Indiana Driver's License Issue Date: Where to Find ISS and What It Means
The issue date on an Indiana driver's license is labeled ISS and appears on the front of the card. The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) issues licenses valid for 6 years for most adult drivers. Here is where to find ISS and how to read the other fields on your Indiana license.
Where to find the issue date on an Indiana driver's license
On the current Indiana BMV license design, the issue date is labeled ISS and printed on the front of the card. ISS stands for Issue Date and shows when the BMV issued your current card. Renewing your license resets ISS on the new card while keeping your license number the same.
Date fields on an Indiana driver's license
- ISS — Issue date. When your current card was printed.
- DOB — Date of birth. Your birthdate for identity and age verification.
- EXP — Expiration date. Indiana licenses are valid for 6 years for drivers ages 18 to 74. Drivers 75 and older receive shorter-term licenses with more frequent renewal requirements.
What does DD mean on an Indiana driver's license?
DD stands for Document Discriminator, a unique serial number for each physical card. It changes every time a new card is issued and differs from your license number. Banks, car rental agencies, and background check systems use it to confirm card authenticity.
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Restrictions on an Indiana driver's license
Indiana licenses display restrictions in the RSTR field. Common restriction codes:
- A — Corrective lenses required
- B — Daylight driving only
- C — No highway or expressway driving
- E — Automatic transmission only
- F — Left outside mirror required
Indiana REAL ID
Indiana offers both standard and REAL ID-compliant licenses. A REAL ID Indiana license has a gold star in the upper right corner. From May 7, 2025, a REAL ID or another accepted federal document is required for domestic air travel and federal facility access. To get an Indiana REAL ID, visit a BMV branch in person with proof of identity, Social Security number, and two documents showing your Indiana address.
How to renew an Indiana driver's license
Indiana BMV offers online renewal at in.gov/bmv for eligible drivers. Online renewal is available if you do not need a new photo and your information has not changed. In-person renewal at a BMV branch is required for first-time REAL ID, new photos, and CDL transactions. Indiana BMV has branches throughout the state with some extended-hour locations.
- ISS is the label for the issue date on your Indiana license. It shows when the BMV issued your current card.
- ISS is not your date of birth (DOB) and not your expiration date (EXP) — enter the date next to ISS when a form asks for "license issue date."
- If you renewed your license, the ISS date on your current card reflects the renewal, not your original license date.
- The DD field (Document Discriminator) is a card serial number, not a date — do not enter it as an issue date.
How to find your original Indiana licensing date
The ISS date on your card shows when your current card was issued, not when you first became licensed in Indiana. To find your original licensing date, request a copy of your official Indiana driving record through the BMV website or in person at any BMV branch.
Common mistakes when entering your Indiana license issue date
- Use the date next to ISS when any form asks for your "license issue date" or "date issued"
- Check the date format the form expects — some want MM/DD/YYYY, others want YYYY-MM-DD
- If you have a renewed license, use the ISS date on your current card, not the date you first got a license
- Keep a photo of your license on your phone for quick reference when filling out online forms
- Renew your license before the EXP date — many employers and landlords reject a license within 60 days of expiry
- Update your address within 30 days of moving to keep your license record current
- Don't enter your DOB (date of birth) when a form asks for the issue date — they are completely different fields
- Don't enter your EXP (expiration date) as the issue date — expiration is when the license ends, not when it was issued
- Don't use the issue date from an old expired license if you have a current one
- Don't enter the DD (Document Discriminator) number as your issue date — it's a card serial number, not a date
- Don't guess the date if you can't read your license clearly — order a replacement to avoid entering incorrect information
- Don't assume the issue date is the same as your birthday — they are unrelated
