Report the theft to Florida when ready

Call the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) as soon as you realize your license is missing. You can reach them at 1-888-769-2338. Have your driver's license number ready if you know it, along with your date of birth and Social Security number. The DHSMV will flag your license in their system so it cannot be used by someone else.

Reporting by phone is faster than waiting for mail, and it creates a record dated to the day you called. This matters if someone uses your stolen license before you report it — the timestamp shows you reported it promptly. Keep the confirmation number the DHSMV gives you.

Key Takeaways

  • Call the DHSMV at 1-888-769-2338 to report the theft and have your license flagged in their system the same day.
  • File a police report with your local law enforcement agency, which creates a record you can show banks and creditors if the license is misused.
  • Place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to make it harder for someone to open accounts in your name.
  • Order a replacement license from the DHSMV by mail or in person at a local office; bring your Social Security card, proof of residency, and a valid form of ID.
  • Monitor your credit report and bank statements for the next several months to catch any fraudulent activity early.

File a police report with your local agency

Contact your city or county police department and file a report for the stolen license. You do not need to do this in person — many departments allow you to file online or by phone. The police report creates an official record with a case number, which you will need if someone uses your license fraudulently.

Bring the case number with you when you explore for a replacement license. If your stolen license is later used to get a loan, open a credit card, or commit a crime, the police report shows you reported it missing before that happened. This protects you from liability.

Place a fraud alert on your credit file

Contact one of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion — and ask them to place a fraud alert on your file. You only need to call one; that bureau will notify the other two. The fraud alert tells creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name.

A fraud alert lasts one year and is free. It does not prevent you from getting credit yourself, but it slows down anyone trying to use your stolen license to open accounts. After one year, you can renew the alert if you want to keep it in place.

Equifax: 1-888-378-4329 | Experian: 1-888-397-3742 | TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289

Order a replacement license from the DHSMV

You can get a new license by mail or in person at a local DHSMV office. To replace a stolen license, bring your Social Security card, proof of residency (a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days), and a valid form of ID such as a passport or state ID card. If you do not have a Social Security card, bring a W-2 form or tax return instead.

By mail, the process takes about two weeks. In person at an DHSMV office, you can often get a temporary license the same day and receive your permanent license by mail within two weeks. The replacement fee is the same whether you lost or had your license stolen. Check the DHSMV website for your nearest office and current wait times.

Watch your credit report and bank accounts

Check your credit report at least once a month for the next six months. You can view your report free once per year at annualcreditreport.com, which is the official government site. Look for accounts you did not open, inquiries from creditors you did not contact, or addresses that are not yours.

Also review your bank and credit card statements monthly. If you see charges you did not make, contact your bank or card issuer right away. Most banks limit your liability for fraudulent charges if you report them within 60 days, but reporting sooner is better.

Consider a credit freeze if fraud occurs

If someone actually uses your stolen license to open accounts or take out loans, you may want to place a credit freeze with all three bureaus. A freeze prevents creditors from accessing your credit file, which stops most new account fraud. You can place a freeze free of charge, and it lasts until you remove it.

A freeze is more restrictive than a fraud alert — it will slow down your own credit applications too, so you only need it if fraud has already happened. If you place a freeze, you will need to temporarily lift it whenever you want to explore for credit yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone use my stolen Florida license to vote or get a job?

A stolen license can be used to attempt voter registration or to pose as you on a job process, though both are less common than credit fraud. Report the theft to your local election office as well if you are concerned. For employment, most employers verify identity documents, so a stolen license alone is usually caught during background checks.

What if my stolen license is used to get a loan?

Contact the lender when ready with your police report number and explain that the license was stolen. You are not responsible for loans taken out fraudulently in your name, but you will need to prove the theft. The police report and DHSMV report both serve as proof.

How long does it take to get a replacement license?

By mail, expect two weeks. In person at an DHSMV office, you can get a temporary license the same day and the permanent license by mail within two weeks. Times vary by office and season, so check the DHSMV website for your location.

Do I have to pay a fee to replace a stolen license?

Yes, the replacement fee is the same as renewing a license. The fee varies by license type and length of validity. Check the DHSMV website or call 1-888-769-2338 for the current fee.

What if I find my stolen license after I report it?

Contact the DHSMV and let them know it was found. They can remove the flag from your account. If you have already ordered a replacement, you can still use the new one — the old one will no longer work once the replacement is issued.