Where to find the issue date

The issue date on your Colorado driver's license is printed on the front of the card, in the lower left corner. It appears as a month, day, and year — for example, 03/15/2021. This date tells you when the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issued your current license.

The issue date is separate from the expiration date, which appears in the lower right corner of the front. The expiration date is when your license stops being valid and you need to renew it. Colorado driver's licenses are typically valid for five years from the issue date, though this can vary depending on your age and license type.

If you are holding a physical card, look at the front surface under the photograph and personal information. The numbers are printed in black ink and are straightforward to spot once you know where to look. The format is always MM/DD/YYYY on Colorado licenses.

Key Takeaways

  • The issue date appears in the lower left corner of the front of your Colorado driver's license, printed as month/day/year.
  • This date is different from your expiration date, which is in the lower right corner and tells you when to renew.
  • Colorado licenses are typically valid for five years from the issue date, though the exact length depends on your age category.
  • If you cannot locate the date on a physical card, you can contact the Colorado DMV or check your digital license record online.

Why you might need to know your issue date

You may need to reference your issue date for several reasons. Banks and financial institutions sometimes ask for it when you open an account or explore for credit. Insurance companies may request it when you purchase a policy. Some employers ask for it during background checks or verification of identity.

Your issue date can also help you track when your license will expire. If you know the issue date, you can calculate roughly when you will need to renew by adding five years (or the appropriate validity period for your age group). This helps you plan ahead and avoid driving with an expired license.

If you cannot find the issue date on your card

If your license is damaged, faded, or difficult to read, you have other ways to find this information. You can contact the Colorado DMV directly by phone at 303-205-5600 or visit a local DMV office in person. Have your driver's license number ready when you call.

If you have a Colorado online account with the DMV, you can log in to view your license details, including the issue date. You can also check your digital Colorado driver's license if you have added it to your phone's wallet app — the issue date appears there as well.

Digital licenses and the issue date

Colorado offers a digital version of your driver's license that you can store on your phone using Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. The digital license displays the same information as your physical card, including the issue date in the same location. Many businesses and law enforcement now accept the digital version.

If you use the digital license, the issue date will match the date on your physical card exactly. Both versions are issued at the same time, so there is no difference in the dates between them. The digital version can be a helpful backup if your physical card is lost or unreadable.

Understanding license renewal and issue dates

When you renew your Colorado driver's license, the DMV issues you a new card with a new issue date. The new issue date will be the date you completed your renewal, not the date of your previous license. This means your old issue date becomes irrelevant once you renew.

If you have recently renewed your license and are looking for the issue date on your new card, remember that it will be much more recent than your old license. The expiration date will also move forward by five years from the new issue date. Keep your new license in a safe place so you can reference these dates when needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the issue date the same as the date I got my license?

Yes, the issue date is the date the Colorado DMV processed and printed your license. If you renewed your license, the issue date on your new card is the renewal date, not the date you originally received your first license.

What if my issue date and expiration date are very close together?

This can happen if you renewed your license close to its expiration date. The new issue date will be recent, and the expiration date will be five years from that new issue date. Both dates should be clearly printed on your card.

Can I use the issue date to prove when I got my license?

The issue date proves when your current license was issued, not when you originally became licensed to drive. If you need to show when you first received a Colorado license, you would need to contact the DMV for your driving record history.

Does the issue date affect my insurance rates?

Insurance companies may look at your driving record and license history, but the issue date itself does not directly affect your rates. They are more interested in violations, accidents, and how long you have held a valid license overall.