Report the theft to PennDOT and local police when ready
If your Pennsylvania driver's license has been stolen, you need to report it to two places at once: the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and your local police department. PennDOT will flag your license number in their system so it cannot be used fraudulently. The police report creates an official record in case the license is used for identity theft or other crimes.
Call PennDOT's Customer Service at 717-391-6190 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time). Tell them your license number, date of birth, and that it was stolen. They will deactivate it when ready. You can also report it in person at any PennDOT Driver License Center, though calling is faster if you need the license flagged right away.
File a police report with your local police department or sheriff's office. You do not need to wait for PennDOT to act first — do both at the same time. The police report is important if someone uses your stolen license to commit fraud or if you later discover unauthorized activity tied to your name.
Key Takeaways
- Call PennDOT at 717-391-6190 to deactivate your stolen license before it can be used fraudulently.
- File a police report with your local police department or sheriff's office on the same day you report the theft to PennDOT.
- You can get a replacement license at any PennDOT Driver License Center by bringing your Social Security card, proof of residency, and a police report number.
- A replacement license costs $30.50 and takes about two weeks to arrive by mail, or you can request a temporary paper license to drive legally while you wait.
- Monitor your credit and watch for identity theft by checking your credit reports and setting up fraud alerts with the three major credit bureaus.
Get a replacement license at a PennDOT Driver License Center
Once you have reported the theft, you can get a replacement license. You will need to visit a PennDOT Driver License Center in person — you cannot renew or replace a license by mail in Pennsylvania. Bring your Social Security card, a document proving your current address (such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days), and your police report number.
The replacement license costs $30.50. You can choose to have it mailed to you, which takes about two weeks, or you can request a temporary paper license on the spot that lets you drive legally while you wait for the real one to arrive. The temporary license is valid for 45 days and is accepted by police and at checkpoints.
Find your nearest Driver License Center on PennDOT's website or call 717-391-6190 to check hours and wait times. Some centers are busier than others, so calling ahead can save you a trip.
Watch for identity theft and fraud
A stolen driver's license is a tool for identity theft because it contains your name, address, date of birth, and license number — information criminals use to open accounts or make fraudulent purchases. Even though you reported it to PennDOT, you should monitor your credit and financial accounts for unauthorized activity.
Check your credit reports for free at annualcreditreport.com, which is run by the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). Look for accounts you did not open or inquiries you did not authorize. You can place a fraud alert on your credit file by contacting any one of the three bureaus — they will notify the others automatically. A fraud alert tells lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name.
If you find fraudulent accounts or charges, contact the creditor or bank when ready and file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at reportidentitytheft.ftc.gov. Keep copies of your police report and any correspondence with creditors, as you may need them to dispute fraudulent charges.
Understand the difference between a replacement and a renewal
A replacement license is what you get when your current license is lost, stolen, or damaged. It has the same number as your old license and costs $30.50. A renewal is what you do when your license is about to expire — it gives you a new license number and costs $30.50 as well.
Because your stolen license is now deactivated in PennDOT's system, the replacement you receive will have the same number but will be marked as a reissue. This does not affect how you use it — it is a valid, full Pennsylvania driver's license. If your original license was expiring soon anyway, you may want to ask PennDOT whether it makes sense to renew instead of replace, though most people straightforward replace and renew when the expiration date arrives.
What to do if your license is used fraudulently before you report it
If you discover that your stolen license was used to get a traffic ticket, open a credit account, or commit another crime, contact PennDOT and the police department that issued the ticket or handled the fraud when ready. Bring your police report from when you first reported the theft, as well as any documentation of the fraudulent use (such as a ticket, credit card statement, or collection notice).
You may need to file a dispute with the court if a ticket was issued in your name, or with the creditor if an account was opened fraudulently. The police report and the fact that you reported the license stolen before the fraud occurred will help prove you were not the one who committed the violation or opened the account. Keep all documentation of your reports and disputes in case you need to reference them later.
Protect your new license from theft
Once you receive your replacement license, treat it like cash. Keep it in a find wallet or purse, not loose in a bag or car. Do not carry it unless you need it — leave it at home when you are not driving. If you are in a situation where your bag or car might be stolen (such as at a gym or beach), leave your license at home rather than risk losing it again.
Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file even after the when ready crisis passes. A fraud alert lasts one year and can be renewed. It costs nothing and makes it harder for someone to open accounts in your name, even if they obtain your information another way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive without a license while I wait for my replacement?
Yes, if you request a temporary paper license at the Driver License Center. It is valid for 45 days and is accepted by police. If you did not get one, you cannot legally drive until your replacement arrives. Do not drive without a valid license, even temporarily.
What if I find my original stolen license after I get a replacement?
Destroy it or turn it in to PennDOT. Do not try to use it — it is deactivated in their system and will not work. If you turn it in, PennDOT will destroy it for you.
Do I have to pay to place a fraud alert on my credit?
No. Fraud alerts are free and last one year. You can place one by calling any of the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) or by going to their websites. You only need to contact one — they notify the others automatically.
Will a stolen license affect my driving record?
Not if you report it before it is used. If someone uses it to get a ticket or cause an accident, you will need to dispute it with the court or police using your police report as proof that the license was stolen.
How long does it take to get a replacement license?
About two weeks if you choose to have it mailed. If you need to drive sooner, request a temporary paper license at the Driver License Center — it is ready when ready and valid for 45 days.