IdScanly / Driving License OCR
Driver license OCR API for structured license data
Read supported driving license images into fields your software can review and reuse. IdScanly extracts holder details, license references and available document-specific information for registration and onboarding workflows.
Process the front, back and retakes of the same license in one session. Use structured results to prepare records while keeping confirmation and eligibility decisions in your own process.
Synthetic data — an illustration of extraction, for review.
- Name
- Alex Example
- Document number
- DEMO-0001
- Expiry date
- 2030-01-01
Turn a license image into usable information
A driving license can contain personal details, document dates and categories or restrictions. Those values are useful to software only when they can be read, labeled and associated with the correct person.
IdScanly performs the extraction step. Your application can use the result to populate a draft record and make the relevant values available for review.
What can be extracted from a driving license?
| Information | Examples, where present and supported |
|---|---|
| Holder details | Name, available name components and date of birth |
| License reference | License number and issuing country |
| Issuing information | Issue date and available issuing details |
| Validity | Printed expiry dates |
| Driving categories | Available license categories and associated printed details |
| Restrictions | Supported restrictions and endorsements |
| Barcode information | AAMVA PDF417 data on supported US and Canadian licenses |
The exact field set depends on the issuing jurisdiction, license version and submitted images. Confirm the fields needed for your workflow against the license formats your users present.
Read printed details and supported PDF417 data
On supported US and Canadian driving licenses, AAMVA PDF417 data can supply structured identity fields. Printed information and supported barcode content provide different sources within the document-reading workflow.
Barcode support does not mean every code on every license has the same content. Check the relevant document version and the fields your process requires.
Keep front and back information together
License information may appear on both sides. Submit the necessary views to the same document session and add a clearer retake if part of the license is hard to read.
Available information from those images contributes to the merged result. A separate passport or identity card should have its own session, linked to the same person by your application.
Support a reviewable driving-license record
Confidence information helps your team identify values that deserve closer attention. Supported capture feedback can help your interface ask for a better image when glare, blur or framing affects the document step.
Your business determines what the extracted information means for its service. Reading a category or date supplies an input; assessing driving entitlement, applicable territory and business eligibility involves your own rules and checks.
Use license data across your service
- Prepare driver records in rental and mobility software.
- Prefill supported identity fields in a customer application.
- Prepare a proposed update when an existing customer submits a replacement license.
For the rental-specific process, see driver document scanning for car rental. For broader application flows, see document OCR for onboarding.
Driver license OCR questions
Does IdScanly support licenses from every country?
Coverage depends on the document format and required fields. Share the jurisdictions and license versions you need, or evaluate representative documents through the demo.
Can the API read categories and restrictions?
Those fields may be available on supported licenses. Confirm the specific categories, restrictions and other values needed for your process.
Is PDF417 reading available?
IdScanly supports AAMVA PDF417 data on relevant US and Canadian licenses. Coverage should be checked against the versions your users submit.
Does extraction confirm that someone may drive a particular vehicle?
Extraction provides document information. Your workflow evaluates entitlement, dates, restrictions and other requirements before making a decision.
Can I submit another photo without starting again?
Add a retake of the same license to its existing session so available information can contribute to the merged result.
Evaluate the licenses relevant to your service
Review names, license numbers, dates and any document-specific fields your workflow needs. Contact us to discuss the document versions and processing volumes you expect.