Report the theft to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles when ready

Call the DHSMV at 850-617-3000 during business hours, or go in person to your nearest Florida driver license office. Have your driver license number ready if you know it, along with your date of birth and Social Security number. The DHSMV will flag your license as stolen in their system, which prevents someone else from using it to get a duplicate or to conduct identity fraud in your name.

If you cannot reach the DHSMV by phone, you can also report the theft online through the DHSMV website or visit a driver license office in person. Reporting in person is fastest if you need a replacement license the same day. Bring a government-issued ID (passport, military ID, or state ID) and proof of your current address, such as a utility bill or lease.

The DHSMV will issue you a new license with a different number. This new license is what you will use going forward for all identification purposes. The old stolen license becomes invalid once the DHSMV processes the report.

Key Takeaways

  • Report your stolen license to the DHSMV by phone at 850-617-3000 or in person at a driver license office as soon as you discover the theft.
  • The DHSMV will flag your license as stolen and issue you a new license with a different number within the same visit if you go in person.
  • File a police report with your local law enforcement agency to create an official record of the theft, which protects you if the license is used fraudulently.
  • Place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to monitor for identity theft related to your stolen license.
  • Check your credit report regularly for unauthorized accounts or charges that may indicate someone is using your stolen license for fraud.

File a police report with your local law enforcement agency

Contact the police department in the city or county where you live and report the stolen license. You can file the report in person, by phone, or online depending on what your local police department offers. Provide the officer or dispatcher with your license number, the date you discovered it was missing, and any details about where you last had it.

The police report creates an official record that you did not authorize anyone to use your license. This document protects you if someone uses the stolen license to commit fraud or if a business later claims you owe money for something the thief did in your name. Keep a copy of the police report number for your records.

Some police departments allow you to file a report online through their website. Others require you to call the non-emergency line or visit in person. Check your local police department's website to see which method is available in your area.

Place a fraud alert with the credit bureaus

Contact Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion and request a fraud alert on your credit file. You only need to call one bureau — that bureau will notify the other two. A fraud alert tells creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts or extending credit in your name.

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285. Experian: 1-888-397-3742. TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289. The fraud alert lasts one year and is free. After one year, you can renew it if you wish.

A fraud alert is different from a credit freeze. An alert warns creditors to check your identity; a freeze locks your credit file so no one can open new accounts without your permission. You can place a credit freeze at the same time as the fraud alert if you want stronger protection. Freezes are also free in Florida.

Monitor your credit report for unauthorized activity

Request a free copy of your credit report from each of the three bureaus at annualcreditreport.com. This is the only official website for free credit reports; do not use other sites that charge fees. Review each report carefully for accounts you did not open, inquiries from creditors you did not contact, or charges you do not recognize.

If you find unauthorized accounts or inquiries, contact the bureau that reported them and file a dispute. The bureau must investigate within 30 days and remove the item if it cannot verify that you opened the account. Keep copies of all dispute letters and responses.

After you place a fraud alert, you may also be may have access to to additional free credit reports beyond the annual one. Check with each bureau about what they offer to fraud alert customers in your state.

Get a replacement Florida driver license

Visit your nearest Florida driver license office with your government-issued ID and proof of address. Bring the police report number if you have it — this speeds up the process. The DHSMV will issue you a new license with a new number on the spot in most cases.

The replacement license costs $20 in Florida. You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card at the office. If you want to renew your license at the same time (if it is expiring soon), you can do both in one visit, though the cost will be higher.

If you cannot visit an office in person, you can request a replacement by mail, but this takes longer. Call the DHSMV at 850-617-3000 to ask about mail-in replacement options in your situation.

Watch for signs of identity theft in the weeks and months ahead

Even after you report the theft and place a fraud alert, continue checking for suspicious activity. Watch your bank and credit card statements for charges you did not make. Look for bills arriving for accounts you did not open. Check your email for password reset requests or account notifications from companies you do not use.

If you see signs of fraud, contact the affected company when ready and report it. Then file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov. The FTC keeps a record of identity theft complaints and can help you understand what steps to take next.

Identity theft can take months or even years to fully discover. Staying alert during this time is your best defense against larger fraud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone use my stolen Florida license to get a duplicate?

Not if you report it stolen to the DHSMV first. Once flagged in the system, the DHSMV will not issue a duplicate without additional verification. This is why reporting to the DHSMV when ready is so important — it closes off this avenue of fraud before it happens.

Do I need to report the theft to the police if I already reported it to the DHSMV?

Yes. The DHSMV report cancels your license; the police report creates a legal record that protects you if the license is used for fraud. Both reports serve different purposes and both are worth having.

What if I find my stolen license after I already got a replacement?

Destroy it or turn it in to the DHSMV. Do not try to use it — it is no longer valid. If you turn it in, the DHSMV will confirm it has been recovered and update their records.

How long does it take to get a new Florida driver license?

If you visit a driver license office in person, you can receive your new license the same day. If you request a replacement by mail, it typically takes one to two weeks. Call your local office to confirm current wait times.

Will my new license number be different from my old one?

Yes. The DHSMV issues a completely new license number when you report a theft. This new number is what you will use for all identification and driving purposes going forward.