Report it to the DMV or police, or return it directly to the person if you can identify them

If you find a driver's license, you have three practical options. The fastest is to return it directly to the person whose name is on it — most licenses include a phone number or address you can use to contact them. If you cannot reach them or prefer not to, you can turn the license in to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which will attempt to return it to the owner. A third option is to give it to local police, though this is slower and usually unnecessary unless the license was found at a crime scene or you suspect fraud.

The person who lost the license will need to replace it, but your job is straightforward to get it back into official hands or to them directly. You are not responsible for their replacement process — that begins only once they realize it is missing and contact their DMV.

Key Takeaways

  • Calling or texting the person whose name is on the license is the fastest way to return it; most licenses include contact information.
  • If you cannot reach the person, mail or deliver the license to your state DMV, which will forward it to them.
  • Do not throw away a found license or leave it where you found it — the person needs it to prove their identity during replacement.
  • Police involvement is rarely necessary unless you found the license at a crime scene or suspect the person's identity has been stolen.
  • Never attempt to use someone else's license or alter it; doing so is a crime regardless of your intent.

Return it directly to the person if you have contact information

The easiest path is to contact the person directly. Most driver's licenses print a phone number on the back, and many include a home address on the front. Call or text the number, or look up the address online to confirm it is current before mailing the license.

If you are returning it in person, meet in a public place during daylight and ask to see a second form of ID to confirm you are handing it to the right person. If you are mailing it, use a tracked method like certified mail or a carrier that provides tracking — do not send it in a regular envelope with no way to confirm delivery.

Turn it in to the DMV if you cannot reach the person

Every state DMV has a process for lost-and-found licenses. You can usually mail the license to your state DMV's main office with a brief note explaining where you found it. Some DMVs also accept licenses in person at their field offices — call ahead to confirm your local office takes walk-in returns.

Include a note with the date and location where you found the license so the DMV can note it in their system. The DMV will then attempt to contact the person and return it to them. This process typically takes one to three weeks, depending on how quickly the person checks their mail or responds to the DMV's outreach.

What happens if the license is damaged or the person cannot be found

If the license is water-damaged, torn, or otherwise unreadable, the DMV may not be able to process it. In that case, the person will have to replace it anyway — turning in the damaged license is still worth doing, because it alerts the DMV that the original is no longer in circulation and prevents confusion if someone else finds it later.

If the address on the license is very old or you cannot reach the person by phone, the DMV's attempt to return it may fail. The license will typically be held for a set period (usually 30 to 90 days, depending on the state) before being destroyed. This does not harm the person — they will straightforward have to replace it through the normal process once they realize it is missing.

When to involve police

Police involvement is rarely necessary. Contact local police only if you found the license at a crime scene, suspect the person's identity has been stolen, or have reason to believe the license was used fraudulently. In all other cases, the DMV or direct contact with the person is the appropriate route.

If you do contact police, bring the license with you and explain where and when you found it. They will either take it into evidence or direct you to the DMV, depending on the circumstances.

Never use or alter someone else's license

Do not attempt to use a found license as your own ID, lend it to someone else, or alter it in any way. Using someone else's identification document is identity theft and forgery, both felonies in every state. The penalties include jail time, fines, and a criminal record that will affect employment, housing, and insurance for years.

Even if you found the license and are straightforward holding it, keep it in a safe place where others cannot access it. If someone asks to borrow it or you are tempted to use it yourself, turn it in to the DMV when ready instead.

What the person who lost it will need to do next

Once the person receives their license back, they are done — no replacement is necessary. However, if they never receive it (because you could not locate them or the DMV's return attempt failed), they will need to visit their state DMV in person to replace it. They will bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and pay a replacement fee, which varies by state but typically ranges from $15 to $50.

If they suspect the license was stolen rather than lost, they should also monitor their credit and consider placing a fraud alert with the credit bureaus. A lost license alone does not put someone at high risk of identity theft, but combined with other personal information, it can be used to open accounts or commit fraud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mail a found license to the DMV without a return address?

Yes. Include a note with the date and location where you found it, but you do not need to provide your name or contact information. The DMV will attempt to return it to the person whose name is on the license based on their records.

What if the license has an out-of-state address?

Contact that state's DMV instead of your own. You can find the correct DMV office by searching "[state name] DMV lost and found" online. Mail the license to the address listed on their website, or call to ask where to send it.

Is it safe to call the number on the back of the license?

Yes. The number printed on a driver's license is the person's own contact information, which they provided to the DMV. Calling to say you found their license is a legitimate reason to use that number.

What if I found the license months ago and am just now trying to return it?

Return it anyway. There is no time limit on returning a lost license. The person may have already replaced it, but turning in the old one prevents it from being used fraudulently and clears it from circulation.

Do I need to pay anything to return a found license?

No. Returning a found license costs you nothing. If someone asks you for money to return it, that is a scam — straightforward turn it in to the DMV yourself instead.