Report your lost Texas driver's license to the Department of Public Safety online or by mail

If your Texas driver's license is lost, you can report it to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) without visiting an office in person. The fastest route is the DPS website, where you can file a report and request a replacement license in one transaction. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and driver's license number (if you remember it) to start.

Reporting the loss protects you because it flags your license in the system as invalid. This step matters if someone finds your license and tries to use it for fraud. Once you report it lost, that license number will no longer work for identification or age verification, even if the physical card turns up later.

You have two main paths: report and replace online through the DPS website, or mail a form to DPS if you prefer not to use the website. Both routes cost the same and take roughly the same amount of time. The online route is usually faster because you see confirmation when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Report your lost license and request a replacement through the Texas DPS website at dps.texas.gov, which takes about 10 minutes and costs $16 for a standard replacement.
  • You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and your driver's license number to complete the online report, though the system can look up your license if you provide your name and address.
  • Your replacement license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days after DPS processes your request, which usually happens within 1 to 2 business days.
  • If you need to drive before your replacement arrives, you can print a temporary driving permit from the DPS website when ready after reporting the loss, valid for 45 days.
  • Reporting the loss prevents someone else from using your license for fraud and invalidates the old license number in the system permanently.

Steps to report and replace your license online

Start at the Texas DPS website and look for the "Driver License" section. Select "Report Lost or Stolen License" from the menu. You will be asked to enter your personal information: full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address. If you have your license number handy, enter it; if not, DPS can search for it using your name and address.

Next, you will choose whether you want a standard replacement or a Real ID-compliant license. A standard replacement costs $16 and looks like your old license. A Real ID license costs $32 and has a gold star in the upper right corner; it is required for federal buildings and domestic flights starting in 2025, though you can use a passport instead. If you are unsure which you had before, your old license will have shown the type.

After you submit the form, DPS will show you a confirmation number and a temporary driving permit you can print when ready. Keep the confirmation number for your records. Your replacement license will be mailed to the address you provided and should arrive within 7 to 10 business days.

Getting a temporary driving permit while you wait

The temporary permit is one of the most useful parts of reporting online. After you submit your report, the DPS website will display a permit you can print right away. This permit is valid for 45 days and works for driving and age verification in most situations, though some businesses (like banks) may not accept it as ID.

Print the permit on regular paper and carry it with your vehicle registration and proof of insurance. Police will recognize it as a valid temporary license. If your replacement license arrives before the 45 days are up, the temporary permit becomes invalid and you should destroy it.

If you cannot print the permit at home, you can visit any DPS office and show your confirmation number; staff will print one for you. This takes about 15 minutes and requires no appointment at most locations.

Mailing a report if you prefer not to use the website

If you do not want to report online, you can mail a form to DPS instead. Request form DL-43 (process for a Duplicate Driver License) from the DPS website or call 1-888-589-6789 to have one mailed to you. Fill out the form, sign it, and mail it with a check or money order for $16 (or $32 for Real ID) to the address listed on the form.

Processing by mail takes longer than online reporting. Your form will typically be received within 5 to 7 business days, processed within 1 to 2 business days after that, and your replacement license will arrive within 7 to 10 business days after processing. In total, expect 3 to 4 weeks from the time you mail the form.

The mail route does not give you a temporary permit, so if you need to drive before your replacement arrives, you will still need to visit a DPS office in person to get one. For this reason, the online route is usually more practical.

What to do if your license is stolen, not just lost

If you believe your license was stolen rather than lost, you should also file a police report. This creates an official record in case someone uses your license for fraud or identity theft. You can file a report online through your city or county police department's website, or visit a police station in person.

When you report it to DPS, you can note in the comments section that the license was stolen. This flags it more clearly in the system. If fraudulent activity does occur later, having both a police report and a DPS report will help you dispute charges and clear your name.

After reporting to both DPS and police, monitor your credit report for suspicious activity. You can check your credit for free once per year at annualcreditreport.com. If you see unauthorized accounts or charges, contact the credit bureau and the creditor when ready.

Replacing your license if you have moved since it was issued

If you have moved to a new address since your license was issued, you will need to update your address when you report the loss. The online form asks for your current address, and your replacement license will be mailed there. Make sure the address you enter is correct, because DPS will not forward mail if the address changes again before the license arrives.

If you move after you submit the report but before the license arrives, contact DPS when ready at 1-888-589-6789 with your confirmation number and new address. DPS can update the mailing address on file, though this may delay your license by a few days.

Costs and what to expect in your mailbox

A standard replacement license costs $16. A Real ID license costs $32. These are the only fees; there are no additional charges for reporting the loss or printing a temporary permit. You can pay by credit card, debit card, or e-check when you report online.

When your replacement arrives, it will look identical to your old license except for a new issue date and expiration date. Your license number will be the same. The envelope will be plain and unmarked, so it may look like junk mail—check any official-looking mail from the state carefully.

Your replacement license will have the same expiration date as your original license would have had. If your original license was set to expire soon, you may want to renew it at the same time you replace it, though you can also renew later in person or online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I report my license lost if I am not sure where it is?

Yes. If you cannot find your license after searching thoroughly, you can report it lost. DPS does not require you to prove you searched; they treat the report as valid once you submit it. If your license turns up later, the old license number will no longer work, so you will have your replacement to use instead.

What if I do not remember my driver's license number?

You do not need it. The DPS online form can look up your license using your name, date of birth, and address. If the system cannot find your record, you can call 1-888-589-6789 and a staff member will help you locate it before you report it lost.

Will reporting my license lost affect my driving record or insurance?

No. Reporting a lost license does not appear on your driving record and will not change your insurance rates. It is a straightforward administrative action that tells DPS the old license is no longer valid. Your driving history remains unchanged.

How long does the temporary permit work if I get my replacement early?

The temporary permit is valid for 45 days from the date you print it, but it becomes invalid the moment your replacement license arrives. Once you receive your replacement in the mail, destroy the temporary permit and use the new license instead. You do not need to do anything else.

Can someone else pick up my replacement license from the mail?

Your replacement license is mailed to the address you provided, and anyone at that address could potentially open it. If you are concerned about privacy, you can request that DPS hold the license for pickup at a local DPS office instead. Call 1-888-589-6789 after you submit your online report to arrange this.