What is PDF417 for ID Cards?
PDF417 is the barcode printed on most government ID cards and driver licenses to hold the machine-readable record - name, date of birth and document number - encoded in the AAMVA standard format. The same high-capacity, damage-tolerant code is used on employee badges and access cards. This tool generates PDF417 patterns for ID card artwork and badge prototypes.
Common Uses for PDF417 for ID Cards
- Driver license and state ID card back-side data
- Employee and contractor access badges
- Student, library and membership cards
- Secure document and equipment ID labels
Reference
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are PDF417 codes used on ID cards?
PDF417 holds a full structured record on a small rectangle and tolerates the scratches and wear a card suffers in a wallet or on a lanyard, so the data keeps reading for years.
What format is on my driver license?
Most US and Canadian licenses encode the AAMVA DL/ID standard record - name, DOB, address and license number - inside the PDF417 on the back of the card.
Can I print PDF417 on plastic cards?
Yes. Print on white PVC/ID card stock with a card printer, keeping the code at a size that reads clearly - this tool generates the artwork at any scale.
Can I batch generate PDF417 ID codes?
Yes, paste one record per line and generate a sheet of identical or sequential codes for a batch of badges.
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