A driver’s license number is a combination of unique numbers and letters assigned explicitly to you when applying for your driver’s license in California. It can help you with many things, including background checks, car insurance quotes, and lease agreements, so here is everything you need to know about a California driver’s license number, what it contains, and how to verify it.
If you have your California driver’s license, finding your license number should be simple because it is in the front and center of the card. On the other hand, if you have lost your driver’s license card, you will still need your license number to apply for a replacement. Fortunately, there are various ways in which you may still be able to find your driver’s license number. These include:
If you have an expired driver’s license card issued by the same licensing agency, you will be relieved to learn that it has the same license number as the one you lost. Therefore, if you have saved the expired driver’s license card, you will find your license number on it. However, it is important to note that different states issue different driver’s license numbers. Therefore, the license number will not be the same if you got your expired driver’s license in another state. Additionally, if you were previously issued a learner’s permit, it may contain a different license number than your driver’s license.
You may also find your driver’s license number listed on your vehicle registration. In most cases, you are required by law to keep a copy of your vehicle registration inside your vehicle. Therefore, this may help you retrieve your license number quite easily. Additionally, you may find your license number on some of the correspondence emails you received regarding your vehicle registration, including the renewal notices.
Another easy way to find your driver’s license number is by going through some of the previous checks you wrote. If you had a personal check canceled in the past, the bank likely sent you digital images of the check. Since most enterprises usually write your driver’s license number on a personal check before accepting, you can find your license number this way. On the other hand, if you have not written a personal check in a long time, you can still retrieve your driver’s license number on some of your online records with your bank.
When applying for a car lease or loan agreement in California, you must provide a copy of your valid driver’s license and other documents. As the lessee, your auto insurance policy should cover the owner’s vehicle for the period you lease it. Additionally, you must provide proof of identity when applying for a car loan from a registered dealer in California. The lender usually asks for a valid driver’s license or permit issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Therefore, you can find your driver’s license number on a copy of a car lease or loan agreement you had.
When applying for an auto insurance policy, the insurance company will ask you to provide a valid driver’s license copy. Even though your actual driver’s license number may not be listed on the auto insurance policy, it will be in the insurer’s records. Therefore, if you have an online account with your insurance company, you can find your driver’s license number. You need to search for the initial auto insurance policy quote or a copy of your initial policy application. If you cannot find your driver’s license number in these records, you should call the insurance company and explain your situation. Once the insurance company representative has verified your identity, they will share your driver’s license number.
Some licensing agencies in California can tell you your driver’s license number over the phone. When you call the agency, a representative will ask you a few questions regarding your identity and driving record. Once they verify your identity, they will give you the license number. Even if the licensing agency has a strict policy regarding releasing driver’s license numbers over the phone, they will still advise you on how to get the number without visiting their offices.
You can also find your driver’s license number on your driving record. Even though these records are for tracking traffic violations, you can still use them to retrieve your license number. In addition to your California driver’s license number, your driving record contains other information such as your name, mailing address, driving history, and the type of driver’s license.
Your driver’s license number in California is the same as your ID number. The number is at the front and center of the driver’s license or ID card. However, in October 2020, California DMV began issuing new REAL ID cards and driver’s licenses. The driver’s licenses and ID cards have images of golden poppies (California’s official flower), an outline of the state in the background, a Gold Rush miner, and sailboats on the right-hand side.
Additionally, these new cards have UV images and will come with a white Real ID star inside a golden bear. The star indicates a federally compliant driver’s license and ID card. Californians can use the new driver’s licenses and ID cards to board domestic flights and even enter military bases and secure federal facilities.
However, if you are not boarding any domestic flights or accessing any of the mentioned facilities, you do not have to get a REAL ID or driver’s license. The state’s DMV will continue to issue federal non-compliant driver’s licenses and ID cards. However, these cards will include a ‘Federal Limits Apply’ designation.
Every state has a unique numbering system for its driver’s license numbers. Some states used Social Security numbers on driver’s licenses years ago, but that no longer applies.
According to the National Traffic Safety Institute (NTSI), a California driver’s license number starts with one letter followed by seven digits.
The letter is sequential, while the following seven numbers appear on the driver’s license and ID card.
An example of a California driver’s license number would be A1234567.
In addition to this number, your driver’s license also contains an audit number also known as a Document Discriminator (DD). This number is unique and is added to a driver’s license number to the date and place of the driver’s license issuance.
When you contact the state’s DMV or try to retrieve your driving records, you may be asked for the DD number to verify your identity.
Other information you will find in your California driver’s license includes:
California DMV records are public information that any resident can access at a fee. These records include statistical information about vehicle registration, occupational licenses, and driver’s licenses. If you request a copy of your California DMV records online, it is only for verification purposes.
However, if you would like to obtain an official copy for employment purposes or get information about points on your driver’s license, you must order one by mail. You can also visit the offices of your local California DMV.
Since California DMV records are public, others can also request to view your driving record, including your attorney, insurance company, and employer. Insurance companies usually review clients’ driving records to determine the premium rates to charge for auto insurance policies.
However, just because California DMV records are public does not mean anyone can access them. You must provide certain information to verify your identity before the DMV issues you with a copy of your driving records. If you fail to do so, the DMV will withhold the information.
The following are the various ways you can verify your California driver’s license:
