Virginia DMV replaces lost or damaged licenses by mail or in person
Virginia's Department of Motor Vehicles will issue you a replacement license if yours is lost, stolen, or damaged. You can request one through the mail using Form DL-44, or you can visit a DMV office in person. The mail route takes about 7 to 10 business days after the DMV receives your request; in-person replacement is faster but requires a trip to a local office during business hours.
You do not need to retake the written or vision test for a replacement license — the DMV treats this as a reissue of your existing credential, not a new license process. Your license number, class, and restrictions stay the same. The main cost is the replacement fee, which Virginia charges for lost or damaged licenses.
Key Takeaways
- Mail replacement uses Form DL-44 and takes 7 to 10 business days; in-person replacement at a DMV office is faster but requires an appointment or walk-in visit during office hours.
- You must prove your identity with documents like a passport, birth certificate, or Social Security card, and prove your Virginia residency with a utility bill or lease.
- The replacement fee is $24 for a standard license; you can pay by check, money order, or credit card by mail, or by card or cash in person.
- If your license was stolen, you may want to report it to local police and request a police report number to include with your process for fraud protection.
- Virginia will mail your replacement license to the address on file; if you have moved, update your address before requesting the replacement or the license will go to your old location.
Mailing in your replacement request with Form DL-44
The mail-in route starts with Form DL-44, the process for Virginia Driver's License or Permit. You can read it from the Virginia DMV website or pick one up at any DMV office. Fill in your name, date of birth, current address, and the reason for replacement (lost or damaged). Sign and date the form.
Attach a copy of your identity document — a valid passport, birth certificate, Social Security card, or military ID. You also need proof of Virginia residency: a utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement, or tax return dated within the last 60 days, with your name and current address. Include a check or money order for $24 payable to the Virginia DMV. Mail the complete packet to the address listed on the form.
The DMV processes mail requests in the order received. Once they receive your envelope, processing typically takes 7 to 10 business days. Your replacement license will be mailed to the address you listed on the form. If you need it faster, do not use the mail route.
Replacing your license in person at a DMV office
Walk into any Virginia DMV office with your identity and residency documents, and you can often leave with a replacement license the same day. Some offices accept walk-ins; others require an appointment. Check the DMV website for your nearest office's hours and whether it takes appointments or walk-ins, because policies vary by location.
Bring the same documents you would mail: a valid passport, birth certificate, Social Security card, or military ID for identity, and a utility bill, lease, bank statement, or recent tax return for residency proof. Bring your $24 fee in cash or card — most offices accept both. You do not need to bring Form DL-44; the DMV staff will complete the paperwork with you.
The in-person process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes from check-in to photo and signature. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 45 days while your permanent license is printed and mailed to your address on file. If your address has changed since your last license, tell the DMV staff before they process your request, or your new license will go to the old address.
Identity and residency documents the DMV will accept
Virginia requires one document proving who you are and one proving where you live. For identity, the DMV accepts a current or expired U.S. passport, an original or certified birth certificate, a Social Security card, a military ID, or a state ID from another state. The document must show your name and date of birth.
For residency, bring a document dated within the last 60 days showing your name and current Virginia address: a utility bill (electric, gas, water, or phone), a lease or rental agreement, a bank or credit card statement, a property tax bill, a homeowner's or renter's insurance policy, or a recent tax return. A post office change-of-address form does not count as residency proof.
If you do not have these documents, the DMV has a list of alternative documents on its website. Some alternatives require multiple documents together — for example, if you have no birth certificate, you may need to bring a combination of school records, medical records, and a notarized affidavit. Call your local DMV office before you visit if you are unsure whether your documents will work.
The $24 replacement fee and payment options
Virginia charges $24 to replace a lost or damaged driver's license. This is a flat fee regardless of whether you explore by mail or in person. If you are mailing your request, include a check or money order made out to the Virginia DMV. Do not send cash by mail.
If you are visiting a DMV office in person, you can pay with cash, debit card, or credit card. Some offices may accept checks, but calling ahead to confirm is safer. The fee is non-refundable even if the DMV denies your request for any reason, though denial is rare for a straightforward replacement.
What to do if your license was stolen
If your license was stolen rather than straightforward lost, consider filing a police report with your local police department. A police report creates an official record that your license was taken without your consent, which can help protect you if someone tries to use it fraudulently. Ask the police for a report number or a copy of the report.
Include the police report number or a copy with your replacement process — either in the envelope if you are mailing it, or show it to the DMV staff if you are explore in person. This alerts the DMV that the original license may be in someone else's hands. The DMV does not cancel the old license, but the police report creates a paper trail if the license is used in your name for fraud.
You should also consider placing a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) if you are concerned about identity theft. A fraud alert tells creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name. This is separate from the DMV process but worth doing if your license contained sensitive information.
Updating your address before or after replacement
Your replacement license will be mailed to the address currently on file with the DMV. If you have moved since your last license was issued, update your address before you request the replacement, or your new license will arrive at your old address and you will have to request it again.
You can update your address online through the Virginia DMV website, by mail using Form DL-43, or in person at any DMV office. The online change takes effect when ready. If you update your address at the same time you request your replacement, do the address change first, then submit your replacement request a day or two later to make sure the new address is in the system.
If your replacement license was already mailed to your old address and you no longer live there, contact the current resident or the property manager and ask them to forward it to you, or return it to the DMV. You can also visit a DMV office and request that a new replacement be mailed to your correct address, though this will cost another $24 fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a replacement license in the mail?
The DMV typically processes mail requests within 7 to 10 business days after receiving your envelope. Mailing time to the DMV and back to you is not included in that estimate, so plan for 2 to 3 weeks total from the time you drop your envelope in the mail. If you need your license sooner, visit a DMV office in person and request a temporary paper license.
Can I get a replacement license if I do not have a birth certificate?
Yes. The DMV accepts other identity documents like a passport, Social Security card, or military ID. If you have none of those, the DMV website lists alternative documents and combinations that work. Call your local office to confirm your specific documents before you visit or mail them in.
What if I moved and my replacement license went to my old address?
Contact the person or property manager at your old address and ask them to forward it or return it to you. If that is not possible, visit a DMV office with proof of your new address and request a replacement mailed to your current location. You will pay the $24 fee again.
Do I need to retake the written test or vision test for a replacement?
No. A replacement license is a reissue of your existing license, not a new process. You keep your same license number, class, and restrictions. You do not take any tests.
What if my license was damaged but not lost — can I still get a replacement?
Yes. Virginia replaces damaged licenses the same way as lost ones. Bring or mail the damaged license along with your process if possible, so the DMV can see the damage, though it is not required. The process and fee are identical.