Flip over your driver’s license. That wide, rectangular block of stacked lines on the back is a PDF417 barcode. It’s also the format used on airline boarding passes, shipping labels, and some government-issued IDs.
Most PDF417 barcode generators treat every use case the same way. Type in text, get a barcode. But if you’re generating one to test an ID scanner or build a mock license, a plain PDF417 code won’t work the way you expect. This guide covers how to generate a standard PDF417 barcode, and what makes the AAMVA-format version on driver’s licenses different.
Table of Contents
What Is a PDF417 Barcode?
PDF417 is a 2D barcode that stores data in stacked rows, almost like several short barcodes sitting on top of each other. “PDF” stands for Portable Data File, and “417” refers to its internal structure: each pattern in the code is 4 bars and spaces wide, arranged in a sequence 17 units long.
It was created in 1991 by Symbol Technologies and is defined under the ISO 15438 standard. It uses Reed-Solomon error correction, so the barcode can stay readable even if part of it gets scratched, dirty, or damaged.
A single PDF417 barcode can hold up to 1,850 alphanumeric characters, or around 2,700 numeric characters. That’s a lot more than most 1D barcodes, which is why it’s the format chosen for documents that need to carry a full data record instead of just an ID number.
How to Generate a PDF417 Barcode
Creating a basic PDF417 barcode takes under a minute.
- Go to a barcode generator, like our free Barcode Generator.
- Choose PDF417 as the barcode type.
- Type in the data you want to encode. This can be plain text, a URL, or a structured data string.
- Download the barcode as a PNG or SVG file.
For most uses, like shipping labels or document tracking, this is all you need. The generator handles the error correction and formatting automatically.
PDF417 AAMVA Barcode Generator: Why Driver’s Licenses Are Different
A regular PDF417 barcode generator encodes whatever text you give it, with no required structure. A PDF417 AAMVA barcode generator is built specifically to match a strict format.
AAMVA stands for the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. It sets the data standard used on the back of US and Canadian driver’s licenses and state ID cards. Every AAMVA-compliant barcode follows the same field structure: a header, a jurisdiction code, and a defined list of fields like name, date of birth, address, and license class, each in a specific order with specific labels.
This structure exists so a scanner at a bar, a retail store, or a police checkpoint can read a license from any US state or Canadian province and pull out the same fields in the same way, regardless of who issued it.
If you’re building an age-verification app or testing ID scanner hardware, a generic PDF417 generator won’t produce data your scanner can correctly parse. You need a generator that specifically supports AAMVA field formatting, not just PDF417 encoding.
Generate PDF417 Barcode for Boarding Passes and Shipping
Driver’s licenses aren’t the only place PDF417 shows up. Airlines use it for the Bar Coded Boarding Pass (BCBP) standard on printed boarding passes. Shipping and logistics companies use it on package labels, since it can hold tracking numbers, addresses, and package details in a single scannable code.
For these use cases, you generally don’t need AAMVA formatting. A standard PDF417 barcode with your tracking data or booking reference works fine, as long as the receiving system expects plain PDF417 rather than a specific structured format.
Also Read: Data Matrix Barcode Generator Create Free 2D Data Matrix Barcodes Online
Common Mistakes When Generating a PDF417 Barcode
Using a generic generator for AAMVA-format needs
If you’re testing an ID scanner or age-verification system, confirm your generator supports the AAMVA field structure, not just basic PDF417 encoding.
Making the barcode too small to print clearly
PDF417’s stacked rows need enough resolution to stay distinguishable. Test a printed sample before committing to a full batch.
Overloading the barcode with more data than needed
PDF417 can hold a lot of data, but larger data sets need a higher error correction level to stay reliably scannable, which can also make the printed barcode larger.
Assuming PDF417 and QR code are interchangeable
They’re both 2D-style codes, but PDF417’s rectangular, stacked format suits document and ID applications, while QR code is built more for quick scans from a phone camera.
FAQs
What is a PDF417 barcode used for?
PDF417 barcodes are used on driver’s licenses, ID cards, airline boarding passes, and shipping labels. It’s chosen for its high data capacity and built-in error correction, which keeps it readable even when part of the label is damaged.
What is a PDF417 AAMVA barcode generator?
It’s a barcode generator built to follow the specific data structure AAMVA requires for US and Canadian driver’s licenses. Unlike a generic PDF417 generator, it formats the header, jurisdiction code, and personal data fields in the exact order a real ID scanner expects.
How much data can a PDF417 barcode hold?
A PDF417 barcode can hold up to around 1,850 alphanumeric characters, roughly 2,700 numeric characters, or about 1,100 bytes of binary data, depending on the error correction level used.
Is PDF417 the same as a QR code?
No. Both are 2D-style barcodes, but PDF417 stores data in stacked horizontal rows and has a rectangular shape, while a QR code stores data in a square grid. PDF417 is more common on documents and IDs, while QR code is built for quick scanning with a phone camera.
Can I generate a PDF417 barcode for free?
Yes. Any standard PDF417 barcode generator, including ours, can create a scannable barcode for free. AAMVA-specific formatting for driver’s license testing may require a more specialized tool.
