Your driver's license has an issue date and an expiration date printed on the front
The age of your driver's license — how long you have held it — is different from your personal age. Your license itself has two dates that matter: the date it was issued to you and the date it expires. Most states print both on the front of the card, usually in the lower right corner. The issue date shows when you first received that particular license; the expiration date shows when you must renew it.
Why this distinction matters depends on what you are doing. Law enforcement, insurance companies, and employers sometimes care about how long you have held a valid license, not just whether it is currently valid. A license issued five years ago carries different weight than one issued five months ago, especially if you are involved in an accident or explore for a job that requires driving.
Your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent agency keeps a record of every license you have held and when each one was issued. You can request a copy of your driving record if you need to prove how long you have been licensed.
Key Takeaways
- Your license has an issue date (when you got it) and an expiration date (when you must renew), both printed on the card itself.
- The age of your license can affect insurance rates, employment decisions, and how seriously violations are treated by courts.
- You can calculate how long you have held your current license by subtracting the issue date from today's date.
- Your state DMV maintains a complete record of every license you have held, which you can request in writing or online.
- Renewing your license does not reset its age for legal purposes — your driving history remains continuous.
Where to find your license's issue and expiration dates
On a physical driver's license card, the issue date and expiration date appear in the lower portion of the front side. The exact position varies by state — some place them side by side, others stack them vertically. The issue date is sometimes labeled "Issued" or "Issue Date"; the expiration date may say "Expires" or "Valid Until." If you cannot locate them on your card, your state's DMV website usually shows a sample license with labels pointing to each field.
If you have a digital or mobile driver's license (available in some states through Apple Wallet or Google Wallet), the same dates appear in the app. You can also log into your state DMV's online portal — most states allow you to view your license information, including issue and expiration dates, by entering your license number and date of birth.
Your license renewal notice, which arrives by mail before expiration, also displays both dates. Keep this notice in a safe place; it serves as proof of your current license status if your physical card is lost or damaged.
How license age affects insurance and driving records
Insurance companies use your license issue date as one factor in calculating your premium. A driver who has held a license for ten years is statistically less risky than a driver who has held one for one year, so insurers often charge lower rates to longer-licensed drivers. This is separate from your age as a person — a 45-year-old who just received their first license will pay higher premiums than a 25-year-old who has been licensed since age 16.
Your driving record is tied to your license history, not reset by renewal. If you received your first license in 2010 and renewed it in 2015 and 2020, your record still shows all violations, accidents, and points from 2010 onward. Courts and insurers can see the full timeline. This is why a license age of 15 years carries more weight than a license age of 2 years — it represents a longer period of observed driving behavior.
Some states also use license age in sentencing for traffic violations. A first-time speeding ticket may result in a warning for a newly licensed driver but a fine for someone with years of violations on record. Employment background checks for driving jobs often specify a minimum license age — for example, "must have held a valid license for at least three years."
Calculating how long you have held your current license
To find out how long you have held your license, subtract the issue date from today's date. If your license was issued on March 15, 2019, and today is March 15, 2024, you have held it for exactly five years. If today is March 20, 2024, you have held it for five years and five days.
You do not need to wait until your license expires to know its age. The issue date is permanent and does not change unless you explore for a new license (which creates a new issue date). Renewing your license before it expires — which most states allow 30 to 90 days before the expiration date — extends the expiration date but keeps the original issue date intact.
If you have lost track of your issue date, you can find it by looking at your physical card, checking your state DMV's online account, or calling your local DMV office with your license number and date of birth.
What happens when you renew your license
When you renew your license, the DMV issues a new card with a new expiration date. However, the issue date on that new card is the renewal date, not your original license date. This means your license age resets to zero on the day you renew — but your driving record does not. The state still has a record of every license you have held and when each one was issued.
This distinction matters if someone is checking your driving history. They will see that your current license is new, but they will also see your previous licenses and the full timeline of your driving record. Insurance companies and employers can access this complete history.
Some states allow you to renew online or by mail, which means you receive a new card without visiting an office. Others require an in-person visit. Check your state DMV's website to see which renewal methods are available to you and whether you are may be able to access to renew early.
Requesting your complete driving record from your state DMV
Your state DMV maintains an official record of every license you have held, every violation, every accident, and every point on your record. You can request a copy of this record — called a driving history, motor vehicle record, or driving abstract — by visiting your local DMV office, mailing a request form, or using your state's online portal.
Most states charge a small fee for a printed copy, usually between $5 and $15. Online requests are sometimes free or cost slightly less. You will need to provide your full name, date of birth, license number, and sometimes your Social Security number. Some states allow you to request the record for yourself when ready; others require you to show identification in person.
This record is useful if you need to prove your license age to an employer, insurance company, or court. It shows the exact date each license was issued and the dates of any violations or accidents. Keep a copy in a safe place if you know you will need it soon.
License age and young or new drivers
A newly licensed driver — someone who just passed their driving test — has a license age of zero days. In some states, new drivers are subject to restrictions called graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws, which limit when and how they can drive during their first months or years. These restrictions are based on license age, not personal age.
For example, a state might prohibit drivers under GDL restrictions from driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., or from carrying passengers under age 21. These rules typically expire after a set period — often six months to two years — once the driver's license age reaches a certain threshold. A 25-year-old who just received their first license would be subject to the same GDL restrictions as a 16-year-old, because both have a license age of zero.
Insurance rates for new drivers are also higher regardless of personal age. A 40-year-old with a license age of one month will pay more than a 40-year-old with a license age of ten years, because the insurance company is pricing the risk of inexperience, not the risk of age.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does renewing my license reset my driving record?
No. Renewing your license gives you a new card with a new expiration date, but your driving record remains continuous. The state keeps a record of every license you have held and all violations, accidents, and points from your entire driving history. Insurance companies and courts can see this complete history.
Can I find out how old my license is without looking at the card?
Yes. Log into your state DMV's online account using your license number and date of birth, or call your local DMV office. You can also request a copy of your driving record, which shows the issue date of your current license. Most states allow online requests that arrive within a few days.
Why do insurance companies care how long I have held my license?
Insurance companies use license age as a measure of driving experience. A driver with a license age of ten years has a longer history of observed behavior than a driver with a license age of one year, so they are statistically less risky. This is separate from your personal age — a new driver of any age pays higher premiums than an experienced driver of the same age.
If I get a new license due to damage or loss, does my license age reset?
If you replace a damaged or lost license, the DMV issues a new card with a new issue date. Your license age resets to zero on that day. However, your driving record remains unchanged — all previous violations and accidents stay on your record. Insurance companies and employers can still see your full history.
What is the difference between my license age and my driving record?
Your license age is how long you have held your current license card. Your driving record is the complete history of all violations, accidents, and points from every license you have ever held. License age resets when you renew; your driving record does not.