Arguably the most common of form of ID, driver’s licenses are used any time we need to confirm who we are (and more often than not, how old we are). Drivers license barcodes, along with newly updated license designs, began rolling out in May 2016 in Illinois. More on state to state variation below.

What kind of barcodes are on the back of a driver’s license?

If you take a look at the backside of your ID, you’ll find a rectangular black and white pattern known as a PDF417 barcode.

It may not look like your standard barcode, but that PDF417 code contains all the information on the front of your driver’s license or state ID in a single code.

A micro PDF417 is a type of 2D barcode that is capable of storing much more information than the standard 1D code. You may be familiar with QR Codes that you’ve scanned with your phone. Both are types of 2D codes that can be read with a 2D Imager barcode scanner.

Best Barcode Scanners for Driver’s License Verification

Many businesses are using a 2D imager like the AirTrack S2 to quickly verify your age or capture basic info from your driver’s license rather than manually checking ID.

Scanners made specifically for driver’s license verification have many benefits:

• Fast capture, so you keep the line moving in the grocery or convenience store
• 100% accuracy in verification, sidestepping errors from manual ID checks at checkout
• Protection from fraudulent and fake driver’s licenses

While not every state organizes the information contained in ID barcodes the exact same way, the advantage is that criminals cannot change the information in the barcode.

This makes it extremely difficult to create a fake drivers license barcode without knowing exactly how each state encodes the data.

If the barcode isn’t created properly, it won’t read properly.

With the AirTrack S2 scanner, you can scan the code on the back of a driver’s licenses from any state to verify someone’s age quickly and accurately. This is due to the scanner’s ability to parse all the data correctly for you.

The parsing software on the scanner outputs the data you need, in the order you need it, regardless of what state you are dealing with. It’s actually faster than looking at the ID.

Another ID verification scanner we offer is the Honeywell 1400g, with models specifically designed to read PDF417 codes quickly and accurately. Corded and wireless options are available, so you can verify IDs at both the checkout counter or live event.

Avoid Fraud, Errors, and Lost Revenue

Given how simple and cost-effective 2D scanners are to get up and running, every storefront selling age restricted products should have a 2D scanner for age verification/customer info.

Related: Discount Store Case Study

With a simple scan, you avoid fraudulent ID usage and save your business from legal issues, errors, and lost revenue.

Browse our full collection of driver’s license barcode scanners and please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions about the best 2D imagers for your business.

Looking for a presentation scanner to read barcodes and verify customer IDs? We have the solution for you!

The Code Reader CR5000 is a smart, compact, and reliable barcode scanner which comes ready to use straight out of the box and can be integrated into nearly any Point of Sale system. The CR5000 is built to read virtually any barcode, whether 1D, 2D, or postal codes on a variety of surface types, including food packaging, smart phones, and drivers’ licenses, with blazing speeds and accuracy. With its dual-field optical technology, the CR5000 reader can scan both high-density and large-scale barcodes with ease. The Code CR5000 is more than a barcode reader, it’s a tool that adds workflow efficiency and serves a better experience for customers at checkout.

Featuring image capture technology, the Code CR5000 lets users store coupons and signatures without specialized software. The customizable driver’s license formatting allows users to target specific customer information and automatically populate fields in credit or loyalty applications. With its advanced data formatting capabilities, the Code CR5000 provides dependable cross-platform integration, including iOS.

With the optional age verification feature, the CR5000 barcode scanner is also perfect for applications where you need to verify a customer’s age. This feature allows the user to read drivers’ licenses and ID cards quickly and accurately to ensure the business is in compliance with state regulations.

Key Features:

• High speed, Omnidirectional reading of 1D, 2D, postal barcodes, and drivers’ licenses
• Hands-free operation or manual trigger scanning for high-volume, fast reading of large, heavy, bulk items
• Omnidirectional scan radius allows the reader head to rotate to the best angle

• Quickly reads barcodes from mobile device screens
• Customizable driver’s license data formatting for loyalty and credit applications
• Visual, audible, and haptic indicators programmable for workflow needs
• Compact, lightweight, and ergonomic design makes operation easy
• Convenient, cost-effective method for employee time keeping
• Efficient power consumption
• Powerful data editing and formatting capabilities with JavaScript
• Patented dual-field optics, both high density and wide field in the same unit
• Patented glare reduction technology for reading barcodes on shiny surfaces
• CortexRM® Remote Management ready
• Compatible with Code’s CortexTools2® software configuration utility
• CodeComplete^TM service and extended warranty plans
• Compatible with Code’s rapid disconnect USB, RS232, and Bluetooth Affinity® cables

Optional Age Verification Solution:

• Audible tone alerts user of underage patron
• Reads all barcoded identification cards
• Does not require a PC or manual management of data
• May be configured for primary and secondary minimum ages
• Integrates into POS, loyalty, and inventory workflows

The CR5000 is an easy-to-configure, easy-to-use, multi-purpose barcode reading solution that will enhance operations in any industry.

Shop the Code Reader 5000 online or Contact your Barcodes, Inc. Account Manager for more information.

Arguably the most common of form of ID, driver’s licenses are used any time we need to confirm who we are and more often than not, how old we are. If you take a look at the backside of your ID you’ll find a rectangular black and white pattern know as a PDF417 barcode. It may not look like your standard barcode but that PDF417 code contains all the information on the front of your ID in a single code.

PDF417 is a type of 2D barcode that is capable of storing much more information than the standard 1D code you find on products at the grocery store. You may be familiar with QR Codes that you’ve scanned with your phone. Both are types of 2D codes that can be read with a 2D Imager barcode scanner.

Many businesses are using the barcode on your ID and a 2D Imager like the AirTrack S2 to quickly verify your age or capture your basic info to make signing up for a service quicker. The only real snag with the barcode on your license is that every state doesn’t organize the information in the code the same way. The advantage here is that you cannot change the information in the barcode and to create a fake one requires knowing exactly how each state encodes the data.
If the barcode isn’t created properly, it won’t read properly.

With the AirTrack S2 scanner you can scan the code on the back of a driver’s licenses from any state to verify someone’s age quickly and accurately due to the scanner’s ability to parse all the data correctly for you. Since each state organizes the data differently the parsing software on the scanner outputs the data you need, in the order you need it, regardless of what state you are dealing with. It’s actually faster than looking at the ID.

Given how simple it is to get up and running, not using a scanner for age verification/customer info just doesn’t add up anymore. With a simple scan you can completely avoid fraudulent ID usage and save your business from legal issues, errors, and lost revenue.

Increase the efficiency of any application with the Unitech HT680

From the age verification to managing your warehouse, the Unitech HT680 is a flexible and cost effective mobile computer to improve the accuracy of any process in your business.   Designed for the toughest work environments, the HT680 gives you the reliability and flexibility needed to increase productivity and efficiency in all of your data collection applications.

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