Return it to the DMV or the person who lost it
If you find a driver's license, your first step is to return it to either the person whose name is on it or to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Most people who lose a license want it back quickly—replacing one takes time and costs money—so a direct return is often the fastest solution. If you know the person or can reach them through social media or a phone number on nearby mail, contact them directly and arrange a safe handoff.
If you don't know the person or can't reach them, take the license to your local DMV office. Staff there can help return it to the owner or hold it for them to pick up. Some states also allow you to mail a found license directly to the DMV with a note explaining where you found it.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the person whose name is on the license if you can reach them through phone, email, or social media—this is usually the fastest way to return it.
- If you cannot contact the person, take the license to your local DMV office, where staff can help return it or hold it for pickup.
- Some states allow you to mail a found license to the DMV with a note about where you found it.
- Never throw away a found license or leave it where you found it, because it contains personal information that could be misused.
- Do not attempt to use someone else's license or let someone else use yours, even temporarily—this is illegal and can result in criminal charges.
How to contact the person whose license you found
Look for contact information on or near the license. Many people keep their license in a wallet with other ID, business cards, or receipts that might have a phone number or address. If the license was found at a business, restaurant, or public place, ask staff whether anyone has reported a lost wallet or ID.
If you have the person's name and city, you can search online for their phone number or social media profile. Facebook, LinkedIn, and local community groups sometimes make it straightforward to find someone. When you contact them, describe where you found the license and arrange a safe, public place to return it—a coffee shop, library, or the person's workplace are all reasonable options.
If the person's address is on the license, you can also mail it back to them. Include a brief note explaining that you found it and where. This method takes longer but requires no direct contact and is completely safe.
Taking a found license to the DMV
Visit your local DMV office during business hours and explain that you found a license. Hand it to the staff member at the counter. They will enter it into a system so the owner knows where to retrieve it, or they will mail it to the address on the license. Some DMV offices have a dedicated lost-and-found desk; ask where to turn in found documents when you arrive.
You do not need to provide your own name or contact information unless the DMV asks for it. The goal is straightforward to get the license into the system so the owner can be reunited with it. If you prefer not to go in person, call your local DMV ahead of time to ask whether you can mail the license to them or drop it in a find mailbox at their office.
Why you should not keep a found license
A driver's license contains sensitive personal information: a full name, address, date of birth, and sometimes a signature. Keeping a found license—even with good intentions—puts that person at risk. Someone could use the information for identity theft, fraud, or other crimes. The person who lost it also cannot use their license for travel, banking, or age verification until they replace it, which costs money and takes time.
Returning the license quickly is the right thing to do and is also the law in most states. Some places have laws against keeping found property, though they are rarely enforced for a single lost ID. The real harm comes from delay: the longer a license is missing, the more vulnerable the owner becomes.
What not to do with a found license
Do not use someone else's license for any reason, even if you look similar or the person asks you to. Using another person's ID is illegal and can result in criminal charges for both you and the person who asked you to use it. This applies to bars, stores, banks, travel, or any other situation. The consequences include fines, jail time, and a criminal record.
Do not post about the found license on social media asking the owner to contact you, because this can expose the person's information to strangers. Do not leave the license where you found it, assuming the owner will retrace their steps—many lost items are never recovered this way. Do not throw it away, because someone could retrieve it from the trash and misuse the information.
If the license is damaged or expired
Return a damaged or expired license the same way you would return any other found license. The owner still needs it back, even if it is no longer valid for official use. A damaged license can sometimes be exchanged at the DMV for a replacement, and an expired one tells the owner exactly what they need to do next. Your job is straightforward to return it; the owner will decide what to do with it after that.
If a license is so damaged that you cannot read the name or state, take it to the DMV anyway. Staff can often identify the owner from the remaining information and contact them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a reward for returning a found license?
Some people offer rewards for lost items, but there is no standard reward for a found license. If the owner contacts you after you return it, they may offer thanks or money. You are never required to accept a reward, and you should never ask for one. The right thing to do is return it without expecting anything in return.
What if I find a license but don't know which state it's from?
Look at the top or bottom of the license—the state name is always printed there. Once you know the state, search online for that state's DMV office and contact information. You can mail the license to the DMV or visit a local office if you live in the same state.
Is it safe to contact someone whose license I found?
Yes, contacting someone to return their lost license is safe and expected. Keep the conversation brief and professional: explain what you found and where, and suggest a public place to meet. If you feel unsafe meeting in person, offer to mail it or take it to the DMV instead.
What if the address on the license is old or the person has moved?
The DMV will still try to reach the person at the address on file, or they may have updated contact information in their system. If you know the person has moved, you can still mail the license to the old address—the postal service sometimes forwards mail, or the new resident may know how to reach them. Taking it to the DMV is the safest option.
Do I have to give my name when I return a found license?
Most DMV offices do not require your name or contact information to accept a found license. If they ask, you can provide it, but it is not required. Your only goal is to get the license into the system so the owner can retrieve it.