What the Issue Date Is and Where to Find It

The issue date on your Missouri driver's license is the day the Missouri Department of Revenue issued that specific license card to you. It appears on the front of your license in the lower left area, printed as a six-digit number in MM/DD/YY format. This date is not the same as your birth date or the date you passed your test — it is the date the physical card was created and mailed to you.

You will see the issue date printed directly on the card itself. If you have renewed your license before, each renewal creates a new issue date. The issue date matters because it marks the beginning of your license's validity period and is used to calculate when your next renewal is due.

Key Takeaways

  • The issue date is printed on the front of your license in MM/DD/YY format and shows when that specific card was issued to you.
  • Missouri licenses are valid for six years from the issue date for most drivers, or eight years if you are age 70 or older at renewal.
  • Your renewal date is always six years after your issue date, unless you renewed at age 70 or older, in which case it is eight years.
  • The issue date resets each time you renew, so a renewed license will have a new issue date different from your original license.

How the Issue Date Determines Your Renewal Timeline

Missouri calculates your license expiration date by adding six years to your issue date. If your issue date is 03/15/2022, your license expires on 03/15/2028. You can renew your license up to one year before the expiration date, so in this example you could renew starting 03/15/2027.

The one exception is if you were age 70 or older when you renewed your license. In that case, Missouri issues an eight-year license instead of a six-year license, so your expiration date is eight years after the issue date. This applies only to the renewal you completed at age 70 or older — if you renew again before turning 78, you return to the standard six-year cycle.

You can find your expiration date on the back of your license. It is listed as "Expires" followed by a date in MM/DD/YYYY format. The expiration date is always the same as your issue date, just six or eight years later.

When You Receive Your New Issue Date

You receive a new issue date every time you renew your license through the Missouri Department of Revenue. When you renew in person at a license office, the new card is typically printed on-site and you leave with it the same day. The issue date on that card is the date you completed the renewal transaction.

If you renew by mail, the new card is printed after your process is processed, which takes about two weeks. The issue date will be the date the card was printed and mailed to you, not the date you mailed in your process. You can track your card's status through the Missouri Department of Revenue website once your renewal is submitted.

If you replace a lost, stolen, or damaged license, you also receive a new issue date. The replacement card is treated as a new license, not a continuation of your old one. Your expiration date remains the same as your original license unless you are renewing at the same time.

Issue Date vs. Expiration Date: The Difference

The issue date is when the card was made. The expiration date is when it stops being valid. These are always six or eight years apart. Your issue date never changes unless you renew or replace your license. Your expiration date is fixed the moment your license is issued and does not move forward — you must renew before it arrives.

Some people confuse the issue date with the date they first became licensed to drive. That date is not printed on your license. If you need to prove when you first received a Missouri license, you would need to contact the Missouri Department of Revenue directly or check your driving record.

Reading Your License: Where to Find the Issue Date

Hold your Missouri license with the front facing you. Look in the lower left corner of the card. You will see a six-digit number in the format MM/DD/YY. This is your issue date. The numbers are printed in black text on the white background of the license.

On the back of your license, you will see "Expires" followed by the expiration date in MM/DD/YYYY format. This expiration date is always the same month and day as your issue date, just six or eight years later. For example, if your issue date is 07/22/19, your expiration date will be 07/22/2025 (or 07/22/2027 if you were 70 or older when you renewed).

What Happens If Your Issue Date Is Wrong

If the issue date printed on your license does not match the date you received the card, contact the Missouri Department of Revenue. Errors on the issue date are rare but can happen during printing or processing. You will need to bring your license and proof of when you actually received it — such as the envelope it came in or your transaction receipt from the license office.

The Department of Revenue can issue a corrected license with the correct issue date. This is treated as a replacement, not a renewal, so your expiration date will not change. There is a fee for a replacement license, which varies depending on whether you are replacing a regular license, a commercial license, or a motorcycle endorsement.

Issue Date and License Renewal by Mail

If you renew your Missouri license by mail, the issue date on your new card will be the date the card was printed and shipped from the Department of Revenue facility, not the date you mailed in your process or the date the office received it. You will not know the exact issue date until the card arrives.

The Missouri Department of Revenue processes mail renewals in the order they are received. Processing typically takes two to three weeks from the date they receive your process. Once your card is printed, it is mailed to the address you provided. You can check the status of your renewal online using your driver's license number and date of birth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license before the issue date shows up?

No. You can renew your license up to one year before your expiration date, but the expiration date is based on your current issue date. You cannot renew before your current license is issued. If you just received a new license, you must wait until one year before its expiration date to renew.

Does the issue date change if I get a replacement license?

Yes. A replacement license for a lost, stolen, or damaged card receives a new issue date — the date the replacement card was printed. Your expiration date stays the same as your original license unless you are renewing at the same time. If you are both renewing and replacing, the new card gets a new issue date and a new expiration date six or eight years later.

What if my license shows an issue date from before I actually got it?

Contact the Missouri Department of Revenue with your license and proof of when you received it, such as the mailing envelope or a receipt from the license office. They can issue a corrected license. There is a fee for this replacement, and the new card will have the corrected issue date.

Is the issue date the same as when I passed my driving test?

No. The issue date is when your license card was printed and issued to you. If you passed your test on one date but did not pick up your license for several days, the issue date will be the later date. The date you passed your test is not printed on your license.

How do I know if my license is about to expire?

Look at the expiration date on the back of your license. It is listed as "Expires" followed by a date. You can renew up to one year before that date. If you are unsure of your expiration date, you can also check your driving record through the Missouri Department of Revenue website using your license number and date of birth.