How to Replace a Lost Virginia Driver's License

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

When your Virginia driver's license goes missing, you have two paths: visit a DMV office in person or request a replacement by mail. The in-person route takes about 30 minutes and you leave with a temporary license the same day. The mail route takes two to three weeks but requires no trip to an office. Both cost $20 for a standard replacement license. You will need to prove your identity and Virginia residency, and you must report the loss to the DMV before someone else can use your license number.

Virginia's DMV does not require you to file a police report for a lost license, though you may want to if you suspect theft rather than straightforward loss. The DMV's main concern is stopping someone from fraudulently using your license number, so the sooner you report it, the sooner your old license becomes invalid in their system.

Key Takeaways

You can replace a lost Virginia license in person at any DMV office for $20, or by mail for the same fee with a two- to three-week wait.
In-person replacement gives you a temporary paper license on the spot; mail replacement sends you a new plastic card by post.
You need a valid form of identity (passport, birth certificate, or other state ID) and proof of Virginia residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement).
Report the loss to the DMV when ready so your old license number is deactivated and cannot be misused.
If you need to drive before your replacement arrives, the temporary license issued in person is valid for 45 days.

In-person replacement at a DMV office

Walk into any Virginia DMV office with your identity documents and residency proof. Tell the clerk you need to report a lost license and request a replacement. The DMV will take your information, photograph you, and issue a temporary paper license on the spot. This temporary license is valid for 45 days and works anywhere a regular license does — police will accept it, rental car companies will accept it, and you can use it to board a domestic flight.

Your permanent plastic license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Bring one primary form of ID (passport, birth certificate, military ID, or another state's driver's license) and one proof of Virginia residency dated within the last 60 days (utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement, or insurance policy). If your name has changed since your last license, bring the document that proves the change — marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

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 license, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Check the DMV website for your nearest office and current wait times before you go.

Mail replacement without visiting an office

read the process for Duplicate Driver's License (Form DL-44) from the Virginia DMV website or pick one up at any DMV office. Fill it out completely, sign it, and mail it with a copy of your identity document and residency proof to the address listed on the form. Include a check or money order for $20 made out to the Treasurer of Virginia. Do not send cash.

The DMV processes mail requests in the order received. Your replacement license typically arrives within two to three weeks of the DMV receiving your envelope. There is no way to expedite a mail replacement or check its status before it arrives. If you need to drive before the replacement comes, you will have to visit an office in person to get the temporary license instead.

Mail your process to the DMV address on Form DL-44. Keep a copy of everything you send, including the form, your identity copy, and your residency proof. If your envelope is lost in the mail, you will have no record of what you sent unless you kept copies.

Documents you need for either method

Virginia requires one primary form of identity and one proof of residency. Primary identity documents include a valid U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, military ID, or another state's driver's license. If you do not have any of these, you can use a combination of secondary documents — Social Security card plus a school or work ID, for example — but this takes longer and the DMV may ask for additional paperwork.

Residency proof must be dated within the last 60 days and show your current Virginia address. Utility bills, lease agreements, mortgage statements, bank statements, insurance policies, and vehicle registration all work. A piece of mail from a government agency also counts. If you recently moved and do not have a document in your new name yet, bring your old residency proof plus a document showing your new address, such as a change-of-address confirmation from the post office.

If your name has changed since your last license was issued, bring the document that caused the change. Marriage certificates, divorce decrees, and court orders for name changes all work. The DMV will not issue a license under a new name without this document.

What to do if your license was stolen

If you believe your license was stolen rather than lost, you have the same replacement process but with one extra step. Consider filing a report with the local police department. You do not need a police report to replace your license — the DMV will deactivate your old license number as soon as you report it missing — but a report creates a record in case someone uses your license number for fraud.

If you discover fraudulent activity tied to your license number after you report it lost, that police report helps you prove you did not authorize the activity. You can also place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) by contacting any one of them. A fraud alert tells creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name.

Temporary license validity and what it covers

The temporary paper license you receive in person is valid for 45 days. During those 45 days, it works for driving, boarding domestic flights, and proving your identity to police. Rental car companies will usually accept it, though some may ask for additional ID. Banks and government offices will accept it as proof of identity.

The temporary license shows your name, date of birth, license number, and expiration date. It does not include a photograph, so if you are stopped by police, have it ready along with another form of ID if possible. If your permanent license does not arrive within 45 days, return to the DMV office and request another temporary license — this is free and takes a few minutes.

Replacing a license that expired while lost

If your license expired before you reported it lost, you will need to renew it as well as replace it. The process is the same — you still pay $20 for the replacement — but you will also need to pass a vision test if you are replacing an expired license. The vision test happens at the DMV office during in-person replacement, or you can have an eye doctor perform it and submit the results with your mail process.

If you are replacing an expired license by mail, include a vision test form completed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. You can read this form from the DMV website. The DMV will not process a mail replacement for an expired license without proof of a recent vision test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive with a temporary license while I wait for my permanent one?

Yes. The temporary paper license issued in person is valid for 45 days and works for all driving purposes, including interstate travel. Police will accept it as your license. If your permanent license does not arrive within 45 days, return to any DMV office and request another temporary license at no charge.

What if I do not have a birth certificate or passport?

You can use a combination of secondary documents instead, such as a Social Security card plus a school or work ID, or a military discharge paper plus a bank statement. The DMV may ask for additional documents to verify your identity. Call your local DMV office before you visit to ask which combination they will accept.

How long does it take to get a replacement license by mail?

The DMV typically processes mail replacements within two to three weeks of receiving your envelope. There is no way to track the status or expedite the process. If you need to drive sooner, visit a DMV office in person to get a temporary license instead.

Do I have to file a police report if my license was stolen?

No. The DMV will deactivate your old license number as soon as you report it missing, which stops anyone from using it. A police report is optional but useful if you later discover fraudulent activity tied to your license number, as it creates a record that you did not authorize the use.

What if my name changed since my last license?

Bring the document that caused the change — marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order for a legal name change. The DMV will not issue a license under a new name without this document. The replacement process is otherwise the same.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.