Where to go and what to bring
You replace a driver's license at the same place you would renew one: your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Secretary of State office, or equivalent agency. Some states let you do this by mail or online if your license is only damaged; most require you to appear in person if it is lost or stolen.
Bring your Social Security number, proof of identity (a passport, birth certificate, or state ID), and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If your license was stolen, bring a police report or the report number. If it is damaged, bring the physical card.
The fee for a replacement is typically $15 to $50 depending on your state and whether you want a standard or expedited card. Some states charge less for a damaged license than for a lost one, since you are not replacing a document that left your control.
Key Takeaways
- You must go to your state DMV or equivalent office in person unless your license is only damaged and your state offers a mail or online replacement option.
- Bring proof of identity, proof of address, your Social Security number, and a police report if your license was stolen.
- A replacement license costs $15 to $50 and usually arrives within one to two weeks; expedited options may cost more and arrive in three to five business days.
- If you need to drive before your replacement arrives, ask the DMV for a temporary paper license or permit on the day you explore.
- Your replacement will have the same number and expiration date as your original license unless your state requires a new photo or you request a change.
Getting a temporary license to drive while you wait
Most states issue a temporary paper license or driving permit on the same day you explore for a replacement. This temporary document is valid for 30 to 90 days and lets you drive legally while your replacement card is being printed and mailed.
Ask for the temporary license when you submit your replacement process. You do not need to request it separately or pay an extra fee. The DMV staff will give it to you before you leave the office. Keep it with you whenever you drive, since a police officer can ask to see it just as they would your regular license.
If you lose the temporary license before your replacement arrives, return to the DMV and ask for another one. Most states will issue a second temporary at no charge, though a few may charge a small fee.
Replacement timelines and expedited options
Standard replacement licenses arrive by mail within one to two weeks in most states. Some states are faster—California and Texas typically deliver within 7 to 10 days—while others take up to three weeks. Check your state DMV website for the current processing time, since it varies by season and workload.
If you need your license sooner, many states offer expedited replacement for an additional fee, usually $10 to $25 on top of the standard replacement cost. Expedited licenses arrive in three to five business days. A few states also let you pick up your replacement in person at a DMV office instead of waiting for mail delivery, though this is less common and may require a return visit within a week or two.
Some states allow you to order a replacement online if your license is damaged but not lost or stolen. Online replacement is usually faster than in-person replacement and may cost less, since you avoid a trip to the DMV.
What happens if your license was stolen
If your license was stolen, bring a police report or the report number when you explore for a replacement. You do not need the full written report—the DMV only needs the report number to verify that you filed one. If you have not filed a report yet, do that first at your local police station or online through your police department's website.
Some states flag stolen licenses in their system to prevent someone else from using your number fraudulently. This does not affect your replacement process, but it does mean your old license number is no longer valid even if someone finds it. Your replacement will have the same number as your original license.
If you are concerned about identity theft beyond the lost license, consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). A driver's license alone is not enough to open a bank account or take out a loan, but it can be used as supporting ID for other fraudulent purposes.
Replacing a license with a different name or address
If your name or address has changed since your original license was issued, you can update it during the replacement process. Bring proof of the change: a marriage certificate or court order for a name change, or a utility bill or lease for an address change.
Some states let you update your address online or by mail before you explore for the replacement, which speeds up the process. Others require you to update it in person at the DMV. Check your state's website to see which option is available.
If you update your address during replacement, your new license will show the new address. If you update your name, your new license will show the new name. Either change may require a new photo, depending on your state's rules.
Replacing a license that is damaged or unreadable
If your license is worn, faded, cracked, or otherwise damaged but still in your possession, you can replace it without a police report. Bring the damaged card with you to the DMV, or mail it along with your process if your state offers mail-in replacement for damaged licenses.
Damaged-license replacement is usually cheaper than lost-license replacement—often $10 to $20 instead of $25 to $50—because you are not replacing a document that left your control. Processing time is the same as a standard replacement, though some states prioritize damaged licenses slightly.
If your license is so damaged that the DMV cannot read your name or number, bring additional proof of identity. A passport, birth certificate, or state ID will work. The DMV will not accept a damaged license as your only form of ID in this case.
Replacing a license you never received
If you applied for a renewal or replacement and the card never arrived in the mail, contact your state DMV before you go in person. They can check whether the card was mailed, whether it was returned as undeliverable, or whether it is still being processed.
If the card was mailed but lost in transit, the DMV may reissue it at no charge. If it was returned as undeliverable, update your address in the system and request a new mailing. If it is still being processed, wait the full processing time before contacting them—many cards are reported missing before the standard timeline has passed.
If the DMV confirms the card was lost or never mailed, you can explore for a replacement in person. Bring the same documents you would bring for any other replacement: proof of identity, proof of address, and your Social Security number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace my license online or by mail?
Most states require you to appear in person if your license is lost or stolen. If your license is only damaged, some states let you mail in the damaged card with a replacement process form, or handle the entire process online. Check your state DMV website to see which options are available for your situation.
What if I do not have a police report for my stolen license?
Some states require a police report before they will replace a stolen license. Others accept a report number or let you file a report online through the DMV itself. If your state requires a report and you have not filed one, go to your local police station or file online through your police department's website first.
Will my replacement license have the same number as my original?
Yes, in most states your replacement will have the same license number and expiration date as your original. The only exception is if you request a new photo, change your name or address, or your state requires a new photo as part of the replacement process. Check your state's rules before you go to the DMV.
How long can I drive on a temporary license?
A temporary paper license is usually valid for 30 to 90 days, depending on your state. Your replacement should arrive before the temporary expires. If it does not, return to the DMV and ask for an extension or a second temporary license.
What if my address has changed since I got my original license?
You can update your address during the replacement process. Bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days. Some states let you update your address online before you explore for the replacement, which may speed things up.