A found driver's license belongs to the person whose name is on it, and you have several straightforward ways to return it
If you find a driver's license on a table—whether it's yours, someone else's, or you're not sure whose it is—the fastest route is usually to contact the state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) directly. Most states have a lost-and-found process, and some let you mail the license back or drop it at a local DMV office. If the license has an address on it, you can also mail it to that address or contact the person through social media or a phone number lookup. The person who lost it will be relieved to get it back quickly, since a lost license can mean cancelled plans and a trip to the DMV to replace it.
The method you choose depends on what information is readable on the license and whether you know the person. If you can read the address clearly, mailing it back is straightforward and requires no phone calls. If you know the person or can find them online, a direct message is fastest. And if you're unsure about any of the information, the DMV can always help you track down the owner using their database.
Key Takeaways
- Contact your state's DMV directly—most have a lost-and-found department or a phone line for reporting found IDs.
- If you know the person, text or call them; if not, try mailing it to the address printed on the license.
- Never throw away a driver's license, even if it looks old or damaged—it still belongs to someone.
- Some police departments accept found IDs and will contact the owner, though the DMV is usually faster.
- If the license is damaged or the address is illegible, the DMV can still help you track down the owner.
Contact the DMV in the state where the license was issued
Every state's DMV has a process for handling found licenses. Call the DMV's main line or visit their website and look for "lost and found" or "found ID." Some states let you report a found license online; others ask you to call or mail it in. Have the license in front of you when you call so you can read the name, license number, and date of birth to the staff member.
The DMV will either contact the person directly or tell you how to return it. Some states ask you to mail the license to the DMV office in the county where it was issued, and they forward it to the owner. Others give you the person's address or phone number so you can reach them yourself. This route is reliable because the DMV has the person's current information on file and can track them down even if the address on the license is outdated.
Mail it directly to the address on the license
If the address is legible and current, you can mail the license back yourself. Put it in an envelope with a brief note—"I found this on a table and wanted to return it"—and mail it to the address printed on the front or back of the license. Use regular mail, not certified mail, since the person may not be home to sign for it. Include your contact information if you want them to confirm they received it, but this is optional.
This method works well if the address looks recent and you're comfortable with the license being in the mail for a few days. The downside is that the person won't have their ID until it arrives, which could take a week or more depending on distance. If the address is old or illegible, skip this step and contact the DMV instead. Many people update their address with the DMV but forget to update it elsewhere, so the DMV route is more reliable when you're unsure.
Call or text the person if you know them
If you recognize the name on the license or know the person, reach out directly. A text or call is the fastest way to reunite someone with their ID. You can arrange to meet them, mail it to them, or drop it off at their home or workplace. Most people will be grateful and may offer to pick it up from you right away.
If you don't know the person but can find them on social media using the name on the license, you can send them a message. Keep it straightforward: "I found your driver's license on a table at [location]. Let me know how you'd like me to return it." This gives them options and shows you're trustworthy. Social media is often faster than waiting for mail, and the person can confirm their identity before you hand over the license.
Use a phone number lookup if the address is unclear
If the address on the license is smudged or you're not sure it's current, you can search for the person's phone number online using their name and the city listed on the license. Free services like TrueCaller, WhitePages, or a basic Google search sometimes turn up a phone number. Call and say you found their license, then ask how they'd like you to return it.
Be aware that not everyone's number is publicly listed, and some results may be outdated. If you can't find a number this way, go back to contacting the DMV—that's the most reliable option when you can't reach the person directly. The DMV has access to information that isn't available to the public, so they can often locate someone even when online searches come up empty.
Take it to a police station or DMV office if you're nearby
If you're near a DMV office or police station, you can drop the license off in person. The DMV is usually faster—staff can log it into their lost-and-found system and contact the owner within days. Police departments also accept found IDs, but the process may take longer since they have to forward it to the DMV or contact the person themselves.
Call ahead to confirm the office accepts found licenses and ask what hours they're open. Bring the license in its original condition and ask for a receipt or confirmation number so you have proof you returned it. This in-person route is helpful if you want to hand off the license when ready and don't want to deal with mailing or phone calls.
What not to do with a found driver's license
Never throw away a driver's license, even if it looks old, expired, or damaged. It still belongs to someone and can be returned. Don't keep it as a souvenir or curiosity—the person needs it for identification, and replacing it costs time and money.
Don't assume the person will come looking for it or that someone else will handle it. If you found it, you're in the best position to return it. The longer it sits, the more inconvenient it becomes for the owner. A few minutes of effort on your part can save them a trip to the DMV and the cost of a replacement license, which varies by state but typically runs between $20 and $50. Returning a found license is one of the easiest ways to help a stranger solve a real problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the license is expired?
An expired license still belongs to the person and should be returned the same way. They may need it for identification purposes, and the DMV can still use it to contact them. Don't assume it's worthless just because it's no longer valid for driving.
Can I keep a found license if I can't find the owner?
No. If you've tried contacting the DMV and mailing it to the address on the license without success, contact the DMV again and ask them to hold it in their lost-and-found. Many people eventually call the DMV to report a lost license and will find it there.
What if the license has a different name than I expected?
Return it anyway. People change their names, and the license still belongs to whoever it was issued to. The name on the license is what matters for returning it, not whether you recognize the person.
Do I need to tell the person where I found the license?
You don't have to, but it can help them figure out where they lost it. A straightforward note like "Found on a table at [location]" is helpful without being intrusive. If you're mailing it, include this detail so they know where to retrace their steps.
What if the license is damaged or the information is hard to read?
Contact the DMV and describe what you found. They can often identify the person from a partial license number or other details you can read. The DMV handles damaged licenses regularly and knows how to track down the owner even when the card itself is in poor condition.