Where to find each piece of information on your card

A Texas driver's license contains 20 separate data points, and they are arranged in a specific order on both the front and back of the card. The front holds your photograph, name, address, and license number. The back contains your signature, restrictions, endorsements, and medical conditions you have disclosed to the Department of Public Safety (DPS).

The layout changed in 2015 when Texas moved to a vertical card format for first-time applicants under 21, and a horizontal format for those 21 and older. Both formats contain the same information, just positioned differently. Knowing where to look for each field matters when you need to verify information quickly or understand what a police officer or employer is checking.

Key Takeaways

  • Your license number is a unique 8-digit identifier assigned by Texas DPS and appears in the upper right corner of the front of the card.
  • The class letter (A, B, C, or M) on the front tells you what vehicles you are legally permitted to operate.
  • Restrictions are printed on the back as single letters (such as B for corrective lenses, D for hearing aid) and limit how you can drive.
  • Endorsements appear on the back as letters (such as H for hazmat, T for tractor-trailer) and expand what you are permitted to drive.
  • Your date of birth appears twice on the card: once in standard format and once as a barcode that machines can read.

Front of the card: license class and personal identification

The top section of the front displays your photograph, full legal name, and date of birth. Below that, you will see your address as it was recorded at the time you renewed or obtained the license. If you have moved, this address will not update automatically—you must notify DPS through their website or in person to change it.

The class letter appears prominently on the front and determines what you can legally drive. Class C is the standard passenger vehicle license. Class B is for vehicles over 26,001 pounds but not requiring a commercial license. Class A is for tractor-trailers and other large commercial vehicles. Class M is for motorcycles only. Your class letter is the single most important piece of information on the card because driving a vehicle outside your class is a violation, even if you are otherwise licensed.

Your license number is an 8-digit code unique to you in Texas. This number stays with you for life, even if your physical card is replaced. Insurance companies, courts, and law enforcement use this number to pull your driving record. It appears in the upper right corner of the front.

Dates and validity information on the front

The front of your license shows two dates: the date the license was issued and the date it expires. Texas licenses are valid for six years from the date of issue for most drivers. If you are over 79 years old, your license is valid for only two years and requires renewal more frequently.

The expiration date is critical because driving on an expired license is illegal, even if you are in the process of renewing. Texas allows you to renew up to one year before expiration, so you can avoid a lapse. The issue date and expiration date together tell you how long your current card has been in use and when you must take action to renew.

The back of the card: restrictions and endorsements

The back of your license contains information that modifies what you are allowed to do while driving. Restrictions are limitations placed on your driving privileges. A restriction code appears as a single letter followed by a description. Restriction B means you must wear corrective lenses (glasses or contacts). Restriction D means you must wear a hearing aid. Restriction E means you cannot drive at night. Restriction F means you cannot drive on the highway. If you have a restriction and violate it—for example, driving at night when restricted to daytime only—you can be cited even if you are otherwise licensed to drive.

Endorsements are permissions that expand what you are allowed to drive beyond your base class. Endorsement H allows you to carry hazardous materials. Endorsement T allows you to operate tractor-trailers. Endorsement P allows you to operate a school bus. Endorsement S allows you to operate a school bus carrying passengers. You cannot use an endorsement you do not have; doing so is a violation. Endorsements require additional testing and background checks, so they do not appear on every license.

The back also displays your signature as it was captured during your process or renewal. This signature is used to verify your identity when you present your license as identification. If your signature has changed significantly since your license was issued, you may want to renew early so the signature on file matches your current one.

Medical conditions and organ donor status

If you disclosed any medical conditions to DPS during your process—such as diabetes, seizure disorders, or heart conditions—these appear on the back of your license. You are not required to disclose medical conditions, but doing so can help first responders understand your health status in an emergency. The information is printed in small text and is visible only to law enforcement and medical personnel.

Your organ donor status also appears on the back. When you renew or obtain your license, you are asked whether you wish to be an organ donor. Your answer is recorded and printed on the card. This information is accessible to hospitals and transplant centers in the event of your death.

Barcodes and machine-readable information

Both the front and back of your Texas license contain barcodes and magnetic stripe data that machines can read. The barcode on the front encodes your name, date of birth, license number, and expiration date. Law enforcement officers use barcode scanners to pull up your driving record when ready during a traffic stop. The magnetic stripe on the back contains similar information in a different format.

The information encoded in these barcodes is identical to the printed information on the card. If the printed information and the barcode do not match—which can happen if your card was damaged or altered—the discrepancy will be flagged when scanned. This is one reason why you should not attempt to modify or repair a damaged license; the barcode will no longer match the printed data, and you will be unable to use it.

How to verify your information is correct

Before you leave the DPS office or after you receive your license by mail, check every field on both sides of the card. Verify that your name is spelled correctly, your date of birth matches your birth certificate, your address is current, and your class letter matches what you applied for. If you notice an error, report it to DPS when ready. Correcting errors on your license is faster and simpler than dealing with a citation or insurance claim based on incorrect information.

If your license was issued by mail and you notice an error, you can request a replacement through the DPS website or by visiting a DPS office in person. Replacement licenses cost the same as renewal and take the same amount of time to process. Do not attempt to use a license with incorrect information; doing so can create legal complications if you are stopped by law enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean if my license has a restriction code I do not recognize?

Texas uses single-letter restriction codes, and each one limits your driving in a specific way. The most common are B (corrective lenses), D (hearing aid), E (no night driving), and F (no highway driving). Your DPS record contains the full description of any restriction on your license. You can view your record online through the DPS website by entering your license number and date of birth.

Can I drive if my address on my license does not match where I actually live?

Yes, you can drive, but you should update your address with DPS as soon as possible. An outdated address can cause problems if you are stopped by police, as officers may question why your license address does not match your vehicle registration. You can update your address online through the DPS website, by mail, or in person at any DPS office.

What if the barcode on my license will not scan?

A barcode that will not scan usually means the card is damaged or the barcode was printed incorrectly. Contact DPS and request a replacement card. Bring your current license and a form of identification. Replacement cards are processed the same way as renewals and take approximately two to three weeks to arrive by mail.

Does my license show my medical conditions to everyone who sees it?

No. Medical conditions are printed in small text on the back of the card and are visible only to someone looking closely at that section. Law enforcement and medical personnel can see this information, but it is not prominently displayed. You control whether to disclose medical conditions during your process; disclosure is voluntary.

What if I have both restrictions and endorsements on my license?

You can have both at the same time. For example, you might have restriction B (corrective lenses) and endorsement H (hazmat). The restriction applies to all driving you do, and the endorsement allows you to perform a specific type of driving that your base class does not permit. Both are printed on the back of your card and are equally binding.