Return it to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles
If you find a driver's license, the fastest way to return it is to mail it directly to the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) where it was issued. The address appears on the back of the license itself — most states print their DMV mailing address there for exactly this reason. You do not need postage if you use the envelope format some states provide; check the back of the card first.
If the license has no return address printed on it, search online for "[your state] DMV lost and found" or visit your state's DMV website. Most state DMV sites have a dedicated page for returning found documents, with a specific mailing address and sometimes instructions for submitting photos instead of mailing the physical card.
The DMV will attempt to contact the owner using the address on file and return the license to them. This process typically takes two to four weeks, depending on mail delivery and how quickly the DMV processes incoming items.
Key Takeaways
- The back of most driver's licenses prints the state DMV's mailing address, so you can return it without searching for contact information.
- Some states offer online submission options where you photograph the license and submit it through their website instead of mailing the physical card.
- If you find a license in a wallet or purse, you can also return the entire item to a police station, which will forward it to the DMV.
- Never attempt to contact the license holder directly using information on the card — the DMV handles notification and return.
- Mailing a found license costs nothing if you use standard mail; the DMV receives hundreds of these returns monthly.
Check your state DMV website for online submission
Many states now accept photos of found licenses through their website rather than requiring you to mail the physical card. This is faster for the owner and eliminates the risk of the card being lost in the mail a second time.
Go to your state's official DMV website and search for "found license" or "return lost ID." Some states have a dedicated form where you upload a photo of both sides of the license. Others direct you to email the photo to a specific DMV address. A few states use a third-party service to process found documents — the website will tell you which method applies.
If you use online submission, keep the physical license in a safe place for at least one week in case the DMV needs to contact you for clarification. After that, you can destroy it or hold it longer if you prefer.
Take it to a local police station if you found it in a wallet
If the license came in a wallet, purse, or other item with additional identification or contact information, a police station can often return the entire item to the owner more quickly than the DMV can. Police departments have access to address databases and can sometimes contact the owner directly or forward the item through local channels.
Walk into any police station during business hours with the wallet or purse. Tell the officer you found it and ask them to process it as a found item. They will take your contact information in case the owner wants to thank you, and they will either return it directly or send it to the DMV with a note about where it was found.
This route works best in smaller towns or if the license holder lives locally. In large cities, the police station may still route it to the DMV, but they can sometimes expedite the process.
Mail it to the address on the back of the license
The simplest option is often the one printed on the card itself. Flip the license over and look for a mailing address — most states print "Return to DMV" with a specific address on the back.
Place the license in a standard envelope with no additional postage required (most states use a business reply format). Write nothing on the envelope — the address is already there. Drop it in any mailbox. The license will arrive at the DMV's processing center, where staff will match it to the owner's file and mail it to their address on record.
This method is reliable and costs you nothing. The only downside is timing: mail delivery plus DMV processing typically takes three to four weeks. If you need confirmation that the license arrived, you cannot track it the way you would a package.
Contact the DMV directly if the license is damaged or has no address
If the license is too damaged to read, or if no return address is visible on the back, call your state's DMV customer service line. The number is on your own driver's license or on the state DMV website. Explain that you found a license and ask where to send it.
The DMV representative will give you a specific mailing address for damaged or unclear documents. They may also ask you to describe the license so they can note in their system that it is coming. This creates a record and can speed up the matching process when the card arrives.
If the license is severely damaged and unreadable, the DMV may ask you to destroy it rather than mail it, since it cannot be returned to the owner anyway. Follow their instructions.
Do not attempt to contact the license holder yourself
Even if the license includes a phone number, address, or social media information, do not use it to contact the owner. The information on the license may be outdated, and contacting a stranger using their personal data can feel like a privacy violation or scam, even though your intentions are good.
The DMV is the proper channel because they have current contact information and the owner expects to hear from them. Let the system work — it is designed for this exact situation and protects both you and the license holder.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I found the license but not the wallet?
Mail it to the DMV address on the back of the license or submit it online through your state's website. The DMV will contact the owner at their address on file. You do not need the wallet — the license alone is enough for the DMV to identify and locate the owner.
Do I need to include a note explaining where I found it?
You can include a brief note if you want, but it is not necessary. The DMV will process the license and return it regardless. If you found it in a specific location (like a parking lot or restaurant), a note can help the owner understand where to retrace their steps, but leave out personal details about yourself.
What if the license is from another state?
The process is the same — mail it to the address on the back or search online for that state's DMV website. Each state's DMV handles its own licenses. The address on the back will direct you to the correct state office.
Can I keep the license if the owner does not claim it after a certain time?
No. The license belongs to the state and the owner, not to you. Once you turn it in to the DMV or police, it is out of your hands. Do not hold onto it with the idea of keeping it if unclaimed — that is not how the system works.
What if I found a license but I am not sure which state it is from?
Look at the front of the license — the state name is printed at the top. If you cannot read it clearly, search online for "driver's license format by state" to match the design. Once you identify the state, follow the return process for that state's DMV.