Virginia replaces lost licenses through the Department of Motor Vehicles, either in person at a local office or by mail

Virginia's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) handles all driver's license replacements. You can replace a lost, stolen, or damaged license by visiting a DMV office in person or by mailing a completed form and payment to the state office. The in-person route is faster — most people walk out with a temporary license the same day — but the mail route works if you cannot reach an office. Either way, you will need your Social Security number, proof of Virginia residency, and the replacement fee.

Virginia distinguishes between a duplicate license (a replacement of your current license with the same number and expiration date) and a new license (issued when your old one expires or you change information). A lost or damaged license is treated as a duplicate, which costs less and processes faster than a full renewal.

Key Takeaways

  • In-person replacement at a DMV office takes about 15 to 30 minutes and you receive a temporary paper license when ready; your plastic card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
  • Mail-in replacement requires Form DL-44, a check or money order, and proof of residency, and takes 2 to 3 weeks from the time the DMV receives your packet.
  • You must bring your Social Security number (written down or memorized) and one document proving your current Virginia address, such as a utility bill or lease.
  • The replacement fee is the same whether you go in person or by mail; Virginia does not charge extra for expedited processing.
  • If your license was stolen, you may report it to the DMV at the time of replacement, which flags it in the system but does not require a separate police report.

Replacing your license in person at a DMV office

Walk into any Virginia DMV office with your Social Security number and one proof of current address. Bring your old license if you still have it, though it is not required. The staff will verify your identity, take a new photo, and print a temporary paper license on the spot. This temporary license is valid for 45 days and works for driving, voting, or any other purpose that requires a license.

Your permanent plastic license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. The DMV mails it to the address on file, so make sure the address you provide matches where you actually receive mail. If you have moved since your last license was issued, update your address before you leave the office.

Virginia DMV offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., with some locations open Saturday mornings. You do not need an appointment for a replacement, but wait times vary by location and time of day. The busiest times are typically mid-morning and mid-afternoon on weekdays. You can find your nearest office and current wait times on the Virginia DMV website.

Replacing your license by mail

read or request Form DL-44 (process for Virginia Driver's License) from the Virginia DMV website or by calling 804-367-0538. Complete the form in black or blue ink, sign it, and include a check or money order for the replacement fee payable to the "Treasurer of Virginia." Attach one document proving your current Virginia address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days all work.

Mail the completed packet to the address listed on the form: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 27412, Richmond, VA 23269. The DMV will process your replacement and mail your new license to the address you provide on the form. This route takes 2 to 3 weeks from the day the DMV receives your packet, not counting mail delivery time in either direction.

The mail-in route is useful if you cannot reach a DMV office during business hours or live far from the nearest location. However, you will not receive a temporary license by mail, so you cannot drive legally until your permanent license arrives. If you need to drive before then, you must visit an office in person to get the temporary paper license.

What documents and information you need

Bring or include your Social Security number — write it down if you are worried about forgetting it, but do not mail a Social Security card itself. You also need one document proving you live in Virginia right now. The DMV accepts utility bills, lease agreements, mortgage statements, bank statements, insurance policies, and government mail addressed to you. The document must show your current address and be dated within the last 60 days. A post office change-of-address form does not count as proof of residency.

If you are replacing a license that was stolen, you can tell the DMV at the time of replacement. They will flag the old license number in their system so it cannot be used fraudulently. You do not need a police report to do this, though you may file one separately if you choose.

If your license was damaged but still readable, bring it with you. The DMV will take it and issue a replacement. If it is too damaged to read, you can still replace it — just explain the damage to the staff or note it on the form.

Fees and payment methods

Virginia charges a flat fee for a duplicate driver's license replacement. The exact amount depends on how long your current license is valid for, but it is typically between $20 and $30. If you are replacing a license that expired more than one year ago, you will pay a renewal fee instead of a replacement fee, which is higher.

At a DMV office, you can pay with cash, debit card, or credit card. By mail, you must send a check or money order — the DMV does not accept credit cards through the mail. Make the check or money order payable to "Treasurer of Virginia." Do not send cash by mail.

Timeline: when your new license arrives

If you replace your license in person, you leave with a temporary paper license valid for 45 days. Your permanent plastic license is mailed to you and typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days, though mail delivery can add a few days on either end. If you do not receive it within two weeks, contact the DMV to check the status.

If you replace by mail, the DMV processes your form and mails your new license once they receive and verify your packet. This takes 2 to 3 weeks from receipt, plus mail delivery time. The total time from when you drop your envelope in the mail to when your new license arrives is usually 3 to 4 weeks.

If you need to drive before your permanent license arrives and you did not get a temporary license in person, you have no legal option to drive. This is why the in-person route is strongly preferred if you need your license right away.

If your license information has changed

A replacement keeps your license number and expiration date the same. If you have changed your name, address, or other information since your license was issued, you can update it at the time of replacement. Tell the DMV staff in person, or note the changes on Form DL-44 if you are mailing. There is no extra fee to update your address or name during a replacement.

If you have changed your address, the DMV will mail your new license to the updated address you provide. Make sure you give them the address where you actually receive mail, not a temporary address or a work address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace my license if it expired more than a year ago?

Yes, but the DMV will treat it as a renewal rather than a replacement, which costs more and may require you to retake the vision test. If your license expired less than one year ago, you can replace it at the lower replacement fee. Contact the DMV or check your license to see the expiration date.

What if I lost my license out of state?

You can still replace it by mail or in person at any Virginia DMV office. You do not need to be in Virginia to request a replacement. If you are out of state and need to drive before your new license arrives, you may be able to get a temporary license by visiting a Virginia DMV office in person, but this is not possible by mail.

Do I need a police report to replace a stolen license?

No. You can report the theft to the DMV at the time of replacement, and they will flag the old license number in their system. Filing a police report is optional and does not affect the replacement process, but you may want to file one if you are concerned about identity theft.

How long is the temporary paper license valid?

The temporary license issued in person is valid for 45 days. Your permanent plastic license should arrive by mail before then. If it does not, contact the DMV to check the status of your replacement.

Can I replace my license online?

Virginia does not offer online replacement for lost or damaged licenses. You must go in person or mail a form and payment. The DMV website has a form you can read and print, but you cannot submit it electronically.