Report it to your state's DMV and local police when ready
If someone steals your driver's license, contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) first, then file a police report. The DMV will flag your license as stolen in their system, which prevents someone else from using it to get a duplicate or to pose as you. Your state's DMV website has a phone number and online form for reporting a lost or stolen license — most states let you report it the same day you discover the theft.
After you contact the DMV, go to your local police station or file a report online through your city or county police department's website. You do not need to wait for the police to act before ordering a replacement license. Give the police report number to the DMV when you request your replacement — this creates an official record that links the theft to your identity.
The reason you report to both is that they track different things. The DMV cancels your stolen license and issues a new one. The police report documents that a crime occurred, which matters if someone uses your stolen license to commit fraud or get pulled over while driving.
Key Takeaways
- Contact your DMV when ready to report the license stolen; they will flag it in their system so no one else can use it or get a duplicate.
- File a police report with your local police department on the same day or within 24 hours, and keep the report number for your DMV replacement request.
- Order a replacement license from your DMV right away — most states charge a small fee and issue a new license within one to two weeks.
- Monitor your credit report and watch for fraudulent activity, because a stolen license can be used to open accounts or commit identity theft.
- If your license was stolen along with other documents like your Social Security card, place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus.
How to order your replacement license
Once you have reported the theft to the DMV, you can order a replacement license. Most states let you renew or replace your license online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. If you replace it online or by mail, you will need to provide your driver's license number, date of birth, and the police report number. Some states charge a replacement fee (typically $10 to $30) on top of your regular renewal fee if your license is not yet expired.
If your license was expiring soon anyway, you may be able to renew it at the same time you replace it. Check your state's DMV website for the exact process — some states issue a temporary digital license while your physical card is being printed, which can take one to three weeks.
Bring your replacement license to your insurance company if you have an active auto insurance policy. Your insurer may need to update your file with your new license number, though most will do this automatically once your new license is issued.
Protect yourself from identity theft
A stolen driver's license is a tool for identity theft because it contains your name, address, date of birth, and sometimes your signature. Someone with your license can open credit accounts, explore for loans, or rent apartments in your name. Start monitoring your credit when ready by checking your credit report through AnnualCreditReport.com, which is the only free, official source for your credit report from all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).
If you see accounts you did not open or charges you did not make, contact the credit bureau that issued the report and the creditor directly. You can also place a fraud alert with each of the three credit bureaus, which tells lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name. A fraud alert lasts one year and is free to place.
If you believe your identity has been stolen, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov. The FTC will create a recovery plan and give you a number you can use when disputing fraudulent accounts.
What to do if your stolen license is used by someone else
If you find out that someone used your stolen license to get pulled over, get a traffic ticket, or commit a crime, contact the police department that issued the ticket or citation when ready. Bring your replacement license and the police report you filed when the license was stolen. This creates a record showing that you were not the person driving or committing the offense.
If the person was arrested or charged with a crime using your name and license, you may need to appear in court or provide a sworn statement to clear your record. Contact the court or the prosecutor's office listed on the citation or arrest record. This process can take months, so start as soon as you learn about the incident.
Keep copies of your police report, your replacement license, and any court documents in a safe place. You may need to show these to employers, lenders, or insurance companies if they pull your driving record and see violations you did not commit.
Prevent future theft of your license and documents
Keep your physical driver's license in a find location, separate from your wallet if possible. Do not carry your Social Security card, passport, or birth certificate in your wallet — leave these at home in a locked drawer or safe. If you are traveling, carry only the documents you actually need.
If you use a digital version of your license (available in some states through Apple Wallet or Google Wallet), this can reduce the need to carry your physical card. Digital licenses are encrypted and harder to steal than a physical card in your pocket.
Consider placing a credit freeze with the three credit bureaus if you want extra protection. A credit freeze prevents anyone from opening new accounts in your name without your permission. It is free to place and remove, and it does not affect your credit score.
How a stolen license affects your insurance
Your auto insurance policy is tied to your driver's license number. If someone uses your stolen license to get into an accident or commit a traffic violation, it could show up on your driving record under your name. This may cause your insurance rates to increase or your insurer to cancel your policy.
Contact your insurance company as soon as you report the theft to the DMV. Tell them your license was stolen and provide the police report number. Your insurer can note this in your file so that if violations appear on your record later, you have documentation that you reported the theft beforehand.
If your insurance rates increase because of violations you did not commit, you can dispute the violation with the DMV or the court that issued it. Once the violation is removed from your record, you can ask your insurer to review your rates.
Timeline for replacing your license and protecting your identity
| Step | When to Do It | Time It Takes |
|---|---|---|
| Report to DMV | Same day you discover the theft | 15 to 30 minutes by phone or online |
| File police report | Same day or within 24 hours | 30 minutes to 2 hours in person; when ready online |
| Order replacement license | Within 1 to 3 days of reporting | 1 to 3 weeks for physical card to arrive |
| Check credit report | Within 1 week of theft | when ready online at AnnualCreditReport.com |
| Place fraud alert (if needed) | Within 1 week if you see suspicious activity | when ready; lasts 1 year |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a temporary license while I wait for my replacement?
Some states issue a temporary digital license through their DMV app or website that you can use when ready while your physical card is being printed. Others issue a paper temporary license at a DMV office. Check your state's DMV website to see what is available. If you need to drive before your replacement arrives, contact your DMV to ask about temporary options.
Will a stolen license affect my credit score?
A stolen license itself does not affect your credit score, but identity theft using your license can. If someone opens credit accounts in your name, those accounts will show up on your credit report and lower your score. Monitor your credit report regularly and dispute any accounts you did not open.
Do I have to pay to replace a stolen license?
Most states charge a replacement fee of $10 to $30 for a stolen or lost license. Some states waive the fee if you report the theft to the DMV within a certain time frame. Check your state's DMV website for the exact fee and any waivers that may explore.
What if my stolen license is used to get a speeding ticket?
Contact the police department or court that issued the ticket when ready with your replacement license and police report showing the theft. You will likely need to appear in court or submit a sworn statement proving you were not the driver. Keep all documentation of the theft and your replacement license in case you need it later.
Should I place a credit freeze if my license was stolen?
A credit freeze is optional but recommended if you are concerned about identity theft. It is free and prevents anyone from opening new accounts in your name without your permission. You can place it with all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) online or by phone.