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 identify and contact the owner directly. If the license has a phone number, email, or social media handle you can verify, contact the person when ready — most people will be relieved and grateful. If you cannot reach the owner or do not feel safe doing so, take the license to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles office, your local police station, or the issuing state's DMV if it was issued elsewhere.
Do not keep the license, throw it away, or leave it where you found it. A lost driver's license creates real problems for the owner: they cannot board a plane, rent a car, open a bank account, or prove their identity if stopped by police. The longer it sits, the more time someone else has to find it and use it for fraud.
The fastest path is usually the DMV office nearest to you. Most state DMVs have a lost-and-found process and can contact the owner directly. Some accept licenses by mail if you include a note with where and when you found it. A few states now allow you to photograph the license and submit it through their website, though this varies by state.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the license holder directly if you can identify them safely — call, text, email, or message them through social media with your name and location.
- If you cannot reach the owner, take the license to your nearest DMV office, which has a lost-and-found system and can notify the person.
- Police stations and sheriff's offices also accept found licenses and will log them for the owner to retrieve.
- Never keep a found license, destroy it, or leave it in the location where you found it — these actions delay the owner's ability to replace it and increase the risk of identity theft.
- Some states allow you to mail the license to the DMV or submit it online; check your state's DMV website for the fastest method.
Contacting the license holder directly
If the license includes a phone number or email address, call or message the person and identify yourself clearly. Say something like: "Hi, I found your driver's license at [location] today. I wanted to make sure you knew so you could cancel it if needed or arrange to pick it up." Give them your name, phone number, and a safe time and place to meet if they want to retrieve it in person.
If the license does not include contact information but you recognize the person's name or face, search for them on social media or ask people in your community if they know them. Many people post about lost IDs on neighborhood Facebook groups or Nextdoor, so you might find them that way. If you do reach out through social media, verify it is the right person by asking a question only they would know the answer to — for example, "What street is that photo taken on?" — before you meet.
If you meet the person to return the license, do so in a public place during daylight. Do not invite them to your home or go to theirs. If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, skip the direct return and use the DMV or police instead.
Taking it to the DMV
Walk into any DMV office in your state with the license and tell the staff member at the counter that you found it. They will take it, log it in their lost-and-found system, and contact the owner to let them know where to pick it up. This usually takes one to three business days. The owner can then go to that DMV office or sometimes request it be mailed to them, depending on your state's policy.
If you want to mail the license instead of going in person, check your state's DMV website for the mailing address and any instructions. Include a brief note with the date and location where you found it. Use a tracked mailing method so you know it arrived. Some states have a specific form to fill out; others just ask for a note.
A few states now allow you to photograph the license and submit it through their website or mobile app. Check your state DMV's website under "lost and found" or "found ID" to see if this option is available. This is the fastest method if your state offers it, since the owner can be notified within hours.
Reporting it to police
You can also take a found driver's license to your local police station or sheriff's office. Tell the officer at the front desk that you found it and want to turn it in. They will log it and may contact the owner or keep it for them to retrieve. This works well if the DMV office is far away or closed when you find the license.
Police will not investigate or pursue the matter further — they straightforward accept it and hold it. The owner will need to contact the police station to ask if their license has been turned in. This method is slower than going directly to the DMV, but it is a valid option if that is more convenient for you.
What not to do with a found license
Do not keep the license as a souvenir or for any reason. Do not throw it in the trash or recycling bin. Do not leave it on a table or counter where you found it, hoping the owner will retrace their steps — they may not, and someone else might find it first and use it fraudulently.
Do not attempt to use the license yourself, even as a joke or to verify information. Do not post a photo of the license on social media without the owner's permission, as this exposes their personal information and photo to strangers. Do not try to sell it or trade it for anything.
Do not mail it to an address listed on the license without first confirming with the DMV or police that this is safe. Addresses on licenses can be outdated, and mailing it directly could result in it being lost again or intercepted by someone else at that address.
If the license is damaged or old
If the license is torn, water-damaged, or so old that the address or photo is clearly outdated, the DMV is still your best option. Staff can verify the person's current information in their system and contact them. A damaged license is still valid identification until the owner replaces it, so returning it matters even if it is not in perfect condition.
If the license expired years ago, it is still worth returning. The person may want it for sentimental reasons, or they may need to report it as lost for their records. The DMV can still use it to identify the person and notify them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I find a license from another state?
Take it to your nearest DMV office anyway — they can contact the other state's DMV or mail it to the correct state. Alternatively, you can mail it directly to the issuing state's DMV address, which you can find on that state's DMV website. Include a note with where and when you found it.
Can I get a reward for returning a license?
Some people offer rewards for found IDs, but this is not may provide. If the owner offers you money or a reward when you return it, you can accept it, but do not expect one. Return the license because it is the right thing to do and because the owner needs it.
What if the license has someone else's name but the photo looks like a different person?
This could indicate a fake ID, a stolen ID, or an error. Do not try to investigate or confront anyone. Take it to the police station instead of the DMV. Police can determine whether it is fraudulent and take appropriate action.
Do I need to provide my name and contact information when I turn in a license?
Most DMV offices and police stations do not require your name or contact information to accept a found license. If they ask, you can provide it, but it is not mandatory. The DMV will contact the owner without needing to involve you further.
What if I find a license but I am not sure where the person lives?
The address on the license is a starting point, but it may be outdated. The DMV has the person's current address in their system, so taking the license to the DMV is better than trying to mail it yourself. The DMV will use their records to contact the owner at their correct address.