Your Colorado driver's license issue date is printed on the front of your card, below your photograph

The issue date is the day the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) created your current license. It appears as a month, day, and year — for example, 03/15/2021. This is different from your expiration date, which tells you when the license stops being valid.

You need this date for several reasons: verifying your identity to banks or employers, proving how long you have held a valid license, or confirming the license is still within its validity period. Some forms and background checks specifically ask for the issue date rather than the expiration date.

If you cannot read the date on your physical card — because the print is worn or faded — you can look it up through the Colorado DMV website or by calling their customer service line. You do not need to visit an office in person for this information.

Key Takeaways

  • The issue date appears on the front of your Colorado driver's license as a month/day/year format below your photo.
  • Issue date and expiration date are two different pieces of information; the issue date shows when your current license was created.
  • You can find your issue date by looking at your physical card or by contacting the Colorado DMV online or by phone.
  • Banks, employers, and background check companies sometimes request the issue date specifically to verify your identity or license history.

How to read the date on your physical card

Open your wallet and look at the front of your Colorado driver's license. The issue date is located in the lower left area of the card, just below your photograph. The format is always MM/DD/YYYY — two digits for the month, two for the day, and four for the year.

The card also shows an expiration date, which is usually in the lower right area. Do not confuse the two. The issue date tells you when this license was issued; the expiration date tells you when it stops being valid and must be renewed.

If the print on your card is too faded or damaged to read clearly, the Colorado DMV can print you a replacement card with a new issue date. You would need to request a duplicate or replacement license through the DMV.

Looking up your issue date through the Colorado DMV

The Colorado DMV does not offer a public online portal where you can look up your license details by entering your name and license number. However, you can call the DMV customer service line at 303-205-5600 to speak with a representative who can confirm your issue date over the phone.

When you call, have your driver's license number ready. The representative will verify your identity and provide the issue date. This is a free service and typically takes a few minutes.

You can also visit a local DMV office in person if you prefer to confirm the date face-to-face. Bring your physical license or another form of identification. Office hours and locations vary by county, so check the Colorado DMV website for the office nearest you.

Why banks and employers ask for the issue date

When you open a bank account or explore for a job, the institution may ask for your driver's license issue date as part of identity verification. This date, combined with your name, date of birth, and license number, helps confirm that you are who you say you are.

Background check companies also use the issue date to verify that your license was valid during a specific time period — for example, to confirm you held a valid license while you were employed somewhere. This is especially common in jobs that require a clean driving record or frequent background checks.

Some forms ask for the issue date because it is harder to forge or remember incorrectly than other details. If you provide the wrong issue date, it may delay processing or cause the verification to fail.

The difference between issue date and expiration date

Your Colorado driver's license has two important dates. The issue date is when the DMV created your current license. The expiration date is when that license stops being valid and you must renew it.

In Colorado, a standard driver's license is valid for five years from the issue date. So if your issue date is 03/15/2021, your expiration date would be 03/15/2026. After that date, you cannot legally drive or use the license as identification.

If someone asks for your "license date," they usually mean the expiration date — the date that matters for whether your license is currently valid. But some forms specifically ask for the issue date to verify your identity or confirm how long you have held a license.

What to do if your issue date is wrong

If you look at your license and the issue date does not match when you actually received it, contact the Colorado DMV. Errors on licenses are rare but do happen, and the DMV can correct them.

Call 303-205-5600 or visit a local DMV office with your license and any documents that show when you received it — such as a receipt or confirmation email from your original process. The DMV will review the error and issue a corrected license if needed.

You may be charged a small fee for a replacement license, though some corrections are made at no cost. Ask the DMV representative about the fee before you proceed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my issue date to prove how long I have held a license?

Yes. Your issue date shows when your current license was created. If you need to prove you have held a valid license for a certain length of time — for a job, insurance, or legal reason — the issue date is the starting point. However, if you have renewed your license in the past, each renewal creates a new issue date, so your current issue date may not reflect how long you have been licensed overall.

What if I lost my license and got a replacement — does the issue date change?

Yes. When you get a replacement or duplicate license from the Colorado DMV, the new card receives a new issue date — the date you received the replacement. The expiration date may also change depending on Colorado DMV policy at the time of replacement.

Is the issue date the same as my birthday?

No. Your issue date is when the DMV created your license, which is usually the day you applied or visited the office. Your birthday is a separate date. However, Colorado licenses expire on your birthday in the year they are set to expire, so the expiration date is tied to your birthday.

Do I need my issue date to renew my license?

You do not need to provide your issue date to renew your license. The Colorado DMV uses your license number and personal information to look up your record. However, having your current license handy when you renew makes the process faster.

What if I cannot find my issue date before a important date?

Call the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5600 and ask them to provide it over the phone. Have your license number ready. This usually takes just a few minutes and costs nothing.