Massachusetts Driver's License Issue Date: Where to Find ISS and What It Means
The issue date on a Massachusetts driver's license is labeled ISS and appears on the front of the card. The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) issues licenses valid for 5 years for most drivers. Here is where to find ISS and how to read every field on your Massachusetts license.
Where to find the issue date on a Massachusetts driver's license
On the current Massachusetts RMV 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 RMV issued your current card. If you have renewed your license, the new card's ISS date reflects that renewal. Your license number stays the same through renewals; ISS resets with each new card.
Date fields on a Massachusetts driver's license
- ISS — Issue date. When your current card was printed by the Massachusetts RMV.
- DOB — Date of birth. Your birthdate, used for identity and age verification.
- EXP — Expiration date. Massachusetts driver's licenses are valid for 5 years for most adult drivers.
What does DD mean on a Massachusetts driver's license?
DD stands for Document Discriminator, a unique serial number for your specific card. It changes each time a new card is issued and differs from your license number. Banks, rental companies, and identity systems use the DD as a secondary check to verify card authenticity.
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Restrictions on a Massachusetts driver's license
Massachusetts licenses display restrictions in the RSTR field. Common restriction codes:
- A — Corrective lenses required while driving
- B — Daylight driving only
- C — No highway driving
- E — Automatic transmission only
- R — Mechanical aid required
Massachusetts REAL ID
Massachusetts offers both standard and REAL ID-compliant licenses. A REAL ID Massachusetts 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. To get a Massachusetts REAL ID, visit an RMV Service Center in person with proof of identity, Social Security number, and two documents showing your Massachusetts address.
How to renew a Massachusetts driver's license
Massachusetts RMV offers online renewal at mass.gov/rmv for eligible drivers. Online renewal is available if you do not need a new photo, your address has not changed, and your license is not expired. In-person renewal at an RMV Service Center is required for first-time REAL ID, new photos, and CDL transactions. Massachusetts also has self-service kiosks at select locations for routine transactions.
- ISS is the label for the issue date on your Massachusetts license. It shows when the RMV 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 Massachusetts licensing date
The ISS date on your card shows when your current card was printed, not when you first became licensed in Massachusetts. To find your original licensing date, request a certified copy of your Massachusetts driving record through the RMV website or in person at an RMV Service Center.
Common mistakes when entering your Massachusetts 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
