What to Do When You Lose Your License
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Losing your driver's license can be a major hassle likewise as a potential security risk. Whether y'all were out with friends at a restaurant or hiking in the woods with your dog, realizing that you've lost your license can give yous a sinking feeling every bit all the "what-if'southward" run through your mind. Simply don't despair! Losing your driver'southward license is inconvenient but it has happened to many people.
While losing your driver'due south license is nothing to panic over, it is important to take proactive steps equally presently as possible. The most of import reason for this is to prevent someone from using your license fraudulently. This tin exist in the form of identity theft or from someone falsely claiming to be y'all while driving. By reporting that y'all've lost your license to the proper regime yous'll create a paper trail that can help you down the road if any of these issues arise.
Before yous get too worried about the consequences of losing your license we've created a step-by-step guide and infographic to help y'all acquire what y'all need to practice.
First Things Showtime: Try to Call back Where You Lost Information technology
The starting time affair to do is to try and recall where you may accept lost your license so yous can retrace your steps in the hope of finding it once more. Take a moment to recall about the last time you saw your license. From that moment until at present, where have you been? It tin can exist helpful to write down each of the places you've visited in sequential guild from the last time you lot saw your license to the moment y'all realized it was missing.
Another important matter to consider is how the license went missing. Is there a hole in your pocket? Did it autumn out of an open up bag or purse? Maybe someone asked to check your license simply they forgot to give it back? If y'all can figure out how you lot lost your license then this tin rapidly narrow downwards the list of places you'll need to check to try and recover your license.
If your license but went missing in the concluding few minutes or hours and yous don't have a strong idea of how it went missing then try to retrace your movements in a reverse chronological order starting with the most contempo place you visited. If outdoors, keep your eyes on the ground and visually scan the area straight in front of you. If you recently visited an establishment like a restaurant or a banking concern, ask an employee to see if anybody has turned in a commuter'south license.
When all else fails and you can't seem to find your lost license, here are the next steps to take.
Adjacent Steps to Take
By now yous've taken the time to try and think where you may take lost your license and advisedly retraced your steps. If y'all withal tin't discover your license then it's fourth dimension to take action by taking the steps necessary to get a replacement. There are 2 options when information technology 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 condolement of your ain home. Some other advantage is that yous don't need to wait for an appointment and yous can access the online system 24/7.
If you prefer to asking a replacement in-person it's of import to make a reservation equally soon as possible. Yous even so may exist able to walk-in during the DMV'due south business organization hours but there is a good risk you will be waiting for an extended flow of time and there are no guarantees that they will be able to help you equally most DMVs work on a showtime-come, first-serve basis.
To assist guide yous through both the online and in-person options, nosotros've outlined the steps y'all demand to have to get your replacement drivers license:
Asking a Replacement Driver'south License Online
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Written report Your License Lost or Stolen
Some states require you to file a police study if your commuter's license has been lost or stolen. Whether it is required or not information technology is always a good idea to study your lost driver'due south license to the police so that you can begin to create a paper trail in the event that someone fraudulently uses your license.
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Check Your Country'southward DMV Website for Instructions
The commencement step is to check your land's DMV to determine the appropriate steps to take. Most states permit y'all to complete your replacement asking online but it is important to check to brand sure this is truthful for your land.
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Complete the Replacement Request Grade
If your country requires a replacement license application then y'all will discover it on your land'due south DMV website. Typically this is a multi-step class that will require you to enter your personal information that matches with the records on file with your country's DMV.
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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 land in which you reside. This fee covers a replacement card only. When it comes time to renew your commuter's license you will still take to pay the license renewal fee.
After completing the replacement request grade and calculation your payment information you volition exist able to submit your information to the DMV. After completing the class y'all will exist presented with a confirmation page. It is a good idea to print a copy for your records.
Usually it is at this fourth dimension that yous can print your temporary license. This volition allow you to continue to bulldoze while you lot wait for your official replacement license to arrive in the mail.
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Wait For Your License to Arrive
After submitting your replacement license application, paying the associated fee and submitting the form, yous will need to wait for your replacement license to be mailed to you. Information technology can accept anywhere from two-4 weeks to receive your replacement license depending on your land'southward policies.
Request a Replacement Driver's License In-Person
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Written report Your License Lost or Stolen
Some states crave y'all to file a law report if your driver's license has been lost or stolen. Whether it is required or non it is ever a adept idea to report your lost driver's license to the police force and then that you can begin to create a newspaper trail in the result that someone fraudulently uses your license.
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Request an Date at the DMV
Call or go online to asking an appointment with your state'southward DMV. Time slots can make full quickly so information technology'south important to endeavor and request an appointment every bit soon as possible. Yous may exist able to walk in and wait for a no-show appointment -- just be prepared to wait for a long period of fourth dimension. There is a adventure that if you walk into a DMV without an date that you might not get the run a risk to renew your license as walk-ins generally operate on a first-come, first-serve footing.
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Complete the Replacement Asking Form
If your land requires a replacement license awarding then you volition notice it on your state'due south DMV website. Typically this is a multi-pace class that will require you to enter your personal information that matches with the records on file with your state's DMV. When requesting a replacement in-person you will need to provide the pieces of identification that they request. A list of acceptable forms of ID will be available on your land's DMV website.
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Drop Off Your Paperwork at the DMV & Pay the Associated Fee
When it's time for your date, an employee of the DMV will exist able to take your paperwork and verify your pieces of ID. Be sure to check the DMV website or call ahead of time so that you know which pieces of ID to bring with you.
Typically the fee for a replacement license ranges from $fifteen-$30 depending on the land in which y'all reside. This fee covers a replacement carte du jour simply. When it comes fourth dimension to renew your commuter'due south license you will withal take to pay the license renewal fee which varies state to country. You'll pay the renewal fee at the DMV at the same time y'all drop off your paperwork.
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Receive Your License
You'll be issued your new license after your paperwork has been accustomed and your ID has been verified.
Replacement Fee Schedule
Notice out how much it will cost to supplant your license using the tabular array beneath. For some states the replacement fee is dependent on the length of time the license is valid for. For case some states offer 2 dissimilar options where you lot can obtain a license with a standard validity period or an extended validity menses.
State Fee Alabama $31.25 Alaska $15 Arizona $12 Arkansas $10 California $36 Colorado $12 Connecticut $30 Delaware $20 Florida $25 Georgia $5 Hawaii $vi Idaho $xv Illinois $5 Indiana $9 Iowa $x Kansas $xvi Kentucky $12 Louisiana $xiii to $17 Maine $5 Maryland $20 Massachusetts $25 Michigan $9 Minnesota $17 Mississippi $11 Missouri $26 to $32 Montana $x.xxx Nebraska $15.50 Nevada $18.25 New Hampshire $10 New Jersey $11 New Mexico $18 to $34 New York $17.fifty North Carolina $13 North Dakota $8 Ohio $26 Oklahoma $25 Oregon $26 Pennsylvania $thirty.l Rhode Island $27.l South Carolina $10 Southward Dakota $15 Tennessee $8 Texas $11 Utah $23 Vermont $20 Virginia $20 Washington $20 West Virginia $x Wisconsin $xiv Wyoming $30 Special Considerations
There are certain circumstances that may prevent you from being able to replace your lost drivers license. In general, your license will demand to have been in expert standing previous to losing information technology in order to request a replacement. If any of the special circumstances mentioned beneath apply to you then brand sure to call your local DMV directly equally they will be able to provide information specific to your state.
Your License Expires Soon
Depending on the state in which y'all reside, yous 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 decide whether you should be replacing your license or renewing information technology.
Your License Isn't Valid
If your license expired earlier yous lost it then you may need to pay an additional fee. The fee depends on how long the license is past its expiration date and varies country to state.
In virtually states if your license is suspended you will need to have your license reinstated earlier you can get a replacement. Some of the reasons for having your license suspended include:
- DUI/DWI conviction
- Excessive speeding tickets
- Besides many points on your driving record
- Reckless driving accuse
- Non paying kid support
- Using your license to commit fraud
- Drug offense confidence
- Skipping schoolhouse (under 18)
- Boating while intoxicated
- Defaulting on your student loans
- Advocating for the overthrow of the government
- Committing an act of vandalism
- Assaulting another motorist (route 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 yous'll have to go through the process of obtaining a replacement license in the original state before applying in the new state. This is meant to prevent criminals from acquiring a fraudulent license. Keep in mind that most states are part of the Driver's License Compact (DLC) so your driving record will follow you to your new country.
You've Changed Your Name
In some cases you won't be able to supersede your license online if you've changed your name and your current name is not the same every bit the i that your state's licensing department has on file. In this case it'southward best to contact your state's DMV directly and ask about the all-time way to keep in this circumstance.
Frequently asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it dangerous to lose your commuter's license?
Losing your driver's license tin be potentially dangerous equally criminals can utilize your license to steal your identity and commit other crimes while impersonating you. Information technology'due south always a good idea to report your license to the law to create a paper trail. This may be helpful in the event 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 will need to take a temporary license in your possession. Y'all can obtain a temporary license online in some states likewise as at your nearest DMV. Make sure to check what documents you'll need to bring with you. You can notice this information by checking your state's DMV website or by calling them direct.
What to do if you lose your driver's license while traveling?
The offset thing you should do if you lot lose your driver'south license while traveling is to file a police report. This volition start a paper trail and yous tin reference your case number in the issue you encounter any difficulties.
The next step is to try and get your license replaced online. Many states let you to request a replacement online and this will allow you lot to print a temporary license that y'all can then use. If you don't have a printer that'due south ok as yous tin download the temporary license every bit a PDF to your phone.
What to do if you lose your driver's license before a flight?
If you lose your driver'southward license earlier a flying you can still board the plane in about cases. The TSA recognizes that unforeseen events do happen so there is a process in place in the outcome that you lost your license. The TSA amanuensis assigned to check documents will exist able to use whatsoever additional forms of ID you may have on you. They will also inquire you lot personal questions that they can verify using a public database. At that place is a chance that if you are unable to answer the questions correctly then yous might not be able to board your flight.
Source: https://driving-tests.org/beginner-drivers/what-to-do-if-you-lose-your-drivers-license/
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