New York Driver's License Issue Date
Your New York driver's license issue date is labeled "Issued" on the front of the card — not "ISS" like most other states. New York spells the label out in full, printing it in the lower-right section beneath your photo, right under the "Expires" line. On a sample New York license, you might see Issued 10/30/2017 — that is the day the New York State DMV printed your current card, not necessarily the day you first became a New York driver.
"Issued" is shorthand for the date the New York DMV printed this physical card. If you renew or replace it, the next card shows a new "Issued" date.
Why does New York spell out "Issued" instead of using "ISS"?
The AAMVA-standard short label for issue date is ISS, and most states use it (Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, California, and others). New York chose to print the full word "Issued" for clarity — same field, same meaning. So if you scan a New York license barcode, the data still comes through under the standard "DBD" (Document Issue Date) field.
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What does "DD" mean on a New York driver's license?
DD is the Document Discriminator — a serial number that uniquely identifies that one physical card. New York DMV regenerates it whenever a card is reprinted, even if your DMV ID stays the same.
What does "Class" mean on a New York license?
Class identifies what you are licensed to drive. Class D is the standard non-commercial license; DJ is a junior license for drivers under 18; M and MJ are motorcycle classes; A, B, C cover commercial vehicles.
What do "E" and "R" mean on a New York license?
"E" is Endorsements (mostly relevant for commercial drivers). "R" is Restrictions — for example, "B" for corrective lenses or "R" for medical review. Both default to "NONE" on a standard Class D license.
How long is a New York driver's license valid?
A standard New York driver license (Class D, Enhanced, or REAL ID) is valid for 8 years. Renewals can be completed online if you have no medical changes; otherwise an in-person visit is required.
Need an older Issued date?
If you need the date you were first licensed in New York (for an insurance discount, an employment screening, or a CDL application), that information lives in your full driving record — not on the plastic card. Request it from the New York State DMV at https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-record/get-my-own-driver-record-abstract.
For a visual tour of every state's driver license design, see our full guide.
