So I got my new drivers license today and I noticed a real long number with a label of DD. Being the curious guy I am, I wanted to know what that meant. A Google search instantly showed a lot of wrong answers. Some people answered with authority that it was a Defensive Driving number. Hmmmm, I've taken defensive driving, but it as been more than 2 years. Looking further, others said it was a DPS audit/tracking number and is used to help you replace a DL that's lost or stolen. Hmmm, that didn't necessarily make sense to me.
I kept searching and searching, and I think I got the answer. It is a Document Discriminator. A what? Well, I looked for the definition of that and found this in relation to REAL ID.
Document Discriminator
Number must uniquely identify a particular document issued to that customer from others that may have been issued in the past. This number may serve multiple purposes of document discrimination, audit information number, and/or inventory control.
OK, I'm an IT guy who has worked with databases most of his career. In DB terms, this is a unique record ID. It is used for the drivers license. This is the record ID of the DL and if you look at an old DL, you'll see a long number printed along side your photo. That's the record ID of that DL.
So I guess as long as DPS has been computerized, everyone has had a DD for the DL. I wonder how long they keep this info. My old DL has an 11 digit DD. My new DL has 20 digits. In six years, if they stick to digits, I guess it might be 25 or 26 digits.
I wonder why they haven't mixed letters into the DD. It would help reduce the length. I guess they think it is better to 10 key, but that's not necessary since DLs have magnetic strips.
Another change I've noticed is they now have two bar codes on the back instead of just one like they had back in 2008. One looks like Code 3 of 9 and the other might be PDF417. Hmmm, I need to see if I can decode these and see what they represent.
Also, when I got my license renewed, they scanned my finger prints. I don't remember doing this the last time. Is it really necessary to have someone's fingerprints to get a DL?? So I guess the only way to stay annonymous and fly under the radar is to never get a SSN, which I think you are required to do for your child after they're born so you can claim them on your taxes, never work at a school where they require your fingerprints, never get arrested and booked, and never get a DL. I'm sure there are other situations where the gov gets your fingerprints, but those are the ones off the top of my head.
Anyway, if you've read this far, I hope this was interesting.
