New Jersey Driver's License Issue Date: Where to Find ISS and What It Means
The issue date on a New Jersey driver's license is labeled ISS and appears on the front of the card. New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) issues licenses valid for 4 years for most drivers. Here is where to find ISS and what every field on your New Jersey license means.
Where to find the issue date on a New Jersey driver's license
On the current New Jersey MVC 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 MVC issued your current card. Renewing your license resets the ISS date while your license number stays the same.
Date fields on a New Jersey 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. New Jersey driver's licenses are valid for 4 years for most adult drivers.
What does DD mean on a New Jersey driver's license?
DD stands for Document Discriminator, a unique serial number for each physical card. It changes every time a new card is printed, even if your license number stays the same. Banks, rental car companies, and verification systems use it to confirm the card is authentic.
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Restrictions on a New Jersey driver's license
New Jersey licenses display restrictions in the RSTR field or labeled as Restrictions. Common codes:
- A — Corrective lenses required
- B — Daylight driving only
- C — No highway or expressway driving
- E — Automatic transmission only
- F — Mechanical aid required
New Jersey REAL ID
New Jersey offers both standard and REAL ID-compliant licenses. A REAL ID New Jersey 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 New Jersey REAL ID, visit an MVC Agency in person with proof of identity, Social Security number, and two documents showing your New Jersey address.
The 6 Points of ID system
New Jersey uses a "6 Points of ID" system for initial license applications and REAL ID issuance. Documents are assigned point values based on their reliability as identity proof. A U.S. passport is worth 4 points; a birth certificate is worth 3 points. You must accumulate at least 6 points total across accepted documents. The MVC website lists the point values for all accepted documents.
How to renew a New Jersey driver's license
New Jersey MVC offers online renewal at nj.gov/mvc 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 an MVC Agency is required for first-time REAL ID, new photos, address changes, and name changes. New Jersey has MVC Agencies throughout the state, with some locations offering extended hours.
- ISS is the label for the issue date on your New Jersey license. It shows when the MVC 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 New Jersey licensing date
The ISS date on your card shows when your current card was issued. To find your original licensing date, request a driving history abstract through the New Jersey MVC website. The abstract shows your full licensing history, points, and violations.
Common mistakes when entering your New Jersey 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
