number on a Texas driver's license is a six-digit code printed on the back of the card, in the lower right corner. It appears below the barcode and to the right of your signature line. The number is small but clearly visible against the white background of the back side.
If you are holding your license and looking at the back, scan the bottom portion of the card. The audit number will be one of the last pieces of information printed there. It is separate from your driver's license number, which appears on the front of the card.
Key Takeaways
- The audit number is a six-digit code located on the back of your Texas driver's license in the lower right corner.
- It sits below the barcode and to the right of your signature, making it one of the last items printed on the card.
- The audit number is different from your driver's license number, which is on the front.
- This number is used by the Texas Department of Public Safety to track the production and authenticity of licenses.
Why Texas includes an audit number
The audit number serves as a tracking code for the Texas Department of Public Safety. Each license produced receives its own unique audit number, which helps the department monitor which licenses were printed, when they were printed, and by which facility. This system allows the state to maintain records about the production run and batch of your specific card.
The audit number is part of the security features built into modern driver's licenses. It does not contain personal information about you — it is purely an internal tracking tool for the state. If a license is reported as lost, stolen, or fraudulent, the audit number can help authorities trace when and where that card was produced.
What the audit number is not used for
The audit number is not your driver's license number, and you should not confuse the two. Your actual license number is an eight-digit code on the front of the card, below your photograph. This is the number you use when you renew your license, provide proof of identity, or reference your license in official documents.
You will rarely need to provide your audit number for everyday purposes. It is not required when you register to vote, open a bank account, or show your license as identification. The audit number is primarily for state administrative use and verification of the card's authenticity.
Reading other codes on the back of your license
The back of your Texas driver's license contains several pieces of information beyond the audit number. Below your photograph on the front, the back displays your full address, date of birth, and eye color. There is also a barcode that encodes much of your license information in machine-readable format.
The barcode and the audit number are located near each other in the lower portion of the back side. The barcode is larger and more prominent, while the audit number is the smaller six-digit code beside it. If you are scanning the card and see a barcode, look just to the right or below it to find the audit number.
When you might need to reference your audit number
Most people never need to cite their audit number during normal life. However, if you are reporting your license as lost or stolen to the Texas Department of Public Safety, having the audit number available can speed up the process. The department can use it to when ready flag that specific card in their system.
If you are involved in a dispute about a license — for example, if someone claims a license is fraudulent or if there is a question about when your card was issued — the audit number provides a way for the state to verify the card's production details. You may also encounter requests for the audit number if you are working with law enforcement or a government agency investigating a specific license.
How to protect your audit number
Because the audit number is printed on the back of your license, it is visible to anyone who sees your card. You do not need to keep it secret the way you would protect your Social Security number or financial information. The audit number alone cannot be used to commit fraud or identity theft.
That said, you should still protect your entire driver's license from loss or theft. If your license goes missing, contact the Texas Department of Public Safety to report it. You can do this online through their website or by visiting a local driver's license office. Having your audit number handy when you report the loss can help, but the department will have your information on file regardless.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the audit number the same as my driver's license number?
No. Your driver's license number is an eight-digit code on the front of the card below your photo. The audit number is a six-digit code on the back in the lower right corner. They serve different purposes — your license number identifies you, while the audit number tracks the card's production.
Can someone use my audit number to commit fraud?
The audit number alone cannot be used for fraud or identity theft. It is a production tracking code, not personal identifying information. However, you should still protect your entire license from theft, as someone with your full license could misuse other information on it.
What should I do if I cannot find the audit number on my license?
If your license is very old or worn, the audit number may be faded or difficult to read. Older Texas licenses may also have different formatting. If you need the audit number for an official purpose, contact the Texas Department of Public Safety directly — they can look up your license information by your name and license number.
Do I need my audit number to renew my driver's license?
No. When you renew your Texas driver's license, you only need your current license number, which is on the front of the card. The audit number is not part of the renewal process.