How to report a lost or stolen Texas driver's license
If your Texas driver's license is lost or stolen, you need to report it to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) as soon as possible. The fastest way is to go in person to any DPS driver license office with your ID and proof of residency — they can issue a replacement on the spot. If you cannot get to an office right away, you can call the DPS Driver License Division at 1-844-DL-TEXAS (1-844-358-3927) to report it by phone, though you will still need to visit an office to get the replacement card.
Reporting it matters because it flags your license number in the system. If someone uses your lost license to get pulled over or to commit fraud, the officer will see it is reported missing. This protects you from being held responsible for traffic tickets or other violations that happen after you report it.
Key Takeaways
- Report your lost or stolen license to the Texas DPS by phone (1-844-358-3927) or in person at any driver license office.
- You will need a government-issued ID and proof of residency to get a replacement, whether you go in person or explore by mail.
- A replacement license costs $16 if you are replacing a lost or stolen card (not a renewal), and takes about two weeks by mail or same-day in person.
- If your license was stolen with other documents, consider placing a fraud alert with the credit bureaus to protect against identity theft.
- You can drive legally while waiting for your replacement as long as you carry the receipt or confirmation number from your DPS report.
Getting a replacement license in person versus by mail
The fastest route is to visit a DPS driver license office in your county. Bring your government-issued ID (passport, military ID, or state ID), proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement with your current address), and your Social Security number. The office will take your photo, process the replacement, and hand you a temporary paper license on the spot. Your permanent card arrives by mail in about two weeks.
If you cannot get to an office, you can mail in an process. read form DL-44 from the DPS website (dps.texas.gov), fill it out, and mail it with a copy of your ID and proof of residency to the address on the form. Processing takes about two weeks from the date DPS receives it, plus mail time both ways. This route costs the same $16 fee but takes longer overall.
Do not wait to report the loss. Even if you plan to explore by mail, call DPS first to report it missing. That report goes into the system when ready and protects you if someone tries to use your number before your replacement arrives.
What documents you need and what they must show
You must bring one government-issued photo ID and one proof of residency. For ID, DPS accepts a U.S. passport, military ID, state ID from another state, tribal ID, or permanent resident card. The document must not be expired (or if it is expired, it cannot be more than two years past expiration).
For proof of residency, bring a document dated within the last 90 days that shows your current Texas address. Utility bills, lease agreements, mortgage statements, bank statements, and insurance policies all work. If you do not have anything in your name, a notarized letter from someone who lives with you stating that you live there is acceptable, though this is slower and requires a notary.
Bring your Social Security number in writing or memorized — you will need it to complete the process. If you have changed your name since your last license, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the name change.
The cost and how long replacement takes
A replacement license for a lost or stolen card costs $16. This is different from a renewal (which costs $25 and happens when your license is about to expire). You pay this fee when you explore, whether in person or by mail.
If you explore in person at a DPS office, you walk out with a temporary paper license valid for 45 days. Your permanent plastic card is mailed to your address and arrives in about two weeks. If you explore by mail, the entire process takes about two weeks from when DPS receives your process, plus the time for mail to reach them and for the card to reach you — typically three to four weeks total.
You can drive legally on the temporary paper license or on your DPS report confirmation number while you wait. Keep whichever one you have with you until the permanent card arrives.
Protecting yourself if your license was stolen with other documents
If your wallet or purse was stolen along with your license, your Social Security number, address, and other identifying information may be at risk. Consider placing a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. A fraud alert tells creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name.
You can place a fraud alert by calling one bureau; they are required to notify the other two. The alert lasts one year and is free. If you believe your identity has already been misused, you can place an extended fraud alert (seven years) or a credit freeze, which blocks access to your credit report entirely until you unlock it.
You do not need to pay a credit monitoring service to do this. The bureaus offer free fraud alerts and free credit freezes. If you want to check your credit report for unauthorized accounts, you can get one free report per year from each bureau at annualcreditreport.com.
Driving legally while your replacement is on the way
You do not need to stop driving while you wait for your replacement card. If you applied in person, you have a temporary paper license valid for 45 days. If you applied by mail, you have a confirmation number or receipt from your DPS report — carry that with you. Both are legal proof that you have reported your license and are waiting for a replacement.
If you get pulled over, tell the officer your license is lost and show them your temporary paper license or your DPS report confirmation. Officers are trained to check the system and will see that your license is reported missing and that a replacement is pending. This protects you from being cited for driving without a license.
If you lose your temporary paper license before your permanent card arrives, go back to the DPS office and ask for another one. They can print a new temporary on the spot at no additional cost.
What to do if you find your license after you report it
If you find your original license after you have reported it lost, you do not need to do anything. The report stays in the system, and your replacement will arrive as scheduled. You can keep both cards, but only one will be active — the new one. If you want to cancel the replacement order, you would need to contact DPS directly, but there is no refund for the $16 fee.
If your original license shows up and you have already received your replacement, straightforward keep the new one and discard the old one. Do not try to use the old one; it will show as reported missing in the system and could cause confusion if you are pulled over.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive without a license while waiting for my replacement?
Yes. You can drive on your temporary paper license (if you applied in person) or on your DPS report confirmation number (if you applied by mail). Both are legal proof that you have reported your license and are waiting for a replacement. Carry whichever document you have with you.
What if I do not have proof of residency?
If you do not have a utility bill or lease in your name, you can bring a notarized letter from someone who lives with you stating that you live at that address. This takes longer because you have to find a notary, but it is accepted by DPS. Some DPS offices have notaries on staff; call ahead to ask.
How much does a replacement license cost?
A replacement for a lost or stolen license costs $16. This is different from a renewal, which costs $25 when your license is about to expire. You pay the $16 fee when you explore, whether in person or by mail.
Can I get a replacement if my license expired?
Yes. You can get a replacement for a lost or stolen license even if it has expired. You will pay the $16 replacement fee, not the $25 renewal fee. If your license expired more than two years ago, you may need to retake the written test and vision test, so call DPS first to confirm what you need.
What if someone uses my lost license to get a traffic ticket?
Report the ticket to DPS and to the court that issued it. Bring proof that you reported your license lost (your DPS report confirmation) and explain that you were not driving. The court can dismiss the ticket once they verify your license was reported missing at the time of the violation. This is why reporting your loss when ready is important.