The audit number is printed on the back of your Texas driver's license, in the lower right corner below the barcode
The audit number on a Texas driver's license is a six-digit code that appears on the back of the card. It sits in the lower right area, underneath the two-dimensional barcode. The number is small and printed in black text. You will not find it on the front of the license — it is exclusively on the reverse side.
This audit number is used by law enforcement, businesses, and government agencies to verify the authenticity of your license when they scan or manually check it. It is part of Texas's security features designed to prevent counterfeiting and fraud. If you are asked to provide your audit number, you will need to look at the physical card itself, as it does not appear on digital copies or screenshots.
The exact position can vary slightly depending on when your license was issued, as Texas has updated its card design over time. However, the lower right corner of the back side is the consistent location across recent license versions.
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 appears below the two-dimensional barcode and is printed in small black text.
- The audit number is used by law enforcement and businesses to verify your license is authentic.
- You must have the physical card to see the audit number — it does not appear on digital versions or online records.
Why Texas Includes an Audit Number on Driver's Licenses
Texas added the audit number as part of a security feature system to combat identity theft and license fraud. When a police officer, bank teller, or business owner scans your license with a reader device, the audit number is one of several data points that confirms the card is genuine and has not been altered or counterfeited.
The audit number is tied to the information encoded in the barcode on the back of your license. If someone has tampered with the card or created a fake license, the audit number will not match the data in the barcode, which alerts the person checking it that something is wrong. This layered approach to security makes it much harder for fraudsters to create convincing fake licenses.
You may be asked to provide your audit number if you are opening a bank account, explore for credit, or in some cases during a traffic stop. Having this number visible and verifiable on the card itself is part of Texas's effort to meet federal Real ID standards and maintain the integrity of driver's license documents.
How to Read Your Audit Number Correctly
To locate your audit number, flip your Texas driver's license over so you are looking at the back. The barcode — a square grid pattern — will be visible in the center-right area of the card. Look directly below and slightly to the right of that barcode. You will see a six-digit number printed in a smaller font than the barcode itself.
The audit number consists only of numbers, no letters. Write it down carefully if you need to provide it to someone, as a single digit entered incorrectly can cause verification to fail. The number is printed in black ink on the white or light-colored background of the card back.
If your license is worn, faded, or damaged, the audit number may be harder to read. If you cannot make out the number clearly, you can request a replacement license from the Texas Department of Public Safety. A new card will have a crisp, legible audit number printed on it.
When You Might Need to Provide Your Audit Number
Banks and credit unions often ask for your audit number when you open an account or explore for a loan. They use it to verify that your license is real and matches your identity. Some employers request it during the background check process as part of identity verification.
Law enforcement may reference your audit number during a traffic stop or when running a background check, though they typically scan the barcode rather than asking you to read the number aloud. If you are involved in a legal matter or court proceeding, your audit number may be recorded as part of your identification documentation.
Rental car companies, hotels, and other businesses that need to verify your identity may also ask for this number. It is a standard part of the verification process because it is difficult to forge and is tied directly to your specific license card.
What to Do If You Cannot Find Your Audit Number
If your license is too damaged or faded to read the audit number, or if you have lost your physical license, you will need to obtain a replacement. You can request a duplicate license from any Texas Department of Public Safety office or through their online portal if you are renewing at the same time.
When you receive your replacement license, the audit number will be printed on the back in the same location. The new number will be different from your old one, as each physical card has its own unique audit number. Keep your new license in good condition to avoid having to replace it again.
If someone asks you for your audit number and you do not have your license with you, you can tell them you will provide it once you have access to your card. Most businesses and agencies understand that you cannot read a number from a card you do not have in hand.
How the Audit Number Differs From Other License Numbers
Your Texas driver's license contains several different numbers, and it is important to know which is which. Your driver's license number is the main identifier — it is printed on the front of the card and is used for most official purposes. This is the number you provide when renewing your license or when a police officer asks for your license number.
The audit number is different and appears only on the back. It is shorter (six digits) and is used specifically for verification and fraud detection. Your date of birth and other personal information also appear on the front. The barcode on the back encodes much of this information in machine-readable form.
When someone asks for your "license number," they typically mean your driver's license number from the front, not the audit number. However, if they specifically ask for the audit number, you will need to flip the card over and read the six-digit code from the lower right corner of the back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the audit number the same as my driver's license number?
No. Your driver's license number is on the front of the card and is your main identifier. The audit number is a separate six-digit code on the back used for verification purposes. They are different numbers.
Can I find my audit number online or through the Texas DPS website?
No. The audit number is printed only on the physical card itself. It does not appear in online records or digital copies of your license. You must have the actual card in hand to see it.
What if my audit number is smudged or unreadable?
If the number is too faded or damaged to read, you can request a replacement license from the Texas Department of Public Safety. A new card will have a clear, legible audit number printed on the back.
Do I need to memorize my audit number?
No. You only need to provide it when specifically asked, and you can read it directly from your card at that time. There is no reason to memorize it.
Is the audit number used for anything other than verification?
The audit number is primarily used by law enforcement, banks, and businesses to confirm your license is authentic and has not been altered. It is not used for routine identification or record-keeping the way your driver's license number is.