The audit number is a unique identifier the Texas Department of Public Safety assigns to your driver's license record

The audit number is a six-digit code printed on your Texas driver's license. It appears in the lower right corner of the front of the card, below your license number. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) uses this number to track and verify your specific license record in their system.

This is not the same as your driver's license number. Your license number identifies you as a driver; your audit number identifies that particular physical card and the record attached to it. If you renew your license and receive a new card, you will get a new audit number.

You may need to provide this number when you contact the DPS by phone or mail to ask about your record, request a duplicate license, or resolve issues with your account. Some third-party services that verify driver's licenses also ask for it.

Key Takeaways

  • The audit number is a six-digit code printed on the front of your Texas driver's license in the lower right corner.
  • It is different from your driver's license number and changes each time you renew your license.
  • The Texas DPS uses the audit number to locate and verify your specific license record when you contact them.
  • You may be asked to provide it when calling the DPS, requesting a duplicate license, or using third-party verification services.
  • The audit number appears only on the physical card; it is not visible in online DPS records you access yourself.

Where to find your audit number on your license card

Look at the front of your Texas driver's license. The audit number is printed in small text in the lower right corner, below your eight-digit license number. It is a six-digit code with no letters.

If you are reading your license for the first time, the layout is: your photo on the left, your name and address in the center, and your license number near the bottom center. Below that license number, in the lower right area, is the audit number. The text is small but should be readable without magnification.

If you cannot locate it or your license is damaged, you can contact the Texas DPS to confirm your audit number over the phone. Have your license number and date of birth ready.

When the DPS will ask you for your audit number

The Texas DPS asks for your audit number most often when you call their customer service line to check on your record or report a problem. If you are calling about a specific license card—for example, to report it lost or to ask why a renewal was delayed—having the audit number on hand speeds up the process because it takes the DPS directly to that record.

You may also need it if you are requesting a duplicate license by mail or phone. The DPS uses the audit number to confirm which license record you are asking to duplicate and to prevent fraud.

Third-party services that verify driver's licenses—such as some financial institutions, rental car companies, or identity verification platforms—may also ask for it. These services use the audit number to confirm that the license is genuine and that the person presenting it is the actual cardholder.

What happens if you do not have your audit number

If you do not have your physical license in front of you, you can still contact the Texas DPS and provide other information to verify your identity. The DPS can look up your record using your name, date of birth, and license number. This takes longer than providing the audit number, but it is still possible.

If you are trying to verify your license with a third party and do not have the audit number, ask whether they can look it up another way. Some services will accept your license number and date of birth instead. Others may require the audit number; in that case, you would need to retrieve your physical license or contact the DPS to confirm the number.

Do not guess or make up an audit number. Providing incorrect information can delay your request or cause the verification to fail.

How the audit number differs from your license number

Your license number is an eight-digit code that stays the same throughout your life as a Texas driver, even if you renew multiple times. It is your permanent identifier in the DPS system. Your audit number is a six-digit code that changes every time you renew your license or receive a duplicate card.

Think of it this way: your license number is like your Social Security number (it follows you), while your audit number is like a serial number on a specific product (it identifies that one item). If you renew your license in 2025 and again in 2030, you will have the same license number but two different audit numbers.

When you renew online or in person at a DPS office, the system generates a new audit number for your new card. This happens automatically; you do not choose it or request it.

Protecting your audit number and license information

Your audit number is printed on your license, so anyone who sees your physical card can see it. It is not a secret code like a PIN or password. However, you should still treat it as sensitive information and not share it unnecessarily.

Do not provide your audit number to anyone who contacts you unsolicited by phone, email, or text. The Texas DPS will never ask you for your audit number in an unsolicited call; if someone claims to be from the DPS and asks for it, hang up and call the DPS directly using the number on their official website.

If you lose your license or it is stolen, report it to the DPS right away. You can request a duplicate license, which will have a new audit number. The old audit number will no longer be valid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the audit number the same as the license number?

No. Your license number is eight digits and stays the same for life. Your audit number is six digits and changes each time you renew your license or get a duplicate. Both appear on your physical card, but they serve different purposes in the DPS system.

Do I need my audit number to renew my license online?

No. The Texas DPS online renewal system uses your license number, date of birth, and other personal information to verify your identity. You do not need to enter your audit number to renew online.

What if I lost my license and do not remember my audit number?

You do not need to remember it. Call the Texas DPS or visit a DPS office in person to request a duplicate license. Provide your name, date of birth, and license number. The DPS will issue a new card with a new audit number.

Can someone use my audit number to commit fraud?

The audit number alone is not enough to commit fraud, because it is printed on your physical card and is not secret. However, if someone has your audit number along with other personal information, they might attempt identity theft. Protect your license the same way you would protect any ID card.

Where do I find my audit number if I ordered a replacement license by mail?

Your new audit number will be printed on the replacement card when it arrives. You cannot see it before the card is mailed to you. If you need to know the audit number before the card arrives, contact the Texas DPS directly.