The issue date on an Illinois driver's license is labeled ISS and appears on the front of the card. If a form is asking for your license issue date and you have an Illinois license, ISS is the field you want. Here is what every abbreviation and date field on your card means.

Where to find the issue date on an Illinois driver's license

On the current Illinois Secretary of State license design, the issue date is labeled ISS and printed on the front of the card. ISS stands for Issue Date and shows the date your current card was issued. If you have renewed your Illinois license, the ISS date on your current card reflects that renewal. Your license number stays the same across renewals; ISS resets each time a new card is printed.

Date fields on an Illinois driver's license

Illinois licenses display three date fields on the front:

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• ISS — Issue date. When your current card was printed and issued by the Illinois Secretary of State.
• DOB — Date of birth. Your birthdate, used for identity and age verification.
• EXP — Expiration date. Illinois driver's licenses are valid for 4 years for most adult drivers.

When a form asks for your "driver's license issue date," enter the date next to ISS. When it asks for "date of birth," enter DOB. They appear near each other on the card and are easy to mix up when reading quickly.

What does DD mean on an Illinois driver's license?

DD stands for Document Discriminator, a unique serial number for your specific physical card. It changes every time a new card is printed, even if your license number stays the same. Banks, car rental companies, and identity verification systems use the DD to confirm the card is authentic and has not been altered or duplicated.

If a form asks for a "document number" separate from your license number, it is usually asking for the DD.

Restrictions on an Illinois driver's license

Illinois licenses display restrictions in the RSTR field. If it shows None, your license has no restrictions. Common restriction codes in Illinois:

• A — Corrective lenses required while driving
• B — Daylight driving only
• C — No expressway or tollway driving
• E — Automatic transmission only
• F — Left outside mirror required

Driving in violation of a restriction on your Illinois license is a traffic offense.

Illinois REAL ID: the gold star

Illinois issues both standard and REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses. A REAL ID Illinois license has a gold star in the upper right corner. From May 7, 2025, a REAL ID or another accepted federal document is required to board domestic flights and enter certain federal buildings.

A standard Illinois license without the star works for driving and most everyday ID but not for domestic air travel. To upgrade to a REAL ID, visit an Illinois Secretary of State facility in person with proof of identity, Social Security number, and two documents showing your Illinois address.

Vertical driver's licenses for drivers under 21

Illinois issues vertical-format licenses to drivers under 21. The vertical orientation is a deliberate visual cue that lets retailers, bars, and venues quickly identify underage cardholders without scrutinizing the birth date. Once you turn 21 and renew, your license switches to the standard horizontal format.

How to renew an Illinois driver's license

Illinois Secretary of State offers several renewal options. Online renewal is available for eligible drivers through ilsos.gov. In-person renewal is required for first-time REAL ID issuance, address or name changes, and CDL transactions. Illinois also allows renewal at Secretary of State mobile units that visit communities across the state on a rotating schedule.

Illinois licenses expire every 4 years on your birthday. The renewal fee for a standard Class D license is currently $30. You can renew up to 90 days before your expiration date.

How to find your original Illinois licensing date

The ISS date on your card shows when your current card was issued, not when you first became licensed in Illinois. If you need your original licensing date for insurance, employment, or a CDL application, request a copy of your official driving abstract through the Illinois Secretary of State website. The abstract shows your full licensing history, original issue date, and any violations or suspensions.