Your issue date is printed on the front of your California driver license, in the lower left corner below your photo

The issue date is the day the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issued your current license. It appears as a month, day, and year — for example, 03/15/2021. This is different from your expiration date, which is also on the front of the card but tells you when your license expires.

You need your issue date for certain forms and records requests. The DMV sometimes asks for it when you're renewing your license or updating your address. Insurance companies may also request it when you're getting a quote or filing a claim. If you can't locate your physical card, there are other ways to find this information.

Key Takeaways

  • Your issue date appears on the front of your California driver license in the lower left corner, formatted as month/day/year.
  • You can find your issue date online through your DMV account if you have registered with the California DMV website.
  • Calling the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 or visiting a local DMV office in person will get you your issue date if you don't have your card.
  • Your issue date is separate from your expiration date and is used mainly for record-keeping and verification purposes.

How to read your driver license

California driver licenses have a standard layout. On the front, your photo is in the upper right. Below your photo on the left side, you'll see several dates. The issue date is the earliest one listed and is labeled "ISS" or "Issued." The expiration date appears below it and is labeled "EXP" or "Expires."

The issue date tells you how long you've held your current license. If you renewed your license three years ago, your issue date would be from three years ago. This matters because some employers, schools, or government agencies want to know how recently your license was issued as part of their verification process.

Finding your issue date online

If you have a California DMV online account, you can view your driver license information, including your issue date, by logging in at dmv.ca.gov. You'll need your driver license number and date of birth to set up an account if you haven't already.

Once logged in, look for a section labeled "Driver License and ID Card Information" or similar. Your current license details, including the issue date, will be displayed there. This method works 24 hours a day and doesn't require you to visit an office or make a phone call.

Contacting the DMV by phone or in person

You can call the DMV's customer service line at 1-800-777-0133 to ask for your issue date. Have your driver license number ready when you call. Wait times vary depending on the time of day and how busy the DMV is, but you should be able to get your information within a few minutes once you reach someone.

If you prefer to speak with someone face-to-face, visit your local DMV office. Bring a form of identification and your driver license number if you have it. DMV staff can look up your issue date in their system and provide it to you on the spot. Check the DMV website to find your nearest office and current wait times before you go.

What to do if your license is lost or expired

If your physical license is lost or damaged and you need your issue date, the online account method and phone line both work without requiring the card itself. You'll just need to provide your driver license number and date of birth to verify your identity.

If your license has expired, your issue date is still on record with the DMV. You don't need a current, valid license to look up this information. The issue date from your expired license remains part of your DMV record.

Why the DMV asks for your issue date

Government agencies, employers, and financial institutions sometimes ask for your issue date as part of identity verification. It's one piece of information that confirms you are who you say you are, because it's specific to your license and not easily guessed.

Insurance companies may also request your issue date when you're shopping for car insurance or filing a claim. They use it to verify that your license was valid at the time of an incident or to check your driving history length.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my issue date the same as my expiration date?

No. Your issue date is when the DMV created your current license. Your expiration date is when that license stops being valid. California driver licenses are typically valid for five to ten years, depending on your age and license type.

Can I find my issue date on my old license?

Yes. If you have a previous license, it will show the issue date for that license. However, if you've renewed since then, your current issue date will be different. The DMV can tell you your current issue date if you need it.

What if I don't remember my driver license number?

You can still visit a DMV office in person with a form of identification like a passport or state ID. Staff can look you up by your name and date of birth and provide your license number and issue date. You can also call 1-800-777-0133 with your name and date of birth.

Does my issue date affect my insurance rates?

Not directly. However, insurance companies use your issue date to verify your license is valid and sometimes to check how long you've been licensed. A newer issue date might affect your rates if you're a new driver, but the date itself is mainly for verification.