Washington Driver's License Issue Date: Where to Find ISS and What It Means
The issue date on a Washington State driver's license is labeled ISS and appears on the front of the card. Washington licenses are valid for 6 years for most adult drivers. The state also offers an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) that works as a passport alternative for border crossings with Canada. Here is how to read every field on your Washington license.
Where to find the issue date on a Washington State driver's license
On the current Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) license design, the issue date is labeled ISS and printed on the front of the card. ISS stands for Issue Date and marks when the DOL issued your current card. Each renewal resets the ISS date while keeping your license number the same.
Date fields on a Washington 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. Washington driver's licenses are valid for 6 years for most adult drivers.
What does DD mean on a Washington 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, car rental agencies, and identity verification systems use the DD as a secondary authentication check.
Preparing for your DMV test?
Download our free iOS app — 1,164+ practice questions in 11 languages, flashcards, and offline study!
Restrictions on a Washington driver's license
Washington licenses display restrictions in the RSTR field. Common restriction codes:
- A — Corrective lenses required
- B — Daylight driving only
- C — No highway driving
- E — Automatic transmission only
- F — Outside mirror on driver's side required
Washington Enhanced Driver's License: the passport alternative
Washington is one of a small number of states that offers an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL). A Washington EDL has a U.S. flag design and works as a passport alternative for land and sea border crossings between the U.S. and Canada. Washington shares a long border with British Columbia, making the EDL practical for residents who cross frequently.
The EDL is also REAL ID compliant, so it works for domestic air travel as well. Getting an EDL requires additional documentation and a higher fee than a standard license, and it must be obtained in person at a DOL office.
Washington REAL ID
Washington issues standard, REAL ID-compliant, and Enhanced licenses. A REAL ID Washington 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 Washington licenses without the star work for driving but not for air travel.
How to renew a Washington driver's license
Washington DOL offers online renewal at dol.wa.gov for standard license renewals. Eligible drivers can renew online if their address has not changed and they do not need a new photo. In-person renewal at a DOL office is required for first-time REAL ID or EDL, address changes, and new photos.
- ISS is the label for the issue date on your Washington license. It shows when the DOL 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 Washington 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 driving record through the Washington DOL website. The record shows your full licensing history and any violations or suspensions.
Common mistakes when entering your Washington 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
