Get a replacement at your local Motor Vehicle Commission office or through the mail

If you have lost your New Jersey driver's license, you can replace it in person at any Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) office or by mail. The in-person route is faster — you can walk out with a temporary license the same day — but the mail route works if you cannot visit an office. Both cost $24 for a standard replacement license.

You will need to bring proof of identity and proof of New Jersey residency. A passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers work for identity. For residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your current address. If you are replacing a license you physically lost (not one that was suspended or revoked), the MVC will not ask you to retake the written or road test.

Your replacement license will have the same number and expiration date as your original. If your original license expires soon, you can renew it at the same time for an additional fee, but that is optional — you can replace now and renew later.

Key Takeaways

  • Visit any Motor Vehicle Commission office with proof of identity and New Jersey residency to get a temporary license on the spot, or mail your documents to the MVC for a replacement by mail.
  • A replacement license costs $24 and keeps your original license number and expiration date.
  • You do not need to retake any tests when replacing a lost license.
  • The MVC office wait time varies by location and time of day; calling ahead or checking the MVC website for current wait times can help you plan your visit.
  • If your license was suspended or revoked rather than lost, you cannot straightforward replace it — you must resolve the suspension or revocation first.

What to bring to an MVC office for an in-person replacement

Bring your Social Security number or a document showing it (like a tax return or W-2), proof of identity, and proof of New Jersey residency. The MVC accepts a wide range of documents. For identity, a U.S. passport, passport card, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or military ID all work. If you do not have any of those, a combination of documents like a Social Security card plus a credit card or bank statement can work — ask the office when you call ahead.

For residency, the document must show your current address and be dated within the last 12 months. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, insurance policy, or bank statement all count. If you recently moved and your documents still show an old address, bring a second document dated after your move, or bring a letter from your landlord or utility company confirming your new address.

Bring the documents in their original form — photocopies are not accepted. If any document is in a language other than English, bring an English translation certified by a translator.

Replacing your license by mail

Mail your documents to the Motor Vehicle Commission, Special Services Section, P.O. Box 403, Trenton, NJ 08625. Include a completed process for Duplicate Driver License or Identification Card (form BA-298), your proof of identity, proof of residency, and a check or money order for $24 payable to "State of New Jersey." Do not send cash.

read form BA-298 from the MVC website or call the MVC at 609-292-6500 to request it by mail. Include a note with your name, date of birth, and current address so the MVC can match your documents to your record. Mail takes two to four weeks; the MVC will send your replacement license to the address you provide.

Keep a copy of everything you mail, and consider using certified mail with return receipt so you have proof the MVC received your package. If your documents do not arrive or you do not receive your license within four weeks, call the MVC to check the status.

Getting a temporary license at the MVC office

When you visit an MVC office in person, you will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent replacement is printed and mailed to you. The temporary license has the same number as your original and is valid for driving in New Jersey and most other states during that 30-day window.

Your permanent license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If it does not arrive within two weeks, contact the MVC. You can continue driving on the temporary license until the permanent one arrives, but once it does, the temporary is no longer valid.

What to do if your license was suspended or revoked

If your license was suspended or revoked — for example, due to unpaid fines, a DUI conviction, or accumulating too many points — you cannot straightforward replace it. You must first resolve the reason for the suspension or revocation. The MVC will tell you when ready when you arrive at the office or when you call.

Contact the MVC or the court that issued the suspension to find out what you need to do. This might mean paying outstanding fines, completing a defensive driving course, serving a suspension period, or obtaining an interlock device. Only after you have satisfied those requirements can you replace your license.

Replacing your license if you have changed your name

If you have changed your name since your original license was issued — through marriage, divorce, or legal name change — bring a document proving the change along with your other documents. A marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order for legal name change all work. The MVC will issue a new license with your current name and a new number.

This counts as a replacement, not a renewal, so you pay the $24 replacement fee. Your new license will have the same expiration date as your original license would have had.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive without my license while I wait for the replacement?

If you received a temporary paper license at the MVC office, yes — it is valid for 30 days. If you are replacing by mail and do not have a temporary, you should not drive. Driving without a valid license is illegal, even if you have lost your original.

What if I lost my license outside of New Jersey?

You still replace it through the New Jersey MVC using the same process. If you are out of state and cannot visit an office, use the mail-in route. If you need to drive before your replacement arrives, some states issue a temporary driving permit to out-of-state residents — check with the state where you are located.

Do I have to pay for a replacement if the MVC lost my license?

No. If the MVC made an error and lost your license after you submitted it for renewal or another transaction, contact the MVC office where you submitted it. Explain what happened and ask for a free replacement. Bring your proof of identity and residency.

How long does it take to get a replacement license?

In person: you get a temporary license the same day and a permanent license by mail within 7 to 10 business days. By mail: two to four weeks for the permanent license to arrive. Wait times at MVC offices vary; check the MVC website or call ahead to see current wait times at your local office.

Can I renew my license at the same time I replace it?

Yes. If your license is expiring soon, bring the renewal fee ($24 for a standard license) along with the replacement fee. The MVC will issue a new license with a fresh expiration date. You can also replace now and renew later if you prefer.