what to do if youve lost your drivers license
You're reading ane of our "Beginner Driver's Guide" articles. Need to practice for your upcoming exam? Take our free sample driving test -- no registration required! ✨
Losing your driver's license can be a major hassle equally well as a potential security risk. Whether you were out with friends at a restaurant or hiking in the woods with your dog, realizing that you've lost your license can give you a sinking feeling as all the "what-if's" run through your mind. Simply don't despair! Losing your driver'due south license is inconvenient but it has happened to many people.
While losing your driver's license is nothing to panic over, it is important to take proactive steps as soon equally possible. The virtually important reason for this is to prevent someone from using your license fraudulently. This tin be in the class of identity theft or from someone falsely claiming to be you while driving. By reporting that you've lost your license to the proper authorities you lot'll create a paper trail that tin help y'all down the road if any of these issues arise.
Before you become besides worried about the consequences of losing your license we've created a step-by-pace guide and infographic to help you learn what you demand to do.
Start Things Beginning: Try to Call back Where You lot Lost It
The commencement matter to practise is to endeavour and remember where you lot may have lost your license so y'all tin retrace your steps in the promise of finding it once again. Take a moment to think about the concluding time you saw your license. From that moment until now, where take yous been? It can be helpful to write downwardly each of the places you've visited in sequential social club from the concluding time you saw your license to the moment yous realized it was missing.
Another important thing to consider is how the license went missing. Is there a hole in your pocket? Did it fall out of an open up bag or bag? Maybe someone asked to check your license but they forgot to requite it dorsum? If you can figure out how you lost your license and then this tin can quickly narrow down the list of places yous'll need to check to try and recover your license.
If your license just went missing in the last few minutes or hours and you don't have a strong idea of how it went missing and so try to retrace your movements in a contrary chronological society starting with the nearly recent identify you visited. If outdoors, keep your optics on the ground and visually scan the area direct in front of you lot. If you recently visited an establishment like a eatery or a bank, enquire an employee to see if anybody has turned in a commuter'southward license.
When all else fails and you tin can't seem to find your lost license, here are the next steps to take.
Next Steps to Take
By now you lot've taken the time to effort and think where you may have lost your license and carefully retraced your steps. If you still tin can't observe your license then it'due south time to take action by taking the steps necessary to get a replacement. There are 2 options when it comes to replacing your license: online or in-person. The online option is ideal as y'all can provide all the necessary information that the DMV needs from the comfort of your own home. Some other advantage is that yous don't demand to wait for an appointment and you can access the online system 24/seven.
If you prefer to request a replacement in-person it's important to make a reservation as shortly as possible. You lot all the same may exist able to walk-in during the DMV's business organisation hours just at that place is a adept chance you will be waiting for an extended period of time and at that place are no guarantees that they will be able to aid you as nigh DMVs piece of work on a first-come up, first-serve basis.
To help guide you through both the online and in-person options, we've outlined the steps y'all demand to take to get your replacement drivers license:
Request a Replacement Driver's License Online
-
i
Report Your License Lost or Stolen
Some states crave you lot to file a police report if your driver'southward license has been lost or stolen. Whether it is required or non it is always a adept idea to report your lost driver's license to the police force and then that you tin can begin to create a paper trail in the upshot that someone fraudulently uses your license.
-
2
Bank check Your State's DMV Website for Instructions
The first step is to bank check your state's DMV to determine the appropriate steps to take. Virtually states allow you to consummate your replacement request online but information technology is of import to cheque to make sure this is true for your country.
-
three
Complete the Replacement Request Form
If your state requires a replacement license application and so you lot will find it on your country's DMV website. Typically this is a multi-step class that will crave you to enter your personal information that matches with the records on file with your state's DMV.
-
iv
Submit the Paperwork via the DMV Website & Pay the Associated Fee
Typically the fee for a replacement license ranges from $15-$30 depending on the country in which you reside. This fee covers a replacement carte du jour only. When information technology comes fourth dimension to renew your commuter's license yous will nevertheless accept to pay the license renewal fee.
After completing the replacement asking grade and adding your payment information you lot will be able to submit your information to the DMV. After completing the form you will be presented with a confirmation page. It is a expert thought to print a copy for your records.
Normally information technology is at this fourth dimension that you can print your temporary license. This will allow y'all to continue to drive while you await for your official replacement license to arrive in the mail.
-
5
Look For Your License to Arrive
Later on submitting your replacement license application, paying the associated fee and submitting the form, you will need to wait for your replacement license to be mailed to you. It can take anywhere from 2-iv weeks to receive your replacement license depending on your country's policies.
Request a Replacement Driver'southward License In-Person
-
1
Report Your License Lost or Stolen
Some states require you to file a police report if your driver'southward license has been lost or stolen. Whether it is required or not it is always a good idea to study your lost commuter'south license to the police force so that you can begin to create a paper trail in the event that someone fraudulently uses your license.
-
ii
Request an Appointment at the DMV
Call or go online to request an engagement with your state'due south DMV. Time slots can make full rapidly so information technology's of import to try and asking an appointment as soon as possible. Y'all may be able to walk in and look for a no-evidence appointment -- but be prepared to wait for a long period of time. There is a adventure that if you walk into a DMV without an engagement that you might not become the chance to renew your license as walk-ins generally operate on a first-come, first-serve basis.
-
3
Complete the Replacement Asking Form
If your state requires a replacement license awarding then yous will find information technology on your state's DMV website. Typically this is a multi-step class that will require y'all to enter your personal information that matches with the records on file with your land's DMV. When requesting a replacement in-person you will need to provide the pieces of identification that they asking. A list of acceptable forms of ID volition be bachelor on your state's DMV website.
-
4
Drop Off Your Paperwork at the DMV & Pay the Associated Fee
When information technology's fourth dimension for your engagement, an employee of the DMV volition be able to take your paperwork and verify your pieces of ID. Be sure to cheque the DMV website or call alee of fourth dimension so that yous know which pieces of ID to bring with yous.
Typically the fee for a replacement license ranges from $15-$30 depending on the land in which you reside. This fee covers a replacement carte du jour only. When it comes time to renew your driver'southward license you will notwithstanding accept to pay the license renewal fee which varies state to state. You'll pay the renewal fee at the DMV at the aforementioned time you drop off your paperwork.
-
5
Receive Your License
You lot'll be issued your new license after your paperwork has been accepted and your ID has been verified.
Replacement Fee Schedule
Detect out how much it will cost to supersede your license using the table below. For some states the replacement fee is dependent on the length of time the license is valid for. For instance some states offer 2 dissimilar options where yous can obtain a license with a standard validity period or an extended validity period.
Land Fee Alabama $31.25 Alaska $15 Arizona $12 Arkansas $x California $36 Colorado $12 Connecticut $30 Delaware $20 Florida $25 Georgia $five Hawaii $6 Idaho $15 Illinois $5 Indiana $9 Iowa $10 Kansas $16 Kentucky $12 Louisiana $13 to $17 Maine $5 Maryland $xx Massachusetts $25 Michigan $nine Minnesota $17 Mississippi $11 Missouri $26 to $32 Montana $10.30 Nebraska $15.50 Nevada $18.25 New Hampshire $x New Jersey $xi New Mexico $18 to $34 New York $17.50 North Carolina $thirteen Northward Dakota $8 Ohio $26 Oklahoma $25 Oregon $26 Pennsylvania $30.50 Rhode Island $27.50 South Carolina $10 South Dakota $15 Tennessee $8 Texas $11 Utah $23 Vermont $xx Virginia $20 Washington $20 West Virginia $x Wisconsin $14 Wyoming $30 Special Considerations
There are certain circumstances that may forbid you from being able to supersede your lost drivers license. In full general, your license will need to accept been in practiced continuing previous to losing it in order to request a replacement. If any of the special circumstances mentioned below use to yous and so make sure to call your local DMV direct as they will exist able to provide information specific to your state.
Your License Expires Soon
Depending on the state in which you reside, y'all might be required to renew your drivers license instead of replacing it if the license is expiring soon. Check with your state's DMV to determine whether you lot should exist replacing your license or renewing it.
Your License Isn't Valid
If your license expired earlier you lost it and then y'all may need to pay an additional fee. The fee depends on how long the license is past its expiration engagement and varies state to state.
In most states if your license is suspended you volition demand to take your license reinstated before y'all tin can go a replacement. Some of the reasons for having your license suspended include:
- DUI/DWI confidence
- Excessive speeding tickets
- Too many points on your driving record
- Reckless driving charge
- Not paying child support
- Using your license to commit fraud
- Drug offense conviction
- Skipping school (under xviii)
- Boating while intoxicated
- Defaulting on your student loans
- Advocating for the overthrow of the government
- Committing an human action of vandalism
- Assaulting another motorist (road rage)
- Operating an amusement ride while intoxicated
You've Moved to Another State
In most cases if you've moved to another state and lost your license you'll have to go through the process of obtaining a replacement license in the original country before applying in the new state. This is meant to preclude criminals from acquiring a fraudulent license. Proceed in mind that most states are part of the Driver'south License Meaty (DLC) so your driving record volition follow you to your new land.
You've Changed Your Proper name
In some cases you won't be able to supervene upon your license online if you've changed your name and your current proper noun is not the same as the one that your state's licensing section has on file. In this case it's best to contact your country'southward DMV directly and ask most the best way to proceed in this circumstance.
Frequently asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it dangerous to lose your driver'due south license?
Losing your driver's license tin can be potentially dangerous every bit criminals can use your license to steal your identity and commit other crimes while impersonating yous. It's ever a good thought to report your license to the police to create a paper trail. This may be helpful in the result somebody finds your license and uses it for illicit purposes.
Can you drive while waiting for a replacement license?
In order to operate a vehicle on public roadways you volition need to have a temporary license in your possession. You lot can obtain a temporary license online in some states too as at your nearest DMV. Make certain to check what documents you'll demand to bring with you. Yous can discover this data by checking your land's DMV website or by calling them directly.
What to do if yous lose your driver's license while traveling?
The first thing you should practice if yous lose your commuter's license while traveling is to file a police force study. This will start a paper trail and yous tin reference your case number in the event you run into whatsoever difficulties.
The adjacent step is to endeavor and go your license replaced online. Many states allow yous to request a replacement online and this will allow you to print a temporary license that you can so use. If y'all don't have a printer that's ok as you can download the temporary license every bit a PDF to your phone.
What to do if yous lose your driver'due south license before a flying?
If yous lose your commuter's license before a flying you tin still board the plane in most cases. The TSA recognizes that unforeseen events do happen so in that location is a process in place in the event that you lot lost your license. The TSA agent assigned to check documents will be able to use whatsoever additional forms of ID you lot may accept on y'all. They will also ask y'all personal questions that they can verify using a public database. There is a chance that if you are unable to reply the questions correctly then yous might not be able to lath your flying.
Source: https://driving-tests.org/beginner-drivers/what-to-do-if-you-lose-your-drivers-license/
0 Response to "what to do if youve lost your drivers license"
Post a Comment