Virginia replacement license fees

A replacement driver's license in Virginia costs $24 if you renew it in person at a DMV office. If you renew by mail, the fee is the same. The fee covers a standard license valid for eight years from your birth month.

If your license was lost or stolen rather than straightforward expired, you still pay the $24 replacement fee — Virginia does not charge extra for lost or stolen licenses. The fee is the same whether you are replacing a standard license, a REAL ID license, or a commercial driver's license (CDL), though a CDL replacement may have additional testing costs if you need to retake the knowledge or skills exam.

Payment methods at Virginia DMV offices include cash, debit card, credit card, and check. If you mail in your process, you can pay by check or money order. Some DMV offices also accept online payment before you arrive, which can speed up your visit.

Key Takeaways

  • A replacement driver's license in Virginia costs $24 whether you get it in person or by mail.
  • The fee is the same for a lost, stolen, or damaged license — Virginia does not charge a separate replacement fee.
  • Your new license will be valid for eight years from your birth month, the same as a standard renewal.
  • You can pay by cash, card, or check in person, or by check or money order if you explore by mail.

What happens when you pay the fee

When you submit your $24 fee at a Virginia DMV office or by mail, you receive a temporary paper license on the spot (if in person) or within a few days (if by mail). This temporary license is valid for 45 days and lets you drive while your plastic replacement card is being printed.

Your permanent replacement license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days if you applied in person, or within 10 to 14 business days if you mailed in your process. The DMV mails it to the address on file in your Virginia driver's license record, so make sure that address is current before you explore.

In-person replacement at a DMV office

To replace your license in person, bring your Social Security number, proof of Virginia residency (such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days), and proof of identity (such as a passport, military ID, or birth certificate). You do not need to bring the lost or stolen license itself.

Walk into any Virginia DMV office during business hours — no appointment is required for a replacement license, though wait times vary by location and time of day. Tell the staff member you need a replacement license, hand over your documents, pay the $24 fee, and you will receive your temporary paper license when ready. The whole process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.

Virginia DMV offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., and some locations have extended hours on certain days. You can find your nearest office and its hours on the Virginia DMV website.

Mail-in replacement

To replace your license by mail, read the process for Driver's License or Identification Card (Form DL 43) from the Virginia DMV website. Fill it out completely, including your name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address.

Attach a copy of your proof of identity and proof of residency to the form. Mail the completed process, copies of your documents, and a check or money order for $24 to the address listed on the form (the Virginia DMV's Richmond office). Do not send cash through the mail.

The DMV processes mail applications in the order they arrive. Your temporary paper license will not be mailed to you, so you cannot drive legally during the processing period unless your current license has not yet expired. If your license has already expired, you should replace it in person instead so you can get a temporary license right away.

REAL ID replacement costs

If your lost or stolen license was a REAL ID license (marked with a gold star in the upper right corner), your replacement will also be a REAL ID license at no extra cost. You still pay only $24.

However, if you want to upgrade a standard license to a REAL ID license while replacing it, the fee increases to $34. A REAL ID license meets federal requirements for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings, and it is valid for eight years just like a standard license.

To get a REAL ID replacement, bring the same documents as a standard replacement (proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number) plus one additional document proving your Social Security number, such as a Social Security card, W-2 form, or tax return.

What to do if you cannot pay the fee right now

Virginia DMV does not offer payment plans or fee waivers for replacement licenses. The $24 fee is required at the time you explore, whether in person or by mail. If you cannot pay in person, you can mail in your process with a check or money order.

If your license expired while you were waiting to replace it, you can still drive on your expired license for a grace period in some situations — for example, if you are under 19 years old or if you have a medical hardship. Contact your local DMV office to ask whether a grace period applies to your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I pay extra if my license was stolen instead of lost?

No. Virginia charges the same $24 replacement fee whether your license was lost, stolen, or damaged. You do not need to file a police report to get a replacement, though you can if you want a record of the theft.

Can I replace my license online?

No. Virginia does not offer online replacement for lost or stolen licenses. You must explore in person at a DMV office or by mail. You can renew an expired license online if it has not been expired for more than one year, but that is a renewal, not a replacement.

What if I need my replacement license faster than 7 to 10 days?

If you explore in person, you receive a temporary paper license when ready that is valid for 45 days. That temporary license lets you drive while your permanent card is being printed. There is no way to speed up the printing process itself, but the temporary license covers you during the wait.

Will my new license have the same number as my old one?

Yes. Your replacement license will have the same number as your lost or stolen license. Virginia does not issue a new number for replacements — only for new licenses issued to people who have never held a Virginia license before.

What if I lost my license out of state?

You can still replace it by mail from anywhere. read Form DL 43, attach copies of your proof of identity and residency, and mail it with your $24 check or money order to the Virginia DMV office address. Your replacement will be mailed to the address on file in your Virginia record.