Delaware Driver's License Issue Date: Where to Find ISS and What It Means
Delaware's driver's license prints the issue date under ISS, on the front of the card. Whenever a form asks when your license was issued, that's the number to use. Here's a breakdown of ISS and the other date fields and codes on a Delaware card.
Where to find the issue date on a Delaware driver's license
Delaware DMV prints ISS on the front of the current card design, marking when that specific card was issued. A renewal produces a new card with a new ISS date, but your underlying license number carries over unchanged.
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Date fields on a Delaware driver's license
A Delaware license shows three date fields on the front:
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- ISS: when Delaware DMV issued the card you're carrying now.
- DOB: your birthdate, present for identity verification.
- EXP: Expiration date. Delaware Class D driver's licenses are valid for 8 years for most adult drivers.
When paperwork calls for your "driver's license issue date," it wants the ISS field, not DOB. The two sit next to each other on the card, so a quick glance can easily grab the wrong one.
What does DD mean on a Delaware driver's license?
DD stands for Document Discriminator, a serial number tied to the specific physical card, not to you. Each new card carries a new DD, renewal or not, while your license number itself never changes. Banks and rental companies rely on it to verify a card is authentic.
A "document number" field, separate from your license number, is generally asking for the DD.
Restrictions on a Delaware driver's license
The Delaware DMV prints restrictions in the field on the front of the card, reading None if there's nothing to flag. Restriction codes commonly seen in Delaware:
- B: Corrective lenses required while driving
- C: Mechanical devices, hand controls, or other adaptive equipment required
- D: Prosthetic aid required
- G: Daylight driving only
Delaware requires at least 20/40 vision, with or without corrective lenses, to drive without a G restriction. Driving in violation of a restriction on your Delaware license is a traffic offense.
Delaware REAL ID: the gold star
Delaware offers both standard and REAL ID-compliant licenses. A REAL ID Delaware license has a gold star in the upper right corner. From May 7, 2025, a REAL ID or another accepted federal document is required to board domestic flights and enter certain federal facilities. Delaware was one of the first states to issue REAL ID-compliant cards, starting in 2009, and roughly 85 percent of residents were already compliant by March 2025.
If your card already has the star, you do not need to do anything extra at your next renewal. If it does not, you can apply for REAL ID at any DMV location as a walk-in, no appointment needed, with proof of identity, your Social Security number, and two documents showing your Delaware address.
Delaware's October 2025 fee increase
The standard driver's license fee rose from $40 to $50 starting October 10, 2025, part of a revenue package the Delaware General Assembly passed that June. The change applies to new licenses, renewals, and transfers. The 8-year validity period did not change, only the price.
How to renew a Delaware driver's license
You can renew online, by mail, or in person through the Delaware DMV, and eligible drivers can start up to 180 days before their license expires. In-person renewal is required for first-time REAL ID issuance, updated photos, and CDL transactions.
- ISS is the issue-date label on a Delaware license: the date DMV issued your current card.
- ISS is distinct from DOB and EXP: a "license issue date" request means the number beside ISS.
- The ISS date updates with each renewal, so it reflects your current card, not your original license.
- DD is a serial number for the card itself, not a date, so don't use it as an issue date.
How to find your original Delaware licensing date
The ISS date reflects your card's print date, not the day you were first licensed in Delaware. When insurance, an employer, or a CDL application calls for that original date, request your official driving record from the Delaware DMV online or in person. It shows your full licensing history, original issue date, and any violations or suspensions.
Common mistakes when entering your Delaware license issue date
- Any form asking for "license issue date" or "date issued" wants the date printed next to ISS
- Pay attention to the date format requested: some forms use MM/DD/YYYY, others YYYY-MM-DD
- If you've renewed, use the ISS date from your current card rather than the date of your original license
- Budget for $50 at your next renewal, not the older $40 figure that circulates on other sites
- Renew up to 180 days early if your schedule is tight around the expiration date
- Update your address with DMV promptly after moving to keep your license record current
- Don't substitute DOB (date of birth) for the issue date: a form distinguishes between the two
- Don't record EXP (expiration date) in place of the issue date: expiration is the end point, not the start
- Don't pull the issue date from an expired card when a current one is available
- Don't read the DD (Document Discriminator) as a date: it's a serial number unique to the card
- Don't assume the fee is still $40: it increased to $50 in October 2025
- Don't assume ISS falls on your birthday: that's true of EXP, not the issue date
