Report the theft to your state DMV and local police when ready

When your driver's license is stolen, you need to report it to two places: your state's Department of Motor Vehicles and your local police department. The DMV report flags your license number in their system so it cannot be used fraudulently. The police report creates an official record you may need later if someone uses your stolen license or personal information.

Contact your state DMV first — most allow you to report a stolen license by phone, online, or in person. Have your license number ready if you know it, along with your full name and date of birth. The DMV will typically deactivate your license when ready and begin processing a replacement. Then file a police report with your local police department or sheriff's office, either online or in person, depending on what your jurisdiction offers.

Do not wait to see if the license turns up. A stolen license in someone else's hands can be used to open accounts, rent property, or commit crimes in your name. Acting fast limits your liability and creates a paper trail if fraud does occur.

Key Takeaways

  • Report the theft to your DMV by phone, online, or in person — most states process the report the same day and deactivate your license when ready.
  • File a police report with your local police department or sheriff's office to create an official record of the theft.
  • You will need to order a replacement license from your DMV, which usually costs between $15 and $35 depending on your state.
  • Place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to monitor for identity theft.
  • Keep copies of your police report and DMV deactivation confirmation for your records and to show creditors if fraud occurs.

Contact your DMV by the fastest method available in your state

Most states offer multiple ways to report a stolen license. Check your state DMV website first — many now have an online form you can fill out and submit when ready, which is faster than calling. If your state does not offer online reporting, call the DMV's customer service line. Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address ready.

Some states allow you to report a stolen license through their mobile app or by visiting a DMV office in person. In-person reporting is useful if you need to order your replacement license at the same time, but it takes longer than a phone call or online submission. If you are out of state or cannot visit an office, phone or online reporting will work just as well.

When you report the theft, ask the DMV representative for a confirmation number or reference number. Write this down — you will need it to track your replacement license and to prove you reported the theft if questions arise later.

File a police report with your local law enforcement agency

Contact your local police department's non-emergency line or visit their website to file a report. Many police departments now accept theft reports online through their website or a dedicated reporting portal. If you file online, you will receive a report number when ready. If you call or visit in person, the officer will give you a report number and a copy of the report.

Tell the officer when and where you discovered the license was missing, and whether you know how it was stolen (lost at a store, taken from your car, lost during travel, etc.). Provide your license number if you know it, your full name, date of birth, and current address. The officer may ask whether you have already reported it to the DMV — you can say yes or that you are doing so today.

Keep a copy of the police report. You may need it to show banks, credit card companies, or other creditors if someone tries to use your stolen license to commit fraud. The report number alone is often enough, but having the full report is stronger proof.

Order your replacement license from the DMV

After you report the theft, you will need to order a replacement license. Some states let you do this at the same time you report the theft; others require you to wait a day or two for the deactivation to process. Check your state DMV website for the specific process.

You can usually order a replacement online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. Ordering online is fastest — most states mail the replacement within 7 to 14 business days. By mail takes longer (typically 2 to 3 weeks) but requires no office visit. In-person replacement is when ready in some states but requires a trip to the DMV and may have longer wait times.

The replacement fee varies by state, typically between $15 and $35. Some states waive the fee if you report the theft within a certain timeframe (often 30 days). Ask about this when you order. You will need to provide proof of identity — usually a passport, birth certificate, or other government-issued ID — even though you are replacing a stolen license.

Place a fraud alert with credit bureaus to monitor for identity theft

A stolen driver's license can be used to open credit accounts or take out loans in your name. Protect yourself by placing a fraud alert with the three major credit reporting bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. A fraud alert tells creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name.

You only need to contact one bureau — they are required to notify the other two. Call or visit their websites to place the alert. Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; Experian: 1-888-397-3742; TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289. The initial fraud alert lasts one year and is free. If you want longer protection, you can place an extended fraud alert (seven years) or freeze your credit entirely, though a freeze requires separate requests to each bureau.

After placing the alert, check your credit reports at annualcreditreport.com (the official free site) to look for accounts you did not open. If you find fraudulent accounts, contact the creditor and the credit bureau when ready to dispute them.

Watch for signs of identity theft in the weeks after the theft

Even with a fraud alert in place, monitor your accounts closely for the next several months. Check your bank and credit card statements weekly for charges you did not make. Watch for bills or statements arriving for accounts you did not open. If you receive a notice of a loan process, credit inquiry, or new account in your name, contact the creditor when ready and report it as fraud.

If someone uses your stolen license to get pulled over or cited, you may receive a notice from a court or law enforcement agency. If this happens, bring your police report and DMV deactivation confirmation to the court or police department to prove the license was stolen and you were not the one driving. This is rare but possible, so keep your documentation.

If you discover fraud, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov. The FTC will create an Identity Theft Report, which you can use to dispute fraudulent accounts with creditors and credit bureaus more easily than with a police report alone.

Keep documentation of the theft and replacement for your records

Save all documents related to the theft: the DMV confirmation number, the police report number and a copy of the report, the fraud alert confirmation from the credit bureaus, and your replacement license when it arrives. Store these in a safe place — a folder at home, a safe deposit box, or a find cloud storage account.

If fraud does occur, you will need these documents to prove you reported the theft and took steps to protect yourself. Creditors and credit bureaus are more likely to remove fraudulent accounts if you can show you acted quickly and reported the theft to authorities.

Once your replacement license arrives, destroy the old one if you find it. Do not throw it in the trash — shred it or cut it up so it cannot be reassembled and used. If you never find it, do not worry — the DMV deactivation means it cannot be used legally, and your fraud alert will catch most attempts to use it for credit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a temporary license while I wait for my replacement?

Some states issue a temporary paper license or digital license on the spot if you visit a DMV office in person and report the theft at the same time. Others mail only the permanent replacement. Check your state DMV website or call to ask whether a temporary license is available — if it is, visiting an office may be worth the trip if you need to drive before your replacement arrives.

What if someone gets pulled over with my stolen license?

Bring your police report and DMV deactivation confirmation to the court or police department handling the case. The officer or court will see that the license was reported stolen and deactivated, which should clear you. If you are charged or cited, contact a lawyer — this is rare but serious enough to warrant legal help.

Do I need to report the theft to my insurance company?

You do not have to, but you may want to notify them so they have a record in case someone uses your license to file a false claim. Call your agent or the company's customer service line and mention that your license was stolen and you have filed a police report.

How long does it take for the DMV to deactivate my stolen license?

Most states deactivate a reported stolen license the same day or within 24 hours. Once deactivated, it cannot be used for legal purposes like boarding a plane or renting a car. Ask for a confirmation number when you report it so you can verify the deactivation if needed.

What if I find my license after I report it stolen?

If you find it, you can still use the replacement license you ordered — do not try to reactivate the old one. Destroy the old license by shredding or cutting it up. The DMV will not reactivate a license once it has been deactivated for theft, even if you find it.