Return it to the DMV or police department in the state where it was issued

A driver license belongs to a specific state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and that's where it needs to go. The fastest route is usually the police department in the city or town where you found it — most departments have a lost-and-found desk and will forward documents to the DMV at no cost to you. If you prefer to go directly to the DMV, look up the office location in the state printed on the license and bring it there in person.

Do not try to contact the license holder yourself or return it to their home address. You don't know the circumstances — the license may have been stolen, the address may be outdated, or the person may not want contact. The official channels protect both you and the license owner.

Key Takeaways

  • Take the license to your local police department's non-emergency desk or directly to the DMV office in the state listed on the license.
  • The police department is often faster because they handle lost documents regularly and forward them to the DMV automatically.
  • Do not attempt to contact the license holder or return it to their address — use official channels instead.
  • If the license is damaged, expired, or you're unsure which state it's from, the police department can still accept it and route it correctly.

Taking it to the police department

Call the non-emergency line for your local police department and ask where to drop off a found driver license. Most departments have a front desk or records section that accepts lost items during business hours. You don't need an appointment — straightforward walk in with the license and hand it to the officer at the desk. They will log it into their system and eventually send it to the DMV.

The police department approach works even if you found the license in a different city or state. They have procedures to forward documents across jurisdictions, so you don't have to figure out which DMV office to contact. This is the least complicated route for most people.

Going directly to the DMV

If you prefer to handle it yourself, find the DMV office in the state printed on the license. You can search online for "[state name] DMV office locations" and choose the branch nearest to you or the one closest to where you found the license. Bring the license in person during their business hours — most DMVs don't accept lost documents by mail.

When you arrive, tell the staff member at the counter that you found a driver license and want to turn it in. They will take it from you and enter it into their lost-and-found system. The DMV will then attempt to contact the license holder to let them know where their license is. You won't need to provide your own information unless you want to — most DMVs don't require it.

What happens after you turn it in

Once the police department or DMV receives the license, they will try to contact the owner using the address on the license. If that address is current, the owner will be notified that their license is available for pickup. If the address is outdated or the contact fails, the license will stay in the lost-and-found for a set period — usually 30 to 90 days depending on the state — before it's destroyed.

You don't need to follow up or check on the status. Your job is done once you've handed it over to an official source. The DMV or police department handles the rest.

Special situations

If the license is damaged, torn, or partially illegible, turn it in anyway. The DMV can still identify the owner from whatever information is visible. If you found a license from another country or a state you're unfamiliar with, your local police department can still accept it — they know how to route international documents or forward out-of-state licenses to the correct DMV.

If you found the license in a public place like a parking lot, store, or restaurant, you can also ask the business if they have a lost-and-found. Some businesses will accept the license and hold it for the owner to claim. This is a reasonable alternative if the business is where the license was lost, though turning it in to police or the DMV is more reliable because those agencies have systems to track and return items.

Why you shouldn't keep it or throw it away

A driver license contains personal information — name, address, date of birth, and sometimes a photo. Throwing it away creates a risk of identity theft if someone else finds it. Keeping it doesn't help the owner and creates liability for you if the license is later used fraudulently. Turning it in to an official source is the safest choice for everyone involved.

If you're concerned about privacy, know that police departments and DMVs handle lost documents securely. They don't share the information with you or use it for anything other than returning the license to its owner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to give my name and contact information when I turn in a found license?

No. Most police departments and DMVs will accept a found license without asking for your information. If they do ask, you can decline — turning in the license is voluntary, and you're not required to identify yourself or provide contact details.

What if the license is from a state I don't live in?

Take it to your local police department anyway. They have procedures to forward out-of-state licenses to the correct DMV. You don't need to figure out which state office to contact or mail it yourself.

Can I mail a found driver license to the DMV instead of going in person?

Most DMVs prefer in-person delivery, but policies vary by state. Call the DMV office listed on the license and ask if they accept lost documents by mail. If they do, they'll give you an address. The police department is usually faster and doesn't require you to pay for postage.

What if I found the license and the person's wallet or purse too?

If you found a wallet or purse with the license inside, take the whole thing to the police department. They can return the entire item to the owner, which is more helpful than just the license alone. The owner may have other cards or documents inside that they need.

How long does it take for the owner to get their license back?

That depends on whether the DMV can reach the owner and how quickly they respond. If the address on the license is current, the owner will be notified within a few days to a week. If they pick it up promptly, the process is fast. If the address is outdated or the owner doesn't respond, the license will eventually be destroyed after the state's retention period ends.