You don't return a lost driver's license to the DMV — you return it to the person who lost it, or to the police

If you've found someone else's driver's license, the fastest way to reunite it with its owner is to look for contact information on or near the license itself. Most licenses print a phone number or address on the back. Call that number or mail the license to that address, and the person will receive it directly.

If there's no contact information on the license, or if you want to make sure it reaches the owner, take it to your local police station's non-emergency line. Police departments keep lost property logs and can often contact the license holder on your behalf. Some police stations have a dedicated lost-and-found desk where you can drop off the license without waiting.

Do not attempt to mail a license to the DMV or state licensing agency — they do not process lost-and-found items. The license belongs to the person whose name is on it, not to the government.

Key Takeaways

  • Check the back of the license for a phone number or mailing address and contact the owner directly if that information is printed there.
  • If you cannot find contact details on the license, take it to your local police station's non-emergency desk or lost-and-found window.
  • Do not send a found license to the DMV or state licensing agency — they will not process it or return it to the owner.
  • If the license was found in a business, restaurant, or public place, ask the manager or staff if anyone has reported it missing.
  • Never attempt to use someone else's license or keep it for yourself, even temporarily.

Returning a license found in a business or public place

If you found the license at a restaurant, store, gym, bank, or other business, hand it to a manager or staff member at the front desk when ready. Most businesses keep a lost-and-found and will hold items for a set period. The staff can also check their records to see if anyone has already reported it missing and may be able to contact the owner.

Leave your name and phone number with the staff member only if you want to follow up later — this is optional. The business will handle the return from that point forward.

Returning a license found in a vehicle or at home

If you found a license in a car you were driving (a rental, borrowed vehicle, or taxi), return it to the rental company, the car's owner, or the taxi dispatcher when ready. These organizations often have systems to track lost items and contact owners.

If you found a license at your home — perhaps left behind by a visitor or contractor — try calling the phone number on the back of the license first. If that doesn't work, take it to the police station. Do not hold onto it or attempt to track down the person through social media or other means.

What happens after you return the license

Once the license is returned to its owner, they do not need to do anything special with the DMV. A found and returned license is still valid and does not need to be replaced or reissued. The person can straightforward use it as normal.

If the license was damaged during the time it was lost, or if the owner prefers a replacement for any reason, they can request a replacement license from their state DMV — but that is their choice to make, not a requirement.

If the license has been missing for a long time

If you found a license that appears to have been lost for weeks or months, it may be too late to return it to the owner through the contact information on the back — phone numbers and addresses change. In this case, take it to your local police station. They can run the license number through their system and attempt to locate the person, or they can hold it in case the owner comes looking for it.

Some police departments also accept old or expired licenses for proper disposal, so if you find a very old license with no way to contact the owner, the police station is still the right place to take it.

Protecting yourself when returning a license

You do not need to provide your personal information to return a found license. If you choose to call the owner, you can straightforward say "I found your license" and arrange a time and place to return it. Meeting in a public place — a coffee shop, library, or police station — is always safer than meeting at a private location.

If you feel uncomfortable contacting the owner directly, skip that step and take the license to the police instead. There is no obligation to personally return it; the police can handle the entire process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mail a found license directly to the DMV?

No. The DMV does not process lost-and-found items. Mail the license to the address printed on the back of the license itself, or take it to your local police station instead.

What if the license is damaged or the information is hard to read?

Take it to the police station. They can run the license number through their system even if the card is worn or partially damaged, and they can contact the owner on your behalf.

Do I have to give the owner my name and number when I return it?

No. You can return a license anonymously by leaving it with a business, mailing it, or turning it in to police without providing your contact information. Giving your name is optional.

What if I found a license but the person's address on it is from another state?

Call the phone number on the back if one is listed. If there's no phone number, take it to your local police station — they can contact the person or forward it to the appropriate state agency.

Is it illegal to keep a found license?

Keeping someone else's license without attempting to return it can be treated as theft in some jurisdictions. Return it promptly to the owner, a business, or police to avoid any legal issues.