What you need to do right now if your Virginia license is lost

Contact the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to report your license lost and request a replacement. You can do this online through the DMV website, by phone at 804-367-0538, or in person at any DMV customer service center. Virginia lets you order a replacement online or by mail without visiting an office, which is faster than going in person. The replacement card costs $20 and takes about 7 to 10 business days to arrive by mail, or you can get it the same day if you visit a DMV office in person.

While you wait for your replacement, you can request a temporary paper license at the same time you order the card. This temporary license is valid for 45 days and works as proof of your driving privilege if you are stopped by police. You do not need the temporary license to drive legally — your name in the DMV system is enough — but having it in your wallet gives you something to show.

Key Takeaways

  • You can order a replacement license online, by mail, or in person; online and mail orders cost $20 and take 7 to 10 business days.
  • If you go to a DMV office in person, you can walk out with a replacement the same day for $20.
  • A temporary paper license valid for 45 days can be issued at the same time and gives you a physical document to carry while you wait.
  • You will need to bring your Social Security number, date of birth, and proof of Virginia residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days).
  • If your license was stolen, you may want to report it to police and monitor your credit, though a lost license alone does not put your identity at high risk.

Ordering online or by mail — the fastest way if you do not need it today

The Virginia DMV website allows you to order a replacement license without leaving home. Go to dmvnow.com, select "Replace a Lost, Stolen, or Damaged License," and follow the prompts. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and the driver's license number if you remember it (the system can look it up by name and date of birth if you do not). You will also need to upload or provide a photo; if you do not have a digital photo ready, you can use the photo from your current license on file.

Payment is by credit or debit card, and the $20 fee is charged when you submit the order. Your replacement card ships within 3 to 5 business days and arrives in 7 to 10 business days total. If you prefer to mail in your request, you can read the DL-44 form from the DMV website, fill it out, and mail it with a check or money order to the DMV address listed on the form. Mail-in orders take longer — typically 2 to 3 weeks from the time the DMV receives your envelope — so online is faster if you have internet access.

Getting a replacement in person on the same day

If you need to drive with a physical license today or tomorrow, visit any Virginia DMV customer service center with proof of your identity and Virginia residency. Bring your Social Security number and date of birth, a utility bill or lease dated within 60 days, and a second form of ID if you have one (passport, military ID, or state ID card). The DMV will take a new photo, process your request, and print your license on the spot. The cost is still $20, and the whole visit usually takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on how busy the office is.

You can check wait times at your local DMV office on dmvnow.com before you go. Some offices are much busier than others, and going early in the morning or on a weekday afternoon tends to be faster than midday or Friday. If you live near multiple DMV locations, checking wait times for all of them can save you an hour or more.

What counts as proof of Virginia residency

The DMV accepts a narrow list of documents as proof that you live in Virginia. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet) dated within the last 60 days is the most common choice. A lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a bank or credit card statement, a property tax bill, or a vehicle registration also work. The document must show your name and current Virginia address. A post office change-of-address form does not count, and neither does a piece of mail addressed to "Resident" or "Current Occupant."

If you have just moved to Virginia and do not yet have a utility bill in your name, a lease or rental agreement is your best option. If you are staying with family or friends and have no document in your name, ask if you can use their utility bill along with a signed letter from them stating that you live there. The DMV accepts this combination in some cases, though policies vary by office — calling ahead at 804-367-0538 can confirm whether your situation will work.

Temporary paper licenses and what they are good for

When you order a replacement online or by mail, you can request a temporary paper license at no extra cost. This is a printed document valid for 45 days that serves as proof you are licensed to drive. It is not a plastic card and will not survive a washing machine, but it is legal to carry and show to a police officer if you are stopped. The temporary license is useful if you have an appointment or need to drive before your plastic card arrives, or if you straightforward want something in your wallet while you wait.

The temporary license is optional — you do not need it to drive legally. Your name in the Virginia DMV system is your license, and police can look you up by name and date of birth. However, many people prefer to have a physical document to hand over rather than explain that their replacement is in the mail. If you order online, the option to add a temporary license appears during checkout. If you mail in a form, write "temporary license requested" on the DL-44 form.

If your license was stolen rather than lost

A stolen license carries a small identity risk because it has your name, date of birth, and address on it. You do not need to do anything beyond ordering a replacement, but you may want to take a few extra steps. File a police report if you believe the license was stolen rather than lost — this creates a record in case someone tries to use it. You can file the report online through your local police department's website or by calling the non-emergency line.

Monitor your credit report for the next few months by checking your free annual report at annualcreditreport.com. A stolen driver's license alone is not enough for someone to open accounts in your name, but it is one piece of information a fraudster might use alongside other data. If you see accounts you did not open, dispute them with the credit bureau and the company that opened the account. Placing a fraud alert on your credit file is optional but takes only a phone call to one of the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion), and they will notify the other two.

Replacing a license that is damaged but not lost

If your license is still in your possession but the plastic is cracked, the photo is faded, or the magnetic strip no longer works, you can order a replacement for the same $20 fee using the same process. The DMV treats damaged licenses the same as lost ones — you order online, by mail, or in person, and you get a new card. You do not need to return the damaged card; the DMV will deactivate it in their system once your replacement is issued.

If the damage is minor — a small crack that does not affect the photo or information — you can still use the license to drive. Police will accept it as long as your identity and license number are readable. However, if the damage makes it hard to read or if the card is visibly falling apart, replacing it is a good idea to avoid questions during a traffic stop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive while I wait for my replacement license to arrive?

Yes. Your license is active in the Virginia DMV system as soon as you order the replacement, even if the plastic card has not arrived yet. You can drive legally without the card in your hand. If you are stopped by police, they can look up your license by name and date of birth. A temporary paper license makes this easier because you have something to show, but it is not required.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

You can still get a replacement license. The DMV will use your date of birth and driver's license number (or name and date of birth) to look up your record. If you do not have a Social Security number, tell the DMV staff when you explore, and they will process your request using your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or other identifying information on file.

How much does it cost to replace a lost license in Virginia?

The replacement fee is $20 whether you order online, by mail, or in person. There are no additional charges for a temporary paper license. If you need expedited shipping (faster than the standard 7 to 10 business days), the DMV does not offer this option — your only way to get a license faster is to visit an office in person and get it the same day.

What if I lost my license outside of Virginia?

If you lost your Virginia license while traveling, you can still order a replacement online or by mail from anywhere. You do not need to be in Virginia to request it. If you need a license urgently and are far from home, contact the DMV at 804-367-0538 to discuss your options — in some cases, they can expedite processing or direct you to a solution faster than standard mail.

Do I need to retake the written or driving test to get a replacement?

No. A replacement license is a new card with the same license number and driving record. You do not retake any tests. The only exception is if your license was suspended or revoked — in that case, you would need to clear the suspension before a replacement can be issued, and you may need to pass a test to reinstate it depending on why it was suspended.