Lost driving licence – how to get a replacement

Have you lost your driving licence? Don’t panic, this guide will show you how to get a new one.

After checking your home and car for any sign of it, it is important to get a replacement driving licence as soon as possible.

Although there is no legal requirement to carry a driving licence with you at all times, if the police ask to see it, you are obligated to provide it to them within a week.

Drivers are also responsible for replacing a licence if it has been stolen, damaged or destroyed. This know how guide explains all.

What should you do if you lose your driving licence?

A lost driving licence can be replaced. However, before ordering a new one from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), you should ensure you have completed a through search for your existing licence.

That means looking everywhere for your licence, otherwise you will be out of pocked if you pay for a replacement and then find it a few days later. 

You should also contact the police if you suspect your driving licence has been stolen.

How to order a replacement driving licence

You can order a replacement driving licence from the DVLA. It costs £20 and the process can be completed online, over the phone post or by post.

To order a replacement driving licence, you must be:

• A resident of Great Britain
• Not be disqualified from driving

If you live in Northern Ireland, you will need to follow a difference process to order a new driving licence, which is accessed via nidirect.gov.uk/articles/replacing-your-driving-licence

To order a replacement driving licence you will need to provide the addresses where you have lived over the past 3 years

If you know them, you will also need to provide:

• Driving licence number
• Passport number
• National Insurance number

Ordering a replacement driving licence by post

If you do not want to use the online DVLA system, you can order a replacement driving licence by post. This is useful if you do not have a passport or cannot access your passport number. 

To order a replacement driving licence from the DVLA by post you will need to:

• Complete a D1 form. This ‘Application for a Driving Licence' form is available from most Post Offices
• Send the form and payment to the address listed on the form

Replacing a lost driving licence by phone

If you have a photocard driving licence and none of your details have changed since it was issued, you can order a replacement over the phone by calling 0300 790 6801.

You can pay by MasterCard, Visa, Electron or Delta debit or credit card.

Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm. They are also available on Saturdays from 8am to 2pm. Call charges may apply.

How to get a replacement driving licence

To get a replacement driving licence as soon as possible, you’ll need to go through the DVLA’s authentication process and pay the fee.

Once you have carried this out and successfully received a notification that all has been processed, you can start driving again.

• Digital driving licences will arrive before 2024
• Which country’s driving licences can be exchanged in the UK?
• Motorbike licences – what bike can you ride?

How much does it cost to get a new driving licence?

A replacement driving licence will cost £20. To get a new licence, this payment must be made through MasterCard, Visa, Electron or Delta debit or credit card.

How to report a lost or stolen driving licence

If you believe that your licence has been stolen, contact the police immediately, and provide them all the necessary details.

It will be useful to have your driving licence and passport details available when you make the call.

Following this, you will need to go through the application process.

• Driving licence codes and categories explained
• How to get a provisional driving licence
• How much does a provisional driving licence cost?

How long does a replacement driving licence take to arrive?

A replacement driving licence will usually take 3 to 4 weeks to arrive. It might take longer if you have a medical condition or something needs to be checked.

You can visit the DVLA website and use the 14-digit number in your confirmation email – this will allow you to view the current status of your application.

Do you need a paper driving licence?

No, as the paper counterpart to the UK photocard driving licence was abolished on June 8th 2015.

According to the DVLA: “You should destroy yours if you have one, but keep your photocard driving licence.”

However, if your paper licence was issued before March 31st 2000, they are still valid – do not destroy them.

When you next update your name, address or renew your licence, you will only receive your photocard driving licence.

What to do if you find your lost or old driving licence

If you find your old driving licence after applying or receiving a replacement, then you will need to return it to the DVLA.

Write a note that explains why you are returning the old driving licence and send it to:

DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1AB