Report the loss to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

When you lose your Florida driver's license, your first step is to report it to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). You can do this online, by phone, or in person. Reporting it right away protects you because a lost license can be used for identity theft or fraud.

To report online, go to the DHSMV website and use their lost or stolen license report form. You'll need your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you report online, you'll get a confirmation number when ready. By phone, call the DHSMV at 1-844-DL-FORMS (1-844-353-6737) and follow the prompts for a lost license report.

If you prefer to report in person, visit any Florida Driver License office. You can find the office nearest you on the DHSMV website by entering your county or ZIP code. Reporting in person takes about 15 minutes and you can often handle your replacement at the same visit.

Key Takeaways

  • Report your lost license to the DHSMV online, by phone, or in person as soon as you notice it's missing.
  • You can get a replacement license the same day you report the loss if you visit a Driver License office in person.
  • A replacement license costs $25 and you'll need to bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number.
  • If your license was lost outside Florida, you may need to file a report with that state's motor vehicle agency as well.
  • A temporary driving permit is available when ready at the Driver License office while you wait for your replacement to arrive by mail.

Get a replacement license in person at a Driver License office

The fastest way to replace a lost Florida driver's license is to visit a Driver License office in person. You can walk out with a temporary permit the same day and your permanent replacement will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. This route takes about 30 to 45 minutes total, depending on how busy the office is.

Bring these documents with you: a valid form of ID (passport, military ID, or state ID), proof that you live in Florida (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days), and your Social Security number. You do not need to have reported the loss beforehand — the office staff will do that as part of the replacement process. The replacement fee is $25.

When you arrive, take a number and wait to be called. Tell the clerk you need to replace a lost license. They will verify your information, take a new photo, and print your temporary permit on the spot. This temporary permit is valid for 30 days and works anywhere a regular license does. Your permanent license will be mailed to the address on file.

Order a replacement by mail if you cannot visit an office

If you cannot get to a Driver License office, you can order a replacement by mail. Go to the DHSMV website, select "Replace a Lost or Stolen License," and complete the online form. You'll need your driver's license number, date of birth, and Social Security number. The fee is $25 and you can pay by credit card or debit card online.

After you submit the form and payment, your replacement license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You will not receive a temporary permit with this method, so you cannot drive legally until the new license arrives. If you need to drive before then, you must visit a Driver License office in person to get a temporary permit.

Keep the confirmation number from your online order. If your replacement does not arrive within two weeks, use that number to check the status on the DHSMV website or call 1-844-DL-FORMS.

What to do if you need to drive before your replacement arrives

If you ordered your replacement by mail and need to drive before it arrives, go to any Driver License office and ask for a temporary driving permit. Bring the same documents you would need for an in-person replacement: valid ID, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. The temporary permit is issued when ready and costs $25 (in addition to the replacement fee you already paid online).

A temporary permit is valid for 30 days. If your permanent replacement has not arrived by then, you can get another temporary permit by visiting a Driver License office again. Each temporary permit costs $25.

If you lost your license while traveling outside Florida, you can use your Social Security card or passport as ID to drive in most states while you wait for your replacement. Check the rules for the state you are in, because some states have different rules for out-of-state drivers without a license.

Protect yourself from identity theft after losing your license

A lost driver's license contains your name, address, date of birth, and license number — information that can be used to open accounts or commit fraud in your name. After you report the loss, monitor your credit for suspicious activity. You can check your credit report for free once a year at annualcreditreport.com, which is the official site run by the three major credit bureaus.

Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file. This tells lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name. You can set up a fraud alert by calling one of the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) — you only need to call one and they will notify the others. A fraud alert lasts one year and is free.

If you see accounts or charges you did not make, contact the creditor and your bank right away. Report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov, which creates a recovery plan and sends notices to creditors on your behalf.

Handle a lost license if you have unpaid traffic tickets or fines

If you have unpaid traffic tickets or court fines in Florida, the DHSMV may suspend your license. When you try to replace a lost license, the system will flag any suspensions on your record. You will not be able to get a replacement until the suspension is cleared.

If this happens, contact the court that issued the ticket or fine. You can find the correct court by searching the Florida court system website by county. Ask the court clerk what you owe and how to pay. Once you pay or set up a payment plan, the court will notify the DHSMV and your suspension will be lifted within one to two business days. Then you can return to the Driver License office to get your replacement.

If you are unsure whether you have any suspensions, call the DHSMV at 1-844-DL-FORMS and provide your driver's license number and date of birth. They will tell you whether your record is clear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my temporary permit to drive out of state?

Yes. A Florida temporary driving permit is valid in all 50 states and works the same way as a regular license. You can drive anywhere with it during the 30-day validity period. Carry it with you at all times while driving, along with proof that you ordered a replacement (your confirmation number or receipt).

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

Contact the DHSMV and tell them you found your original license. They will deactivate it so it cannot be used. You do not need to return the original — just report that you found it. Your new replacement license will remain active and valid.

How much does it cost to replace a lost Florida driver's license?

A replacement license costs $25 whether you order it online or get it in person. If you need a temporary permit while you wait, each temporary permit also costs $25. So if you order by mail and then need a temporary permit, your total cost is $50.

What if I lost my license in another state?

Report the loss to the DHSMV in Florida using the methods described above. You should also report it to the motor vehicle agency in the state where you lost it, because they may have found it and need to return it. Check that state's DMV website for their lost license report process. Your Florida replacement will be mailed to your Florida address regardless of where you lost it.

How long does it take to get a replacement license by mail?

Your replacement license will arrive within 7 to 10 business days after you submit your order online. This does not include weekends or state holidays. If it does not arrive within two weeks, contact the DHSMV with your confirmation number to check the status.