How to Return a Found Driver's License

The fastest way to return a driver's license is to hand it to the police department or sheriff's office in the city where you found it

If you find a driver's license, you have several straightforward options. The quickest route is usually your local police station or sheriff's office — they have a lost and found system and can contact the person directly. You can also mail it to the address on the license, turn it in to the DMV office in that state, or if it was found at a business, give it to the manager on duty. The person who lost it will get it back faster if you act within a day or two, since the longer it sits, the more likely they'll have already reported it missing and ordered a replacement.

The method you choose depends partly on where you found it. A license found at a restaurant or store should go to that business first — they often have systems for returning items to customers. A license found on the street or in a parking lot is better handled through police or the DMV. A license found at an airport should go to the airport's lost and found desk.

Key Takeaways

Police departments and sheriff's offices have lost and found systems and will contact the owner directly, making this the fastest option for most situations.
If you found the license at a business, give it to a manager or employee there first, since the owner may return looking for it.
You can mail a driver's license to the address printed on it, though this takes longer than other methods.
State DMV offices accept found driver's licenses and will return them to the owner, though you may need to visit in person or mail it depending on the state.
Do not throw away a found license or leave it where you found it — the owner needs it to prove their identity.

Turning it in to police or the sheriff's office

This is usually the fastest option. Call the non-emergency line of the police department or sheriff's office in the city where you found the license and ask where to drop it off. Most departments have a front desk where you can hand it over during business hours. You do not need to make an appointment or provide your name, though some departments may ask where you found it so they can note that in the report.

The police will either contact the person directly or file it in their lost and found system. If the owner has already reported it missing, the department can tell them where to pick it up. This method works well for licenses found on the street, in parks, or in other public places where the owner is unlikely to return.

Returning it at the place where you found it

If you found the license at a restaurant, store, gas station, gym, or other business, hand it to a manager or employee right away. Many businesses keep found items at the front desk or customer service counter, and the owner often returns within a day or two asking if anyone turned it in. This is faster than any other method because the person knows where they lost it and will check there first.

Ask the employee to put it in a safe place and note the date you turned it in. If the business has a lost and found log, ask them to write down that you found a driver's license. This creates a record in case the owner calls later.

Mailing it to the address on the license

You can mail the license to the address printed on it. Put it in an envelope with a brief note saying where you found it, seal it, and use regular mail — do not send it by certified mail or signature required, since that creates extra steps for the recipient. The license will reach them in three to seven business days depending on distance.

This method works if you found the license far from where the person lives, or if you do not have time to visit a police station. The downside is that it takes longer, and if the person has already reported it missing and ordered a replacement, they may not be home to receive it. Still, it is better than throwing it away.

Taking it to the DMV office

You can bring a found driver's license to any DMV office in the state where it was issued. Look up the DMV office nearest to where you found it and visit during business hours. Tell the staff member at the counter that you found the license and want to turn it in. They will take it and file it in their lost and found system.

The owner can then contact the DMV or visit in person to claim it. This method works well if you found the license at a DMV office itself, or if you live near one and have time to stop by. Call ahead if you want to confirm that the office accepts found licenses this way, since procedures vary slightly by state.

What not to do with a found driver's license

Do not throw it away, even if it is damaged or old. A driver's license is an identity document, and the person who lost it needs it back. Do not leave it where you found it — the owner may not return, and weather or other people may damage it further. Do not try to contact the person by phone or social media using information from the license, since you cannot verify who is actually answering and it creates privacy and safety risks.

Do not keep the license yourself, even temporarily, with the intention of returning it later. The sooner you turn it in, the sooner the owner gets it back and the less time they spend without a valid ID. If you find a license and cannot return it when ready, put it in a safe place and make a note to handle it within 24 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the license is damaged or wet?

Turn it in anyway. A damaged license is still valid proof of identity, and the owner can use it until they order a replacement. Police departments and DMV offices accept damaged licenses. Do not try to dry it or repair it yourself — just hand it over as is.

What if I found a license from another state?

The process is the same. You can mail it to the address on the license, take it to a police station in your area and ask them to forward it, or contact the DMV in the state that issued it. Mailing it directly to the address is often the simplest option for out-of-state licenses.

Do I need to give my name or contact information when I turn it in?

Most police departments and DMV offices do not require your name or contact information. They will note that the license was turned in and contact the owner. If you want to leave your name so the owner can thank you, you can ask the staff member if they accept that information.

What if the license has no address on it?

Take it to the police department or DMV in the area where you found it. They can look up the person's current address using the license number and contact them. Do not attempt to search for the person online or use the license information to find them yourself.

How long do police and DMV offices keep found licenses?

This varies by location. Most hold found items for 30 to 90 days before discarding them. The sooner you turn in the license, the better the chance the owner will find it before that window closes.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.