How do I replace a lost driving licence?

For people who have lost their driving licence.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales Last checked against official sources: 30 September 2026

Apply online; a replacement costs £20 and should arrive within a week.

Tell the police if it was stolen.
If you find your old licence later, send it back to DVLA.
Northern Ireland has a different service.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

£20
Within a week
Report theft to police

What you need

To replace your licence online you must:

live in Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales)
not be disqualified (banned) from driving for any reason
have a debit or credit card to pay the £20 fee

When you sign in, you will be told if you need to prove your identity. This usually means using photo ID, like a passport. You do not need the old paper counterpart of your licence.

How to replace it online

If your licence was stolen, tell the police first.
Go to the DVLA 'replace a driving licence' service on GOV.UK.
Sign in, and prove your identity if you are asked to.
Check your details and pay £20.
Wait for your new licence. It should arrive within a week.

Other ways to apply

By phone: you can call DVLA if you have a photocard licence and none of your details have changed. You cannot use the phone service if your licence is damaged, or if it runs out in less than 56 days (90 days if it is expiring for medical reasons).

By post: fill in form D1 (for cars and motorcycles) or D2 (for lorries and buses). Most Post Offices have them. Send the form with the fee shown on it. If you are changing your name, include original documents that prove it.

If you have an old paper licence, you also need to send:

original documents confirming your identity
a passport-type photo
your paper licence, if it has been damaged

Time and cost

How you apply	Cost	How long
Online	£20	Within a week
By post (form D1)	£20	About 3 weeks

After you apply

If you find your old licence after you get the new one, you must send the old one back to DVLA.

If you live in Northern Ireland

Licences in Northern Ireland are issued by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA), so you cannot use the DVLA service. A replacement for a lost or stolen licence costs £30.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Replace your licence

Common questions

What should I do if my driving licence was stolen?

Contact the police, then apply to DVLA for a replacement licence.

Can I replace my driving licence by phone?

Yes, if you have a photocard licence and none of your details have changed. You cannot apply by phone if your licence is damaged or expires in less than 56 days.

How long does a replacement licence take by post?

If you apply by post, your licence should arrive in about 3 weeks, or longer if your medical or personal details need checking.

What should I do if I find my old driving licence?

You must send it back to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AB, explaining what has happened.

Official sources

1.Replace a lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed driving licencewww.gov.uk/replace-a-driving-licence
2.Replace a driving licence: apply by phone or by postwww.gov.uk/replace-a-driving-licence/apply-by-phone-or-by-post

Checked against GOV.UK on 30 September 2026

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