Your audit number is a unique identifier printed on your Texas driver's license that the Department of Public Safety uses to track and verify your license record

The audit number on a Texas driver's license is a six-digit code located on the back of your card, usually in the lower right area. It serves as an internal reference number for the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and is used when you need to verify your license status, report a lost or stolen license, or resolve discrepancies in your driving record. Unlike your driver's license number itself, the audit number is not a public identifier and is rarely needed for everyday purposes.

You may encounter a request for your audit number when contacting DPS directly by phone or in person, when dealing with certain administrative matters, or when a law enforcement officer or official needs to pull up your exact license record in their system. It is not the same as your license number, and you should not confuse the two when providing information to government agencies.

Key Takeaways

  • Your audit number is a six-digit code on the back of your Texas driver's license used by DPS to locate your specific record in their system.
  • You will find the audit number printed on the reverse side of your physical license card, typically in the lower right corner.
  • DPS may ask for your audit number when you call to report a lost license, check your record status, or resolve administrative issues with your license.
  • The audit number is different from your driver's license number and should only be provided when DPS or an authorized official specifically requests it.

Where the audit number appears on your license card

The audit number is printed on the back side of your Texas driver's license, not the front. It appears as a six-digit number and is positioned in the lower right portion of the card. The exact placement may vary slightly depending on when your license was issued, but it will always be on the back and will always be six digits long.

If you have a recently renewed license, the audit number will be in the same location as on older licenses. The number does not change when you renew your license — DPS assigns you a new audit number with each renewal, so the audit number on your current card is specific to that particular license document.

When DPS will ask for your audit number

You are most likely to be asked for your audit number when you contact the Texas Department of Public Safety directly by phone. If you call DPS to report a lost or stolen license, check the status of a renewal, or ask about a problem with your driving record, the representative may request your audit number to pull up your file quickly and accurately.

You may also be asked for it during an in-person visit to a DPS office if you are handling a complex matter that requires staff to verify your identity and locate your exact record. Law enforcement officers may also reference your audit number when they run your license through their system during a traffic stop, though they will not ask you for it — they will see it on their end.

In most routine situations — renewing your license online, paying a traffic fine, or providing your license information to an employer — you will not need your audit number. Your driver's license number is sufficient for those purposes.

How to read and use your audit number correctly

When you locate your audit number on the back of your license, write it down exactly as printed. It is a six-digit number with no letters or special characters. Do not confuse it with other numbers on the card, such as your driver's license number (which appears on the front) or any barcode numbers.

When you provide your audit number to DPS, read it slowly and clearly, digit by digit. If you are providing it over the phone, spell out each number to avoid confusion. For example, say "one-two-three-four-five-six" rather than reading it as a single number. This reduces the chance of a transcription error that could delay your request.

Keep your physical license card in a safe place so you can reference your audit number if needed. If you lose your license and cannot remember the audit number, you can still report it lost by providing your driver's license number and other identifying information — DPS will be able to locate your record without the audit number, though it may take slightly longer.

Audit number versus driver's license number

Your driver's license number and your audit number are two separate identifiers. Your driver's license number is the primary identifier for your license and appears on the front of your card. It is the number you provide to employers, insurance companies, law enforcement, and government agencies. Your audit number is an internal DPS reference code used only for administrative purposes within the DPS system.

The driver's license number stays the same throughout your life in Texas (unless you request a new one for privacy or security reasons). The audit number, however, changes each time you renew your license. This is why the audit number is specific to each license document rather than to you as a person.

When in doubt about which number to provide, give your driver's license number. Most organizations and agencies will ask for that one. Only provide your audit number if DPS specifically requests it.

What to do if you cannot find your audit number

If your license is damaged, faded, or worn and you cannot read the audit number clearly, you have several options. You can visit a DPS office in person and ask staff to read it for you from your physical card. You can also call DPS and provide your driver's license number and other identifying information — they can look up your audit number in their system and read it to you over the phone.

If your license is lost or stolen and you do not have access to the audit number, do not worry. Report the loss or theft to DPS using your driver's license number, date of birth, and other personal information. DPS will locate your record and process your request without the audit number, though having it available would speed up the process.

If you need a replacement license due to damage or loss, you can request one through the DPS website, by mail, or in person at a DPS office. Your new license will have a new audit number printed on it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my 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 primary identifier. Your audit number is a six-digit code on the back used only by DPS for internal record-keeping. They are different numbers with different purposes.

Do I need to memorize my audit number?

No. You only need your audit number if DPS asks for it, which is rare. Keep your physical license card in a safe place so you can reference it if needed. Your driver's license number is far more important to know or have available.

What happens if I give DPS the wrong audit number?

If you provide an incorrect audit number, DPS may have difficulty locating your record quickly, which could delay your request. However, they can still find your file using your driver's license number and other identifying information. If you realize you made an error, call back and provide the correct number.

Does my audit number change when I renew my license?

Yes. Each time you renew your Texas driver's license, DPS assigns a new audit number to your new license document. The audit number on your current license is specific to that particular card and will be different from the audit number on your previous license.

Can I look up my audit number online?

You cannot look up your audit number through the DPS website or online portal. You must check your physical license card or contact DPS directly by phone or in person to obtain it. This is by design, as the audit number is an internal reference code.