What you need to do to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged driver's license
To get a replacement driver's license, you visit your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent agency, bring proof of identity and residency, pay a replacement fee, and have your photo taken. The whole process usually takes 15 to 45 minutes if you walk in without an appointment. Most states let you order a replacement online or by mail, which takes longer but saves you a trip. A few states mail the new license to you; others print it on the spot.
The exact steps and fees vary by state. Some states charge $10 to $30 for a replacement; others charge more. Some require you to renew your license at the same time, which costs extra. Before you go, check your state's DMV website to see whether you can do this online, what documents to bring, and whether you need an appointment.
Key Takeaways
- Most states let you replace a driver's license online, by mail, or in person at the DMV, and the method you choose affects how long it takes and what documents you need.
- You will need to prove your identity (usually with a passport, birth certificate, or state ID) and prove where you live (usually with a utility bill, lease, or bank statement).
- Replacement fees range by state and usually cost between $10 and $50, and some states charge extra if your license is also expiring soon.
- If you replace your license in person, you will get a temporary paper license on the spot and the permanent one by mail within one to three weeks.
- If your license was stolen, you may need to file a police report or sign a statement swearing it was stolen, depending on your state's rules.
Replacing your license online or by mail
Many states let you order a replacement license through their DMV website without leaving home. You log in with your driver's license number and date of birth, confirm your address, upload a photo (or use an existing one on file), pay the fee by credit card, and submit. The new license arrives by mail in one to three weeks.
Online replacement usually works only if your license is not expired and you have not changed your address or name since you got it. If any of those things are different, you will have to go in person or mail in a paper form. Check your state's DMV website to see whether online replacement is available and what the exact rules are for your situation.
If your state does not offer online replacement, you can mail in an process form. You print the form from the DMV website, fill it out, include copies of your identity and residency documents, and mail it with a check or money order. Processing takes two to four weeks. Some states require you to include a new photo; others use the one already on file.
Replacing your license in person at the DMV
Walk into your local DMV office with your identity document, proof of residency, and payment. Bring the original documents, not copies — the staff member will look at them and hand them back. If you do not have an appointment, you may wait 15 minutes to an hour depending on how busy the office is. Many states now let you book an appointment online, which cuts the wait time to nearly zero.
The staff member will verify your information, take a new photo, and print a temporary paper license on the spot. You can drive legally with that paper license right away. Your permanent plastic license arrives by mail within one to three weeks. If your state prints licenses in-house, you may get the plastic license the same day, but this is less common.
Bring your old license if you still have it, even if it is damaged. If it is lost or stolen, tell the staff member. Some states require a signed statement that you did not sell or give it away; others just note it in the system. If your license was stolen and you are worried about identity theft, ask whether your state has a fraud alert process.
Documents you will need
You need one document that proves who you are and one that proves where you live. For identity, bring your passport, birth certificate, state ID card, military ID, or tribal ID. A Social Security card alone is not enough. For residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail with your name and address. The document usually has to be dated within the last 60 days, though rules vary by state.
If you changed your name since you got your current license — through marriage, divorce, or court order — bring the document that proves the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you changed your address, you do not need a separate document; you just tell the DMV staff and they update it.
If you are replacing your license because it was stolen, some states ask you to sign a statement under penalty of perjury that you did not sell it or give it away. A few states require a police report. Check your state's DMV website or call ahead to see what your state requires.
Replacement fees and timing
Replacement fees range from $10 to $50 depending on your state. Some states charge less if you are only replacing a lost or damaged license; others charge the same fee whether you are replacing it or renewing it. If your license is expiring within the next few months, some states require you to renew it at the same time, which adds $20 to $100 to the cost.
Timing depends on the method you choose. In-person replacement gives you a temporary license the same day and a permanent one within one to three weeks. Online or mail-in replacement takes two to four weeks. If you need to drive before the permanent license arrives, the temporary paper license is valid everywhere a regular license is valid.
What to do if you cannot find your documents
If you do not have a passport or birth certificate, you can get one before you go to the DMV. A birth certificate takes one to four weeks to order from your state's vital records office and costs $10 to $30. A passport takes four to six weeks through the mail or one to two weeks in person at a passport acceptance facility, and costs $130 to $165 for a first-time process.
If you do not have proof of residency, ask the DMV what alternatives they accept. Some states accept a lease agreement, a utility bill in someone else's name if you live with them, a letter from a shelter or transitional housing program, or a statement from a social services agency. Call your local DMV office and describe your situation; they can tell you what will work.
Replacing a license that is also expiring
If your license is expiring within the next few months, some states require you to renew it when you replace it. Others let you replace it without renewing. Check your state's DMV website or call to find out which applies to you. If renewal is required, you will pay both the replacement fee and the renewal fee, which usually totals $30 to $100.
If you are replacing your license and it is also expiring, the new license you receive will have a new expiration date — usually five to eight years from the date you replace it, depending on your state. You will not have to renew again until that new date arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with a temporary paper license?
Yes. The temporary paper license the DMV gives you on the spot is valid for driving everywhere a regular plastic license is valid. You can use it to drive, rent a car, or show as proof of identity until your permanent license arrives by mail.
What if I moved to a new state?
You need to get a driver's license from your new state. You cannot renew or replace a license from a state where you no longer live. Go to your new state's DMV with proof of residency in that state, and they will issue you a new license. You can usually keep your old license as a form of ID, but it is not valid for driving.
How long does it take to get a replacement license by mail?
Mail-in replacement usually takes two to four weeks from the date you mail in your process. Online replacement takes one to three weeks from the date you submit. In-person replacement gives you a temporary license the same day and a permanent one within one to three weeks. Times vary by state and by how busy the DMV is.
Do I need a police report if my license was stolen?
It depends on your state. Some states require a police report; others just ask you to sign a statement saying you did not sell or give away the license. A few states do not require either. Check your state's DMV website or call your local office to find out what your state requires before you go in.
Can I use an old photo on my replacement license?
If you replace your license online or by mail, most states use the photo already on file. If you replace it in person, the DMV takes a new photo. Some states let you request to use your old photo if you have a religious or medical reason, but you usually have to ask in advance.