Missouri Driver's License Issue Date: Where to Find ISS and What It Means
The issue date on a Missouri driver's license is labeled ISS and appears on the front of the card. The Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) issues standard licenses valid for 6 years for drivers 21 to 69, then switches you to a shorter 3-year cycle once you turn 70. Here is where to find ISS and what every field on your Missouri license means.
Where to find the issue date on a Missouri driver's license
On the current Missouri DOR 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 Missouri Department of Revenue issued your current card. Renewing your license resets ISS on the new card while your license number stays the same.
Only 1% of California drivers answer all 3 correctly
Think you know the rules? Most licensed drivers miss at least one.
At 60 mph on a dry California freeway, what is the recommended minimum following distance?
Date fields on a Missouri 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. It lands on your birthday in the sixth year after ISS for most adults, or the third year once you're 70 or older.
What does DD mean on a Missouri 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 companies, and identity systems use it to verify card authenticity.
Preparing for your DMV test?
Download our free iOS app — 1,164+ practice questions in 11 languages, flashcards, and offline study!
Restrictions on a Missouri driver's license
Missouri licenses display restrictions in the RSTR field. If it's blank, your license carries no restrictions. Missouri publishes the full restriction-code list in the Missouri Driver Guide (Form 4549) rather than on the card itself, so if you see a code you don't recognize, that guide or your local license office can tell you exactly what it covers.
Missouri's fee depends on which license class you hold
Unlike states with one flat renewal price, Missouri prices renewal by license class. A standard Class F noncommercial license runs $33 for the 6-year term or $16.50 for 3 years. A Class E license, which covers a broader range of noncommercial vehicles, runs $48 for 6 years or $24 for 3 years. If you're not sure which class applies to you, the DOR's driver license lookup tool or your local license office can confirm it before you pay.
Missouri REAL ID
Missouri offers both standard and REAL ID-compliant licenses. A REAL ID Missouri license has a gold star in the upper right corner. Since May 7, 2025, a REAL ID or another accepted federal document has been required for domestic air travel and access to certain federal facilities. To get a Missouri REAL ID, visit a Missouri license office in person with proof of identity, your Social Security number, and two documents showing your Missouri address.
How to renew a Missouri driver's license
Missouri DOR offers online renewal at dor.mo.gov for drivers who don't need a new photo and whose information hasn't changed. In-person renewal is required for first-time REAL ID and new photos. You can start the renewal process up to 6 months before your EXP date, and Missouri license offices include locations run directly by the state as well as some operated by third-party contractors.
- ISS is the label for the issue date on your Missouri license. It shows when the DOR 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 Missouri licensing date
The ISS date on your card is when your current card was issued, not your original licensing date. To find your original date, request a driving record through the Missouri DOR website or in person at a Missouri license office.
Common mistakes when entering your Missouri 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
- Confirm your license class before renewing so you pay the right fee for Class E or Class F
- Renew 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 assume your renewal is still on the 6-year cycle once you turn 70: Missouri shortens it to 3 years
- Don't guess the date if you can't read your license clearly: order a replacement to avoid entering incorrect information
