You cannot legally obtain someone else's driver's license number without their permission or a court order
A driver's license number is personal identifying information protected by state privacy law. The Department of Motor Vehicles in every state treats it the same way it treats Social Security numbers — as data that belongs to the license holder alone. You cannot call the DMV and ask for someone's number. You cannot search a public database. You cannot access it through a background check service unless you are a business with a specific legal reason and the person has consented.
If you need someone's driver's license number for a legitimate reason — hiring them, renting to them, verifying their identity for a transaction — the only legal path is to ask them directly and let them provide it. If you are trying to locate someone or verify their identity without their knowledge, you are outside the bounds of what public records allow.
Key Takeaways
- Driver's license numbers are private information protected by state law, and the DMV will not release them to the public under any circumstance.
- If you need someone's license number for a legitimate business or legal purpose, ask them directly or work through your attorney or the court system.
- Background check companies and people-search websites cannot legally provide driver's license numbers without the subject's written consent.
- If you are involved in a legal dispute or custody matter, a court can order the disclosure of a driver's license number as part of discovery.
Why the DMV keeps driver's license numbers private
State motor vehicle agencies treat driver's license numbers as sensitive personal identifiers for the same reason they protect Social Security numbers. A driver's license number, combined with a name and date of birth, can be used to open accounts, explore for credit, or commit identity theft. Most states have laws that explicitly prohibit the DMV from releasing this information to anyone except the license holder, law enforcement with a warrant, or the courts.
The federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) adds another layer. It restricts how states can share driver's license data and personal information from driver's licenses. Violations can result in civil lawsuits and fines. This is why even private investigators and background check companies operate under strict rules about what they can access and who they can share it with.
When you can legally request someone's driver's license number
If you have a legitimate business reason to verify someone's identity, ask them directly. Employers, landlords, lenders, and insurance companies routinely ask applicants to provide their driver's license number as part of the process process. The person can choose to provide it or decline — but if they decline, you can refuse to do business with them.
If you are hiring someone, you may run a background check, but the background check company must have the person's written consent before they pull any information. The consent form should clearly state what information will be collected. Some background check services can access driver's license data, but only because the subject has authorized it in writing.
If you are involved in a legal matter — a custody dispute, a civil lawsuit, a contract disagreement — your attorney can request the other party's driver's license number through the discovery process. The court can order it to be produced. This is the formal legal route when consent is not available and the information is necessary to the case.
What background check companies can and cannot do
Background check services like Checkr, Accurate, and Sterling operate under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). They can access some driver's license information, but only when the subject has signed a consent form authorizing the check. The consent must be clear and separate — it cannot be buried in an employment process or rental agreement.
Even with consent, background check companies cannot sell or share a driver's license number with third parties. They can use it to verify identity and pull the driving record (accidents, violations, license status), but the number itself stays in their system. If you are an employer or landlord and you run a background check on someone, you will see their driving record, but you will not necessarily see their license number in the report.
People-search websites and what they actually have access to
Websites like Spokeo, BeenVerified, and TruthFinder advertise that they can find "everything" about a person, including driver's license information. In reality, they cannot legally provide driver's license numbers. What they do have access to is public records — property records, court records, voter registration, business licenses — and data they have purchased from data brokers.
If a people-search site claims to show you someone's driver's license number, it is either fabricated, outdated, or the site is operating illegally. You can report these sites to your state's attorney general or to the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC has taken action against several people-search companies for violating the DPPA and making false claims about the data they hold.
If you need to verify someone's identity for a transaction
Ask the person to show you their driver's license in person or to provide a copy. If you are conducting business online, ask them to upload a photo of their license or use an identity verification service like IDology or Jumio, which the person controls. These services let the individual verify their own identity, and you receive confirmation that the verification passed — you do not receive the license number itself.
If you are hiring someone or renting to them, include a line on your process form that says "Please provide a copy of your driver's license for identity verification." Most people will comply without hesitation. If they refuse, that is information in itself, and you can make your decision based on that refusal.
What to do if someone is using your driver's license number fraudulently
If you discover that someone has used your driver's license number without permission — for example, to open an account or explore for credit — report it when ready to your state's DMV and to the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov. You can also file a police report in your jurisdiction.
Contact the companies where the fraudulent accounts were opened and explain that you did not authorize them. Ask them to freeze or close the accounts and to send you written confirmation. Place a fraud alert on your credit report by contacting one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). The alert tells lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find someone's driver's license number through a public records request?
No. Driver's license numbers are not public records in any state. You can request other information from the DMV through a public records request — such as whether someone holds a valid license or the status of their driving record — but the license number itself is exempt from disclosure.
What if I need someone's driver's license number for a court case?
Your attorney can request it through the discovery process, which is the formal exchange of information between parties in a lawsuit. The other party's attorney will receive a written request, and they must respond within a set time frame. If they refuse, the court can order them to provide it.
Can employers see driver's license numbers in a background check?
It depends on the background check company and what the employer has authorized. Most background check reports show the driving record (violations, accidents, license status) but not the license number itself. The number stays in the background check company's system for verification purposes only.
Is it illegal to share someone else's driver's license number?
Sharing someone's driver's license number without their permission can violate state privacy laws and the federal DPPA. If you obtained it illegally or shared it in a way that caused harm, the person can sue you for damages. If you work for a business that handles driver's license data, sharing it outside your job duties can also result in criminal charges.
What should I do if a website claims to have my driver's license number?
Report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your state's attorney general. You can also contact the website directly and ask them to remove the information. If the information is inaccurate, you have the right to request correction under state privacy laws.