Generate AAMVA PDF417 Barcodes for Driver’s License
If you’ve ever looked at the back of a driver’s license or state ID card, you’ve probably noticed a rectangular, stacked barcode. That barcode is called a PDF417, and it encodes key personal information such as your name, address, date of birth, and license number.
Behind that barcode is a well-defined structure known as the AAMVA standard — the guideline that determines how driver’s license data is formatted and encoded. To create or test these barcodes, developers and businesses use an barcode generator, a specialized tool designed to produce AAMVA-compliant PDF417 barcodes.
What Is AAMVA?
AAMVA stands for the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. It is a non-profit organization that develops standards and best practices for motor vehicle and law enforcement agencies across North America.
One of AAMVA’s key contributions is the DL/ID Card Design Standard, which defines how information is stored electronically on driver’s licenses. This includes the data layout, encoding rules, and formatting used in the PDF417 barcode found on every U.S. driver’s license and many Canadian ID cards.
These standards ensure that all barcodes can be read consistently by verification systems, regardless of which state or province issued the ID.
What Is an AAMVA Barcode Generator?
A barcode generator is a software tool or API that creates a PDF417 barcode following the official AAMVA DL/ID standard. Unlike a simple barcode generator, this type of tool understands the specific data structure AAMVA requires — including headers, subfiles, and compliance indicators.
When you input personal data (such as name, date of birth, or license number), the generator arranges and encodes that data according to AAMVA’s rules, then outputs a PDF417 barcode image that can be printed on an ID card or scanned by any compliant reader.
Why PDF417 Barcodes Matter on the Driver License
The barcode on a US driver’s license is more than just a pattern — it’s a standardized digital signature that ensures reliable identity verification. It allows systems used by government agencies, security checkpoints, and private businesses to accurately read and validate driver’s license data.
PDF417 barcodes are essential for modern driver licenses because they provide a reliable means of storing and transmitting critical information. These two-dimensional barcodes, compliant with the AAMVA data specification, are designed to encode various data elements. Unlike traditional 1D barcodes, the PDF417 format can store large amounts of data, making it ideal for documents like driver's licenses.
Using a PDF417 generator ensures that:
- The barcode follows the correct data format (e.g., version 8, version 9, or version 10)
- The encoded information matches AAMVA field specifications
- Scanners and verification systems can read it without errors
As a result, the PDF417 barcode plays a vital role in the efficiency of identification processes in both the U.S. and Canada, providing a seamless experience for users and agencies alike.
How to Generate a PDF417 Barcode
Creating a compliant PDF417 barcode is straightforward with the right generator. Here’s a simple process:
- Enter Data Fields - provide the required fields such as first name, last name, address, date of birth, issue date, expiration date, and license number.
- Choose AAMVA Version> - select the standard version that matches your target jurisdiction (most states currently use version 8 or 9).
- Generate the Barcode - the AAMVA driver's license barcode generator encodes the data according to the chosen standard and produces a high-quality PDF417 barcode image.
- Download or Embed - export the barcode in your preferred format (PNG, SVG, or PDF) and integrate it into your ID card design or software application.
How to check PDF417 barcode?
This 2d barcode, often referred to as the AAMVA barcode when adhering to the AAMVA specification, encodes essential information like the license number and date of birth. To ensure readability, the barcode scanner should be capable of parsing the barcode data.
To check a PDF417 barcode, such as those found on U.S. driver's licenses, you can use a barcode scanner that is compatible with the PDF417 format. The most popular barcode readers are Regula, Scandit, and Inlite.
If you have a PDF417 generator, you can also create a sample barcode for testing purposes. For comprehensive data entry and verification, utilizing a barcode scanner SDK can streamline the process of capturing and interpreting the encoded data, ensuring compliance with the pdf417 AAMVA standards for driver’s license barcodes.
Why Choose pdf417mrz Barcode Generator
Our online generator is built to match the AAMVA DL/ID standard precisely. It provides:
- Accurate field mapping for all AAMVA-compliant data elements
- Support for multiple AAMVA versions
- Fast, secure, and easy-to-use interface
- Downloadable PDF417 barcodes ready for integration
With just a few clicks, you can generate pdf417 barcodes that meet the highest compliance standards — no technical expertise required.
Using our DL barcode generator, you can swiftly create barcodes that comply with all industry standards. Barcodes generated with our tool are compatible with any scanner available in the market, including BCS ID Scanner, Regula, InLite, and ScandIT.
Conclusion
The AAMVA PDF417 barcode is the backbone of modern driver’s license identification. Using an AAMVA barcode generator ensures your barcodes meet official specifications, making them compatible with verification systems nationwide.
Whether for development, testing, or integration, our tool gives you the accuracy and reliability needed to generate fully compliant AAMVA PDF417 barcodes in seconds.
Try our AAMVA barcode generator today and create professional, compliant barcodes for driver’s licenses effortlessly.