Where to find your audit number on your Texas driver's license

Your audit number is a four-digit code printed on the back of your Texas driver's license, in the lower right corner. It appears below your signature line and is separate from your license number. The audit number is used by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to verify the authenticity of your license when you present it to law enforcement, employers, or other agencies that need to confirm your identity.

If you have a physical license in hand right now, flip it over and look at the bottom right. You will see four digits — that is your audit number. It is printed in the same font as the rest of the license text and does not have a label next to it, so it can be straightforward to miss if you do not know what you are looking for.

The audit number is different from your Driver License Number (DLN), which appears on the front of your license. Your DLN is longer and is used for most official records. The audit number is specifically designed as a security feature to prevent fraud and to allow quick verification of your license's validity.

Key Takeaways

  • Your audit number is a four-digit code located on the back of your Texas driver's license in the lower right corner, below your signature.
  • The audit number is a security feature separate from your Driver License Number and is used to verify that your license is authentic.
  • If you cannot locate your physical license, you can contact the Texas DPS directly by phone or visit a local DPS office to request this information.
  • You will need your Driver License Number, full name, and date of birth to retrieve your audit number through official channels.

What to do if you cannot find the audit number on your card

If your license is damaged, faded, or you straightforward cannot read the audit number clearly, contact the Texas Department of Public Safety directly. You can call their Customer Service line at 1-888-589-6556. Have your Driver License Number, full name, and date of birth ready when you call. The representative will confirm your identity and provide your audit number over the phone.

You can also visit a local DPS office in person. Bring your driver's license and a second form of identification. The staff will look up your audit number in their system and provide it to you on the spot. This is often faster than calling if you have a DPS office near you.

When you might need your audit number

Law enforcement officers sometimes request your audit number during a traffic stop to verify your license is legitimate. This is part of their standard verification process and takes only a few seconds. You do not need to memorize it — straightforward show them the back of your license.

Some employers, particularly those in security, transportation, or government contracting, may ask for your audit number as part of a background check or identity verification process. Banks and financial institutions occasionally request it as well when opening accounts or processing loans. In most everyday situations, you will not need it, but it is useful to know where to find it if someone asks.

Replacing your license if the audit number is unreadable

If your license is so worn or damaged that the audit number cannot be read, you have the option to renew or replace it. A replacement license costs less than a renewal and takes less time to process. You can explore for a replacement at any DPS office or through the mail using the DPS website.

To replace your license by mail, visit the Texas DPS website, read the DL-43 form (process for Texas Driver License), and mail it along with your current license and the required fee. Processing typically takes two to three weeks. If you need the replacement sooner, visit a DPS office in person — most offices can issue a replacement on the same day or within a few days.

Understanding why Texas uses audit numbers

The audit number is part of Texas's security system to reduce identity fraud and counterfeit licenses. When someone presents a license, the four-digit audit number can be checked against DPS records in seconds. This helps law enforcement and other agencies confirm that the license is real and has not been altered or forged.

Each license issued by Texas has a unique audit number tied to that specific card and the person's record in the DPS system. If someone tries to use a fake license or a license that does not belong to them, the audit number will not match the person's identity or the information in the system.

How to verify your audit number is correct

If you want to double-check that the audit number on your license is the one registered with the Texas DPS, you can call their Customer Service line at 1-888-589-6556. They will confirm the number matches their records. You do not need a special reason to verify this — it is a routine request.

Keep in mind that your audit number will change if you renew or replace your license. Each new card issued by the DPS receives a new four-digit audit number. If you have recently renewed your license and are looking at an old card, the audit numbers will not match.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the audit number the same as my driver license number?

No. Your Driver License Number (DLN) is longer and appears on the front of your license. Your audit number is a four-digit code on the back. They serve different purposes — your DLN is your main identifier in the system, while your audit number is used to verify the license itself is authentic.

Do I need to memorize my audit number?

No. You only need to know where to find it on your license. If someone asks for it, you can straightforward show them the back of your card. You do not need to have it memorized for any official purpose.

What if I lost my license and do not have the audit number written down anywhere?

Call the Texas DPS at 1-888-589-6556 with your Driver License Number, full name, and date of birth. They can provide your audit number from their records. You can also visit a DPS office in person with a second form of identification and they will look it up for you.

Will my audit number change if I renew my license?

Yes. Each time you renew or replace your license, the Texas DPS issues a new audit number. The old audit number is no longer valid once your new license is issued. This is another security feature to prevent the use of outdated or fraudulent cards.

Can someone use my audit number to commit fraud?

The audit number alone is not enough to commit fraud. It is only useful when paired with a physical license card. If someone has your audit number but not your license, they cannot use it to impersonate you. The audit number is a verification tool for people who already have your license in hand.