Lost or Stolen License
If your license is lost, damaged, or stolen, you can request a replacement through your state DMV. A stolen license should also be reported to help prevent identity misuse.
If It Was Stolen
File a police report and keep the case number. While not always required for a replacement, it protects you if someone tries to use your identity. You can also place a fraud alert with the credit bureaus.
Replacement Steps
- Gather proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, or prior ID)
- Provide your Social Security number
- Pay the duplicate card fee
- Apply online, by mail, or in person depending on state rules
Temporary Driving
Many states issue a paper temporary license or receipt immediately, which is valid until the permanent card arrives by mail. Check whether your state requires a vision test or photo for duplicates.
Act Quickly
Report a lost or stolen license to the DMV and, if stolen, to local police. A stolen license can be used for identity theft, so a police report helps if accounts are opened in your name.
Getting a Replacement
- Apply online, by mail, or in person depending on your state
- Provide your license number or alternate ID
- Pay the duplicate fee
- Receive a temporary paper license immediately
While You Wait
Carry the temporary license and a secondary photo ID. Some states issue a digital copy in their app. Avoid driving without any form of identification once the temp expires.
Identity Theft Follow-up
If your wallet with the license was stolen, monitor bank and credit accounts and consider a fraud alert with the credit bureaus. A thief with your license and a bill can attempt account takeovers, so speed matters more than the duplicate fee.
Out-of-State Replacements
Many states let residents replace a lost license online even while traveling, then mail the card to a home address. Carry a digital temp if your state app offers one so you are never driving without proof.
Temporary Validity
A paper temporary license is legally valid for driving until its printed expiry, but some bars and banks reject paper IDs. Keep a passport or other photo ID handy for age checks until the card arrives in the mail.
DriveReady Hub — Informational only. Not affiliated with any DMV or government agency.