Return it to your state's DMV or the person directly

If you find a driver's license, you have two straightforward paths: mail or deliver it to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles, or return it directly to the person whose name is on it. Most states print a mailing address on the back of the license itself. If yours does not, your state DMV website will have a returns address. Some DMVs also accept lost licenses at their local office windows during business hours.

Returning it directly to the person is often faster. Use the address printed on the license, or search online for contact information using the name and city. A handwritten note explaining where you found it helps the person understand the situation. If you know them personally, a phone call or text is quickest.

Do not attempt to use the license information to contact the person through social media or other means without a clear way to verify you are reaching the right person. Stick to the address on the license or the DMV.

Key Takeaways

  • Most driver's licenses print a mailing address on the back for returns, usually your state DMV's central office.
  • You can mail the license yourself or drop it at a local DMV office during business hours.
  • Returning it directly to the person at the address on the license is often faster than going through the DMV.
  • Include a brief note explaining where you found it so the person knows it was not stolen.

Mailing through the DMV

To mail a license to your state DMV, check the back of the card first. Most states print "Return to:" followed by an address. If the address is not visible or legible, visit your state's DMV website and search for "lost license return" or "found license." You will find a mailing address, often at the central processing office rather than a local branch.

Place the license in an envelope with a brief note if you wish, though it is not required. Use regular mail—do not send it certified or registered unless you want proof of delivery, which is optional. The DMV will eventually return it to the person who holds the license, though this can take several weeks depending on mail volume and processing time.

Keep in mind that mailing through the DMV is the slowest option. The person whose license it is will not have it until the DMV processes the return and mails it to them, which can take a month or longer.

Returning it in person at a DMV office

If you prefer not to mail it, most DMV offices accept found licenses at their front desk during regular business hours. You do not need an appointment. Walk in, tell the staff member you found a license, and hand it over. They will log it and may support it reaches the person or gets destroyed if it cannot be returned.

This method is faster than mailing and gives you confirmation that the license was received. Call ahead if you want to confirm your local DMV accepts found licenses at the counter, though nearly all do. Hours vary by location, so check your state DMV website for the office nearest you.

Returning it directly to the person

The fastest way to return a license is often to mail it directly to the address printed on it. Write the person's name and the address from the license on an envelope, include the license, and send it via regular mail. You can add a brief note—"Found this on [date/location], wanted to return it"—so the person knows it was not stolen.

If you know the person or can find their phone number online, you can also call or text to arrange a pickup or delivery. This works especially well if you found the license nearby and the person lives or works close by.

Never attempt to use the license to access the person's accounts, contact their employer, or reach them through means other than the address on the card or a public phone number. Stick to the information on the license itself.

What happens if you keep it or throw it away

Keeping a found license is not illegal in most states, but it is not useful to you and creates a problem for the person who lost it. They will need to go to the DMV to request a replacement, which costs money and takes time. Throwing it away means the person has no way to know where it went.

Returning it—whether through the DMV or directly—takes a few minutes and solves the problem for the person who lost it. It is the straightforward thing to do.

If the license is damaged or unreadable

If the license is water-damaged, torn, or otherwise hard to read, still return it. The DMV can often read enough to process it, or the person can use it as proof they had a license when requesting a replacement. Do not assume it is too damaged to be useful.

If you cannot read the name or address at all, take it to your local DMV office in person. Staff can scan it or look it up in their system and handle it from there. This is better than guessing or discarding it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to include a note when I mail a license back?

No, a note is optional. The DMV will process the license with or without one. A brief note can be helpful so the person knows it was found and returned rather than lost in the mail, but it is not required.

What if I found the license months ago and am just now returning it?

Return it anyway. The person may have already gotten a replacement, but returning the old one is still the right thing to do. The DMV will handle it appropriately, whether that means destroying it or returning it to the person.

Can I return a license that belongs to someone in a different state?

Yes. Mail it to the address on the back of the license, or look up that state's DMV website for a returns address. The process is the same regardless of which state issued the license.

What if the address on the license is old or no longer valid?

Mail it to the address printed on the license anyway. The postal service will often forward it, or the DMV will have updated contact information in their system. If you are concerned the address is very old, mailing it to the DMV instead ensures it reaches the right person through their records.