New Hampshire Driver's License Issue Date: Where to Find ISS and What It Means
New Hampshire's driver's license marks the issue date with the letters ISS, printed on the front of the card next to your photo. Look there first if a form is asking when your license was issued.
Where to find the issue date on a New Hampshire driver's license
New Hampshire's Division of Motor Vehicles prints ISS on the front of every license it issues. That date reflects when your current card was made, not when you first got a New Hampshire license. Renew or replace the card and ISS moves forward to match; your license number does not change.
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Date fields on a New Hampshire driver's license
Three dates appear on the card face:
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- ISS: Issue date, when the current card was printed.
- DOB: Date of birth, used to confirm your identity and age.
- EXP: Expiration date, either 5 or 6 years out from ISS depending on the term you chose at renewal.
Forms that ask for "date issued" want ISS. Forms asking for "date of birth" want DOB. Reading the wrong line is a common mistake since both sit close together on the card.
What does DD mean on a New Hampshire driver's license?
DD is short for Document Discriminator, a unique number stamped onto each physical card. Reprint the card, even with no other changes, and the DD changes with it. Banks and rental agencies check this number to confirm a card hasn't been altered or duplicated. It is not your driver's license number and it is not a date.
Restrictions on a New Hampshire driver's license
New Hampshire prints any driving restrictions directly on the card. A blank field, or one marked "None," means no restrictions apply. Where a restriction is listed, it typically covers things like corrective lenses, daylight-only driving, or an automatic-transmission-only requirement. Driving outside a listed restriction is a violation under New Hampshire motor vehicle law.
New Hampshire's choice: 5-year or 6-year renewal
Most states hand drivers a single fixed renewal term. New Hampshire doesn't: drivers under 75 pick between a 5-year card for $50 or a 6-year card for $70 at each renewal. The extra $20 buys a year of not having to renew again, which can be worth it if you'd rather not deal with the DMV more often than necessary. Drivers 75 and older get a shorter 2-year term for a reduced $5 fee, reflecting the more frequent vision and medical review typical for that age group.
REAL ID in New Hampshire
A gold star in the corner of the card marks REAL ID compliance. Since May 7, 2025, that star (or an equivalent federal document like a passport) is required to board a domestic flight or enter certain secure federal buildings. Getting the star requires an in-person DMV visit with proof of identity, your Social Security number, and two documents proving New Hampshire residency; it cannot be added through the online renewal process.
How to renew a New Hampshire driver's license
Most drivers can renew online or by mail through the NH DMV website without a branch visit, provided they aren't adding a REAL ID star for the first time and don't need a new photo. An in-person visit at a DMV office is required for first-time REAL ID issuance, name changes, or if your renewal notice specifically says so.
- ISS marks when your current card was printed, not your birthday and not when the card expires.
- A renewed license carries a new ISS date; the old one no longer applies once you have a new card.
- DD is a card serial number. It updates on every reprint but it is never a date.
- If you picked the 6-year term at your last renewal, don't assume your next renewal is due at the 5-year mark; check EXP.
Finding your original New Hampshire licensing date
ISS only tells you when the card in your wallet was made. If you need the date you were first licensed in New Hampshire, for an insurance application, a job, or a CDL, request a certified driving record from the DMV. That record lists your full license history, including the original issue date.
Common mistakes with New Hampshire license dates
- Use the ISS date whenever a form asks when your license was "issued" or "dated"
- Decide up front whether the 5-year or 6-year term suits you better before you renew
- Check the date format a form wants; some expect MM/DD/YYYY and others YYYY-MM-DD
- Renew before EXP; a license within 60 days of expiring gets rejected by some employers and landlords
- Bring proof of NH residency and identity if you're adding a REAL ID star for the first time
- Keep a photo of your license on your phone for quick reference on online forms
- Don't confuse DOB with ISS; one is your birthday, the other is when the card was printed
- Don't enter EXP when a form wants the issue date; they mean opposite ends of the license's life
- Don't use an old license's ISS date if you've since renewed and hold a newer card
- Don't try to add a REAL ID star through online renewal; it requires an in-person visit
- Don't assume your next renewal fee is $50; if you pick the 6-year term, it's $70
- Don't guess at a date you can't read clearly; order a replacement instead
