Your Ohio driver's license issue date appears as "4AISS" on the front of the card — an AAMVA-standard label most other states shorten to just "ISS". The "4A" is the federal field number; "ISS" is the issue-date abbreviation. It is printed in the lower portion of the card, right next to the expiration date which is labeled "4BEXP".

"4AISS" marks the day the Ohio BMV printed the current physical card — not the day you first received an Ohio license. The two are usually different if you have ever renewed or replaced the card.

Why does Ohio use "4AISS" instead of just "ISS"?

Ohio prints the AAMVA federal field numbers in front of each label, the same convention Florida uses. The numbers (3 DOB, 4A ISS, 4B EXP, 4D DLN) come from the REAL ID layout standard. Most other states drop the numbers and just print "ISS" — the meaning is identical.

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What does "DD" mean on an Ohio license?

DD is the Document Discriminator, a unique serial number tied to that one printed card. It updates whenever you replace or renew the license, even though your driver license number stays the same.

What does "RSTR" or "END" mean?

RSTR is Restrictions — common Ohio codes include "A" for corrective lenses, "B" for an outside mirror, or "C" for daylight-only driving. END is Endorsements, mostly relevant for commercial drivers (CDL).

Is the gold star important?

Yes. The small gold star in the upper-right corner indicates a REAL-ID-compliant Ohio license. From May 7, 2025 onward you need a REAL ID (or another federally accepted ID like a passport) to board a domestic flight.

How long is an Ohio driver's license valid?

A standard Ohio driver's license is valid for 4 years. Drivers can renew at any Deputy Registrar license agency or, when eligible, online through the Ohio BMV.

Need an older issue date?

If you need the date you were first licensed in Ohio (for an insurance discount, employment screening, or a CDL application), that information lives in your full driving record — not on the plastic card. Request it from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles at https://bmv.ohio.gov/drivers-license.aspx.

For a visual tour of every state's driver license design, see our full guide.

The Best And Worst Driver's License Designs By State

State Driver's Licenses in the United States have different designs and aesthetics. We'll examine each state's driver's licenses and how they adapt to the new REAL-ID regulation. https://youtu.be/__jv...

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