Minnesota Driver's License Issue Date: Where to Find ISS and What It Means
The issue date on a Minnesota driver's license is labeled ISS and appears on the front of the card. The Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) division issues licenses valid for 4 years for most adult drivers. Minnesota also offers an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) for border crossings into Canada. Here is where to find ISS and what every field on your Minnesota license means.
Where to find the issue date on a Minnesota driver's license
On the current Minnesota DVS 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 Minnesota DVS issued your current card. Renewing resets ISS while your license number stays the same.
Date fields on a Minnesota 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. Minnesota driver's licenses are valid for 4 years for most adult drivers and expire on your birthday.
What does DD mean on a Minnesota 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, even if your license number stays the same. Banks, car rental companies, and identity systems use it to confirm the card is authentic.
Preparing for your DMV test?
Download our free iOS app — 1,164+ practice questions in 11 languages, flashcards, and offline study!
Restrictions on a Minnesota driver's license
Minnesota 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
Minnesota Enhanced Driver's License: border crossing with Canada
Minnesota is one of a small number of states that offers an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL). The Minnesota EDL works as a passport alternative for land and sea border crossings between the U.S. and Canada. It has a U.S. flag design and is also REAL ID compliant for domestic air travel. Minnesota shares a long border with Canada, making the EDL useful for residents who cross regularly. Getting an EDL requires in-person document verification and a higher fee than a standard license.
Minnesota REAL ID
Minnesota offers standard, REAL ID-compliant, and Enhanced licenses. A REAL ID Minnesota 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. Standard Minnesota licenses work for driving but not for air travel.
How to renew a Minnesota driver's license
Minnesota DVS offers online renewal at dps.mn.gov/dvs 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 DVS exam station is required for first-time REAL ID or EDL, new photos, and CDL transactions.
- ISS is the label for the issue date on your Minnesota license. It shows when the DVS 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 Minnesota licensing date
The ISS date on your card shows when your current card was issued, not your original licensing date. To find your original date, request a copy of your Minnesota driving record through the DVS website or in person at a DVS exam station.
Common mistakes when entering your Minnesota 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
