Report the license to the DMV when ready
If you find a driver's license, the fastest way to return it is to contact the state DMV where it was issued. You can usually do this by phone or online. Have the license in front of you so you can read the person's name, license number, and state of issue.
Call the DMV's main customer service line for that state and explain you have found a license. They will tell you whether to mail it in, drop it at a local office, or hand it to a police officer. Some states have a specific lost-and-found process; others will take your information and contact the owner directly.
If the license is from another state, search "[state name] DMV lost and found" or "[state name] DMV phone number" to find the right contact. Do not assume all states use the same process.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the DMV in the state that issued the license by phone or online, and have the license number and person's name ready.
- Most DMVs will either tell you to mail the license to them, drop it at a local office, or hand it to a police officer on your behalf.
- If you cannot reach the DMV or want to return the license faster, take it to the local police non-emergency line and they will log it as found property.
- Never attempt to contact the license holder directly using personal information on the license, as you cannot verify their identity.
- If the license is damaged, expired, or you find it in a dangerous location, police should handle it rather than the DMV.
Take it to a police station if the DMV is closed
If you find a license outside DMV business hours or want to return it the same day, take it to your local police station's non-emergency line. Police departments log found identification as lost property and often contact the owner or hold it for them to retrieve.
You do not need to file a formal report. straightforward walk in or call the non-emergency number, explain you found a driver's license, and hand it over. The officer will record the license number and the date you found it. The owner can then call the police station to pick it up or have it mailed to them.
This route is especially useful if the license was found in a public place like a parking lot, store, or street, because police can document where it was recovered.
Mail it directly to the DMV if you prefer not to go in person
Most states accept mailed driver's licenses. Write a short note with the date and location where you found it, place the license and note in an envelope, and mail it to the DMV address listed on the state's website.
Search "[state name] DMV mailing address" to find the correct office. Some states have a specific address for lost-and-found items; others direct you to mail it to the main office. Include a return address on the envelope so the DMV can contact you if there is a problem.
Mailing takes longer than dropping it off in person or calling, so use this method only if you cannot reach the DMV by phone or visit a police station. The license will typically reach the owner within one to two weeks.
Never contact the person directly using information on the license
You may be tempted to call or text the phone number on the license or look up the person's address and mail it to them. Do not do this. You cannot verify the person's identity from a license alone, and contacting a stranger using their personal information can feel threatening or unsafe to them.
Additionally, the address on the license may be outdated, and the phone number may no longer belong to that person. The DMV or police department has access to current contact information and can reach the owner reliably.
The safest approach is always to hand the license to an official body — the DMV or police — and let them handle the return.
What to do if the license is damaged or expired
If the license is torn, water-damaged, or so worn that the information is hard to read, take it to a police station rather than mailing it. Police can photograph it and document its condition before storing it, which protects both you and the owner in case there are questions later.
An expired license is still valid identification and should be returned the same way as an active one. The expiration date does not change the process. The owner may need it for records or to renew, so do not discard it.
If you find a license in a dangerous location
If the license is in a place where retrieving it would be unsafe — on a highway, in a flooded area, or in an active crime scene — call the non-emergency police line and describe the location. Police can retrieve it safely and log it as found property without you having to enter a dangerous situation.
Do not attempt to retrieve a license from traffic, water, or any location where you would be at risk. The owner's safety and yours matter more than the speed of return.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I find a license but do not know which state issued it?
Look at the top or bottom of the license — the state name is always printed there. If the license is too damaged to read the state, take it to a local police station and they will identify it. Do not guess which state it came from, as mailing it to the wrong DMV delays the return.
Can I keep the license if I cannot find the owner?
No. Once you have reported it to the DMV or police, your responsibility is complete. Do not keep the license. If the DMV or police cannot locate the owner after a set period (usually 30 to 90 days depending on the state), they will destroy it or return it to you if you provided your contact information.
What if the license has a photo that does not match the name?
This is not your concern to investigate. Hand the license to the DMV or police as you would any other found license. If there is fraud involved, the authorities will discover it during their process. Your job is only to return it to the right agency.
Do I need to provide my name and contact information when I turn in a found license?
It depends on the agency. Police will usually ask for your name and phone number in case they need to confirm details about where and when you found it. The DMV may or may not ask. Providing this information is optional but helpful, as it allows the owner to thank you if they wish.
How long does it take for the owner to get their license back?
If you turn it in to police, the owner can usually pick it up within a few days. If you mail it to the DMV, it takes one to two weeks. If you call the DMV and they contact the owner directly, it depends on how quickly that person responds. There is no set timeline, but most owners retrieve their licenses within two weeks of them being turned in.