Return it to the person or the DMV as quickly as possible
If you find a driver's license, your best option depends on whether you can contact the owner directly. If the license has a phone number, email, or social media handle you can identify, reach out to that person when ready — most people are relieved to hear their ID has been found and will arrange to pick it up or ask you to mail it.
If you cannot contact the owner, take the license to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. Every state has a process for turning in found IDs, and the DMV will attempt to return it to the owner. Some states also accept found licenses at local police departments or highway patrol offices, which can be faster than waiting for DMV hours.
Do not throw the license away or leave it where you found it. An ID in the wrong hands can be used for fraud, and a lost license causes the owner real problems — they cannot board flights, rent cars, or prove their age until they replace it.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the license holder directly if their phone number or email is visible on the ID or if you can find them through social media.
- If you cannot reach the owner, take the license to your state's DMV office, which has a lost-and-found system for returned IDs.
- Some states allow you to turn in found licenses at local police departments or highway patrol offices instead of the DMV.
- Never discard a found license or leave it unattended, as it can be used for identity theft or fraud.
How to contact the license holder directly
Look at the front and back of the license for any contact information. Modern licenses often include a phone number, email address, or emergency contact. If you see a phone number, call and explain that you found their ID — most people will respond quickly and may offer to meet you or pay for shipping.
If the license does not list contact details, try searching for the person's name on social media platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn. Many people list their city or workplace, which can help you confirm you have the right person. Send them a direct message explaining what you found. This method works especially well if the person's name is uncommon or if they live in a small town.
If you work at a business or attend a school and recognize the person, ask a coworker or classmate whether they know how to reach them. Personal connection is often the fastest route.
Taking a found license to the DMV
Visit your state's DMV office during business hours and explain that you found a driver's license. You do not need to make an appointment — most DMVs have a window or counter specifically for turning in lost IDs. Hand the license to the staff member and provide your name and contact information if they ask. The DMV will then mail the license back to the address on file, or contact the owner to let them know it has been found.
Processing time varies by state. Some DMVs return found licenses within a few days; others may take one to two weeks. The owner will receive a notice that their ID is at the DMV and can pick it up in person or request it be mailed to them.
If you live in a rural area far from the nearest DMV, you can mail the license directly to your state's DMV headquarters. Look up your state's DMV website and find the mailing address for lost and found items. Include a brief note with your name and the date you found it, then send it via regular mail. This takes longer but still gets the ID back to the owner.
Turning in a license at a police station or highway patrol office
Many states allow you to turn in found driver's licenses at local police departments or state highway patrol offices. This can be faster than visiting the DMV, especially if a police station is closer to you. Walk in during business hours, explain that you found a license, and hand it to the officer at the front desk. They will log it into their lost-and-found system and either contact the owner or forward it to the DMV.
Not every police department accepts found IDs — policies vary by jurisdiction. Call ahead if you want to confirm before making the trip. Highway patrol offices, which handle traffic-related matters, are more likely to accept found licenses than general police departments.
What not to do with a found license
Do not keep the license, even temporarily, with the intention of returning it later. The longer an ID is missing, the more problems it causes the owner — they may cancel it as lost, which means you cannot return it even if you find them. They may also worry it will be used for fraud.
Do not post the license on social media or community groups with the person's full name and photo visible. This puts their personal information at risk and can attract scammers. If you use social media to find someone, send them a private message instead of posting publicly.
Do not attempt to use the license yourself or give it to someone else. Driver's licenses are government-issued ID, and using someone else's is illegal. If you find a license and do nothing with it, you are allowing someone else to potentially use it for fraud.
If the license is damaged or very old
A damaged, expired, or very old license still belongs to someone and should still be returned. Even if the license expired years ago, the person may want it back for sentimental reasons or to use as a form of ID in certain situations. The DMV will still process it and attempt to return it to the owner.
If the license is so damaged that the name and address are illegible, take it to the DMV anyway. Staff can often read information that looks unclear to you, or they can cross-reference the license number with their database.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mail a found license directly to the person's address?
You can, but it is risky — the person may have moved, and mail can be lost or delayed. The DMV is a safer route because they have the person's current address on file and can confirm delivery. If you do mail it, use tracked mail and include a note with your contact information.
What if the license has no address or the address is illegible?
Take it to the DMV. They can look up the person using the license number and find their current address. The DMV database is more complete than what appears on the physical card.
Do I need to provide my ID when I turn in a found license?
Most DMVs do not require your ID, but they may ask for your name and phone number so they can contact you if the owner wants to thank you or if there are questions. Policies vary by state, so call ahead if you want to confirm.
What if I found a license from another state?
You can still return it. Contact that state's DMV office or mail it to their headquarters. Most states have reciprocal agreements and will process found licenses from other states. Look up the other state's DMV website to find the mailing address.
Is there a reward for returning a found license?
Some people offer rewards, but it is not common or expected. Return the license because it is the right thing to do. If the owner wants to offer you a reward, that is their choice, but never ask for one or make it a condition of returning their ID.