The Free Barcode Generator of Choice. Generate high resolution 1D and 2D barcodes in the most popular barcode fonts like EAN, POSTNET, UPC, DataMatrix, CODABAR, PDF417, ISBN, Code 39, Code 93, Code 128. The barcode generator is absolutely free, and is up and running 24/7 to help you get the barcodes you need quickly and efficiently. Free PDF417 Barcode Image Creator This Barcode Creator uses the free version of the Dynamic Barcode Generator Subscription to easily produce downloadable barcode images. The free version of this product includes a watermark under the barcode.
- Free PDF417 Barcode Image Creator This Barcode Creator uses the free version of the Dynamic Barcode Generator Subscription to easily produce downloadable barcode images. The free version of this product includes a watermark under the barcode.
- Read Driver License barcode and decode data. Reading the Driver License barcode data provides properly spelled driver identification data in a reliable and consistent manner. The success rate approaches 100%. Barcode reading is faster and more accurate than trying to read the text on the front of the license.
- Databar PDF-417 is useful for encoding large amounts of data, usually up to one or two-hundred characters are encoded in a single symbol.The 2D barcode symbology is mostly used in the areas of logistic applications (especially in the automotive industry), transport systems, identification (like driver licenses, passports) and document management.
Databar PDF417 is a 2d barcode used in different applications including primarily transport, identification cards, and inventory management. PDF stands for Portable Data File and was developed by Symbol Technologies. PDF417 uses built-in error correction to ensure better readability.
The PDF417 symbology is mainly used in Europe and in the United States. Databar PDF-417 is useful for encoding large amounts of data, usually up to one or two-hundred characters are encoded in a single symbol.The 2D barcode symbology is mostly used in the areas of logistic applications (especially in the automotive industry), transport systems, identification (like driver licenses, passports) and document management.
PDF417 is a 2D barcode symbology (two-dimensional barcode) with very high data density. A single PDF417 symbol can be imagined as multiple linear bar-codes (called 'rows') stacked above each other. This is the reason why the PDF417 symbology is sometimes called a 'stacked linear symbology'. The overall shape of a PDF417 is rectangular. The size of the symbol can be modified by the user. The ratio of the widths of the bars (or spaces) to each other encode the information in a PDF417 symbol. For that reason the printing accuracy and a suitable printer resolution are important for high quality PDF417 symbols. PDF417 is also known under the names PDF-417, Portable Data File and PDF 417. Macro PDF (or Macro PDF417) is used when concatenating multiple PDF417 barcode symbols. PDF417 symbols can link to other symbols which are scanned in sequence allowing even more data to be stored.
When the PDF417 symbol is created, from 2 to 512 error detection and correction codewords are added. PDF417 uses Reed–Solomon error correction. When the symbol is scanned, the maximum number of corrections that can be made is equal to the number of codewords added, but the standard recommends that two codewords be held back to ensure reliability of the corrected information.
Last Updated on 2021-03-15
According to the Card Design Standard by AAMVA, the PDF417 two-dimensional bar code symbology is the minimum mandatory machine-readable technology that must be present on compliant driving license/identification documents. The barcode encodes key information about the cardholder, including name, date of birth, sex, eye color, height, and many others.
There are two ways to extract data from a driver license for a machine:
- Using OCR technology to recognize the characters printed on an ID
- Use barcode recognition technology to decode the PDF417 symbology and then parse it into human-readable formats
Generally speaking, the latter is more accurate and cost-effective than the former. In this article, we discuss how to use barcoding technology for text extraction from a driver’s license.
Extract Data from PDF417 of Driver Licenses on Mobile
Option 1: Decode PDF417 from Cameras in a Web Application
If you are looking to read a driver’s license from a camera source, please refer to the instructions in the article: How to Recognize US Driver’s License in JavaScript.
Download the full sample
Option 2: Read Driver’s Licenses in Android and iOS Native Apps
If you are looking to read a driver’s license in a native app, please refer to the instructions in the article: How to Recognize US Driver’s License on Android Mobile Apps.
Parse PDF417 Results into a Human-readable Format
After the PDF417 value is decoded, we can then parse it into separate fields.
Read PDF417 from Scanners
Free Pdf417 Barcode Generator
If the driver’s license is copied on paper, you can digitalize it from a document scanner using Dynamic Web TWAIN first.
To see how this works, you can give it a try at the demo here.
Please note that this demo also features document scanning, which is powered by Dynamsoft’s Web TWAIN SDK.
Try Dynamsoft Barcode Reader
Pdf417 Barcode Generator
If you’re at the stage where you’re testing different options, try Dynamsoft Barcode Reader online demo or download a 30-day free trial. There’s no commitment necessary.