Virginia Driver's License Issue Date: Where to Find ISS and What It Means
The issue date on a Virginia driver's license is labeled ISS and printed on the front of the card. Virginia licenses are valid for 8 years for most adults, so there can be a long gap between the ISS date and the expiration date on a current card. Here is how to read every field on your Virginia license.
Where to find the issue date on a Virginia driver's license
On the current Virginia DMV license design, the issue date is labeled ISS and appears on the front of the card. ISS stands for Issue Date and shows when the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles issued your current card. Renewing your license resets the ISS date on the new card while keeping your license number the same.
Date fields on a Virginia 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. Virginia licenses are valid for 8 years for drivers under 75. Drivers 75 and older receive licenses valid for 4 years.
What does DD mean on a Virginia driver's license?
DD stands for Document Discriminator, a unique serial number for your specific physical card. It changes every time a new card is issued, even when your license number does not change. It is used by banks, rental agencies, and verification systems 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 Virginia driver's license
Virginia licenses display restrictions in the RSTR field. Common codes:
- A — Corrective lenses required
- B — Daylight driving only
- C — No highway driving
- E — Automatic transmission only
- G — Outside mirror required on driver's side
Virginia REAL ID
Virginia offers both standard and REAL ID-compliant licenses. A REAL ID Virginia license has a gold star in the upper right corner. From May 7, 2025, a REAL ID or another accepted federal document is required to board domestic flights. To obtain a Virginia REAL ID, visit a Virginia DMV Customer Service Center in person with your identity documents, Social Security number, and two Virginia address documents.
Virginia DMV SELECT and alternative service options
Virginia has a network of DMV Select offices operated by local governments and businesses that handle routine DMV transactions including registration renewals and some license services. These offices often have shorter wait times than full-service DMV Customer Service Centers.
How to renew a Virginia driver's license
Virginia DMV offers online renewal at dmv.virginia.gov for eligible drivers who do not need a new photo and have no changes to their information. Virginia also offers renewal by mail for some license types. In-person renewal is required for first-time REAL ID, new photos, and CDL transactions.
- ISS is the label for the issue date on your Virginia license. It shows when the DMV 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 Virginia licensing date
The ISS date on your card is when your current card was issued, not when you first became a licensed driver in Virginia. To get your original licensing date, request a copy of your official Virginia driving record through the DMV website. Virginia offers both a 3-year and a 7-year driving record depending on your needs.
Common mistakes when entering your Virginia 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
