Lost Driving Licence? How to Get a Replacement (£20, Step by Step)

Losing your driving licence is annoying but not a crisis. Your legal entitlement to drive comes from holding a valid licence, not from physically carrying the card — so a lost card doesn't make you unlicensed. But you do need to replace it: you can't hire a car, prove your entitlement to an employer, or show it to an examiner without the card. This guide covers the £20 replacement process, how long it takes, and what to do in the meantime.

Step 1: Decide whether it's actually lost or stolen Check thoroughly first — jackets, bags, between car seats, the "safe place" you forgot about. If you genuinely believe it was stolen, GOV.UK advises contacting the police before you apply. That's not a legal precondition for getting a replacement, but it's sensible practice, particularly if other identity documents went missing at the same time — a crime reference number matters if the licence is later misused for identity fraud.

If it was damaged (washer incident, cracked card) or destroyed, the replacement process is exactly the same.

Step 2: Choose how to apply Online — fastest (£20) GOV.UK's "replace a lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed driving licence" service is the quickest route. To apply you must:

Be a resident of Great Britain (there's a separate process in Northern Ireland) Not be disqualified from driving Pay the £20 fee by debit or credit card. DVLA sends a confirmation email once the application is in, and according to GOV.UK your licence should arrive within a week. Track the application on GOV.UK's "view driving licence" service with your licence number, National Insurance number and postcode — if you can't remember your licence number, see our guide to finding your driving licence number.

By phone (£20) You can apply by phone on 0300 790 6801, but only if your photocard is not damaged, none of your details have changed, and your licence doesn't expire within 56 days (90 days for medical reasons). Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am–7pm and Saturday 8am–2pm.

By post (£20) Get form D1 (car and motorbike) or D2 (lorry and bus) from a Post Office or order it from DVLA, complete it and send it with the fee to the DVLA address on the form. Postal applications take up to three weeks, longer if DVLA needs to make further checks.

While you wait: what you can and can't do Your entitlement to drive comes from holding a valid licence for that class of vehicle — not from possessing the physical card. So:

You can drive your own car normally (assuming the licence was in date and you're not disqualified). You can't hire a car. Rental desks need the physical card plus a check code — you can generate a check code free on GOV.UK's "view or share your driving licence information" service, but most hire companies still won't release a car without the card itself. Employers may not accept you for driving duties until the replacement arrives — a check code helps in some cases, so it's worth generating one. If police ask to see your licence, you must produce it — but there's a defence if you produce it at a nominated police station within 7 days (or as soon as reasonably practicable). If you've got a driving test coming up, talk to your instructor. Examiners check your licence before the test starts; without the card, the test can't go ahead and the fee is lost. If the replacement won't arrive in time, move the test appointment rather than turning up hoping for leniency.

Learner drivers: lost provisional licence The process for a lost provisional licence is identical — £20, same three routes. But the consequences are sharper: you can't take lessons or sit a theory or practical test without the physical card (or a valid replacement). Get the online application done the same day you realise it's gone. Our dedicated guide to a lost provisional licence covers learner-specific wrinkles, including what to do if your theory test is this week.

Protecting yourself while the card is missing A driving licence is an identity document, which is why losing one deserves a little more care than losing a loyalty card.

If it was stolen, report it to the police — GOV.UK's stated advice. If other documents (passport, bank cards) went at the same time, treat it as an identity-theft risk, not just a lost card. Watch your post and accounts for anything unexpected in the weeks after — a licence can be used to support fraudulent applications. Order the replacement promptly. Ordering a replacement invalidates the old card's usefulness as a current document, which is another reason not to "wait and see" for a fortnight. Don't drive on someone else's say-so. If an employer, hire company or instructor asks to see the card, explain the situation and show the DVLA confirmation email and a check code — but accept that some will still say no until the card arrives. That's their policy, and arguing rarely changes it. Keep a photo of your licence (front and back) somewhere secure from now on. It makes everything in this guide faster next time — your licence number, categories and expiry date are all visible at a glance. If you don't know your licence number You can still apply. The online replacement service verifies you through your DVLA sign-in and identity checks rather than relying on the licence number alone. And once you're into GOV.UK's "view driving licence" service (with your National Insurance number and postcode), you can see your licence number, categories and endorsements on screen — useful if you're mid-application for insurance or a job and need the details before the card lands.

If the old licence turns up later Check the back of the sofa one more time before paying — because if your old card resurfaces after you've applied for or received a replacement, you must send the old one back to DVLA with a note explaining what happened. The address: DVLA, Swansea SA99 1AB. You can't keep a spare, and you can't hand it to a family member.

Frequently asked questions How much does it cost to replace a lost driving licence? £20, whichever route you use — online, phone or post. Pay by debit or credit card online; the fee is set by DVLA.

How long does a replacement licence take? Around a week if you apply online, according to GOV.UK. Postal applications take up to three weeks.

Can I drive while waiting for a replacement licence? Yes, if your licence was in date and you're not disqualified. Your legal entitlement to drive doesn't depend on carrying the physical card — though you may struggle to hire cars or satisfy employers until it arrives.

Do I need to report a lost licence to the police? Only if it was stolen — GOV.UK advises contacting the police in that case. There's no requirement to report a simply lost licence, though do consider identity-fraud precautions if other documents went missing too.

What if I find my old licence after ordering a replacement? You must return the old licence to DVLA (Swansea SA99 1AB) with a note explaining what happened. You can't keep it as a spare.

Does a replacement affect my theory test or practical test booking? The bookings are tied to your licence number, which doesn't change — but examiners check the physical card on test day. If the replacement won't arrive in time, move your appointment.