Maryland Driver's License Issue Date: Where to Find ISS and What It Means
The issue date on a Maryland driver's license is labeled ISS and appears on the front of the card. The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) issues licenses valid for 8 years for most adult drivers. Here is where to find ISS and what every field on your Maryland license means.
Where to find the issue date on a Maryland driver's license
On the current Maryland MVA license design, the issue date is labeled ISS and printed on the front of the card. ISS stands for Issue Date and marks when the MVA issued your current card. Because Maryland licenses are valid for 8 years, ISS may be several years behind the current date on a card that has not expired. Renewing resets ISS while your license number stays the same.
Date fields on a Maryland 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. Maryland licenses are valid for 8 years for most adult drivers.
What does DD mean on a Maryland 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 is different from your license number. Banks, rental agencies, and identity verification systems use it to confirm the card has not been altered.
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Restrictions on a Maryland driver's license
Maryland licenses display restrictions in the RSTR field. Common codes:
- A — Corrective lenses required
- B — Daylight driving only
- C — No expressway or highway driving
- E — Automatic transmission only
Maryland REAL ID
Maryland offers both standard and REAL ID-compliant licenses. A REAL ID Maryland 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 facilities. To get a Maryland REAL ID, visit an MVA branch in person with proof of identity, Social Security number, and two documents showing your Maryland address.
How to renew a Maryland driver's license
Maryland MVA offers online renewal at mva.maryland.gov for eligible drivers. Online renewal is available if you do not need a new photo and your address has not changed. In-person renewal at an MVA branch is required for first-time REAL ID, new photos, and name or address changes. Maryland also has MVA Express locations at select Motor Vehicle offices with shorter wait times for routine transactions.
- ISS is the label for the issue date on your Maryland license. It shows when the MVA 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 Maryland licensing date
The ISS date on your card shows when your current card was issued, not when you first became licensed in Maryland. To find your original licensing date, request a certified copy of your Maryland driving record through the MVA website or in person at an MVA branch.
Common mistakes when entering your Maryland 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
