What to Do if Your Drivers License Is Stolen
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Losing your driver'southward license tin exist a major hassle as well as a potential security run a risk. Whether yous 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 equally all the "what-if'south" run through your listen. Just don't despair! Losing your driver's license is inconvenient but it has happened to many people.
While losing your commuter'southward license is zip to panic over, it is important to take proactive steps as soon as possible. The most important reason for this is to preclude someone from using your license fraudulently. This tin be in the grade of identity theft or from someone falsely claiming to be you while driving. Past reporting that yous've lost your license to the proper authorities y'all'll create a paper trail that tin can help y'all downward the route if whatsoever of these bug arise.
Before you get too worried about the consequences of losing your license we've created a step-by-step guide and infographic to help you learn what you need to do.
First Things Showtime: Try to Call up Where Y'all Lost Information technology
The showtime affair to practise is to try and remember where you may have lost your license so you tin retrace your steps in the hope of finding it over again. Take a moment to think well-nigh the last fourth dimension y'all saw your license. From that moment until at present, where accept y'all been? Information technology can be helpful to write downwardly each of the places you've visited in sequential gild from the final time you saw your license to the moment you realized it was missing.
Another important thing to consider is how the license went missing. Is at that place a hole in your pocket? Did it fall out of an open bag or purse? Maybe someone asked to bank check your license but they forgot to give information technology back? If you tin figure out how y'all lost your license and then this can quickly narrow down the listing of places yous'll need to cheque to endeavour and recover your license.
If your license just went missing in the last few minutes or hours and you don't have a strong thought of how it went missing then try to retrace your movements in a contrary chronological lodge starting with the nearly contempo place you visited. If outdoors, continue your optics on the ground and visually scan the expanse direct in front of you. If you recently visited an establishment like a eatery or a banking concern, ask an employee to run across if anybody has turned in a commuter's license.
When all else fails and you can't seem to notice your lost license, here are the side by side steps to take.
Next Steps to Take
By now y'all've taken the time to attempt and remember where you may have lost your license and advisedly retraced your steps. If you lot however tin can't discover your license so information technology's time to take activity by taking the steps necessary to become a replacement. There are 2 options when information technology comes to replacing your license: online or in-person. The online pick is ideal as you lot can provide all the necessary data that the DMV needs from the comfort of your own home. Some other advantage is that you don't need to wait for an appointment and you tin can admission the online arrangement 24/7.
If yous prefer to asking a replacement in-person it's important to make a reservation as soon equally possible. You notwithstanding may be able to walk-in during the DMV's business concern hours but there is a good run a risk you volition be waiting for an extended period of time and there are no guarantees that they volition be able to assist you as nigh DMVs work on a first-come up, first-serve footing.
To assist guide you lot through both the online and in-person options, nosotros've outlined the steps you demand to take to get your replacement drivers license:
Asking a Replacement Commuter's License Online
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1
Report Your License Lost or Stolen
Some states require you to file a constabulary report if your driver'south license has been lost or stolen. Whether information technology is required or not information technology is always a proficient idea to report your lost driver's license to the constabulary so that you lot can brainstorm to create a paper trail in the event that someone fraudulently uses your license.
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2
Cheque Your State's DMV Website for Instructions
The showtime stride is to bank check your state's DMV to make up one's mind the appropriate steps to take. Most states allow you to complete your replacement asking online just it is of import to check to make sure this is true for your land.
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3
Complete the Replacement Asking Form
If your state requires a replacement license application and then y'all will discover it on your state's DMV website. Typically this is a multi-footstep form that volition require you to enter your personal information that matches with the records on file with your state'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 $15-$xxx depending on the state in which you reside. This fee covers a replacement carte only. When it comes time to renew your driver's license you volition withal have to pay the license renewal fee.
Afterward completing the replacement request form and adding your payment information you will be able to submit your data to the DMV. After completing the form you will exist presented with a confirmation page. It is a expert idea to print a copy for your records.
Usually it is at this time that you can print your temporary license. This will permit you to proceed to bulldoze while y'all look for your official replacement license to arrive in the mail.
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Wait For Your License to Make it
After submitting your replacement license application, paying the associated fee and submitting the form, you lot will demand to wait for your replacement license to be mailed to you. It can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks to receive your replacement license depending on your state's policies.
Request a Replacement Driver's License In-Person
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1
Written report Your License Lost or Stolen
Some states crave you to file a law report if your commuter's license has been lost or stolen. Whether information technology is required or not information technology is e'er a skilful idea to written report your lost commuter'southward license to the police force so that you tin can begin to create a paper trail in the event that someone fraudulently uses your license.
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Asking an Appointment at the DMV
Call or get online to asking an appointment with your state's DMV. Time slots can make full quickly so it's important to endeavor and request an appointment as soon as possible. You may be able to walk in and expect for a no-show appointment -- just be prepared to wait for a long flow of time. There is a chance that if yous walk into a DMV without an appointment that you might not get the chance to renew your license as walk-ins generally operate on a get-go-come, first-serve footing.
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3
Consummate the Replacement Asking Form
If your state requires a replacement license application and then you will detect information technology on your land'southward DMV website. Typically this is a multi-step form 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 lot will demand to provide the pieces of identification that they request. A list of acceptable forms of ID volition be available on your land's DMV website.
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Driblet Off Your Paperwork at the DMV & Pay the Associated Fee
When it's fourth dimension for your date, an employee of the DMV will be able to accept 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 $15-$30 depending on the country in which you reside. This fee covers a replacement card just. When information technology comes fourth dimension to renew your commuter's license you will still have to pay the license renewal fee which varies state to state. You'll pay the renewal fee at the DMV at the same time you driblet off your paperwork.
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5
Receive Your License
Yous'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 supervene upon 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 instance some states offer 2 unlike options where you can obtain a license with a standard validity period or an extended validity period.
Country Fee Alabama $31.25 Alaska $15 Arizona $12 Arkansas $10 California $36 Colorado $12 Connecticut $30 Delaware $20 Florida $25 Georgia $5 Hawaii $6 Idaho $xv Illinois $v Indiana $ix Iowa $ten Kansas $sixteen Kentucky $12 Louisiana $13 to $17 Maine $5 Maryland $20 Massachusetts $25 Michigan $9 Minnesota $17 Mississippi $11 Missouri $26 to $32 Montana $10.30 Nebraska $15.l Nevada $18.25 New Hampshire $10 New Jersey $11 New United mexican states $18 to $34 New York $17.50 North Carolina $13 North Dakota $8 Ohio $26 Oklahoma $25 Oregon $26 Pennsylvania $xxx.fifty Rhode Island $27.fifty South Carolina $10 South Dakota $15 Tennessee $8 Texas $eleven Utah $23 Vermont $20 Virginia $twenty Washington $20 West Virginia $10 Wisconsin $xiv Wyoming $thirty Special Considerations
In that location are certain circumstances that may preclude you from being able to replace your lost drivers license. In full general, your license will need to have been in good standing previous to losing it in order to asking a replacement. If whatsoever of the special circumstances mentioned below use to you then make certain to call your local DMV straight every bit they volition exist able to provide data specific to your country.
Your License Expires Soon
Depending on the state in which you reside, yous might be required to renew your drivers license instead of replacing information technology if the license is expiring soon. Check with your state'south DMV to determine whether you lot should be replacing your license or renewing it.
Your License Isn't Valid
If your license expired before you lot lost it so you may need to pay an boosted fee. The fee depends on how long the license is by its expiration date and varies state to state.
In most states if your license is suspended y'all volition need to have your license reinstated before you tin go a replacement. Some of the reasons for having your license suspended include:
- DUI/DWI conviction
- Excessive speeding tickets
- As well many points on your driving record
- Reckless driving charge
- Not paying child back up
- Using your license to commit fraud
- Drug criminal offence conviction
- Skipping school (under xviii)
- Boating while intoxicated
- Defaulting on your educatee loans
- Advocating for the overthrow of the regime
- Committing an act of vandalism
- Assaulting another motorist (route rage)
- Operating an amusement ride while intoxicated
You've Moved to Another State
In near cases if you've moved to another country and lost your license you'll have to become through the process of obtaining a replacement license in the original state earlier applying in the new country. This is meant to prevent criminals from acquiring a fraudulent license. Keep in mind that most states are function of the Commuter's License Compact (DLC) so your driving record will follow you to your new state.
You've Changed Your Proper name
In some cases you lot won't be able to replace your license online if you've changed your name and your current name is not the same as the i that your land's licensing section has on file. In this example it's best to contact your state'southward DMV directly and ask near the best way to go on in this circumstance.
Frequently asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it unsafe to lose your driver'southward license?
Losing your driver's license tin can exist potentially dangerous every bit criminals tin can apply your license to steal your identity and commit other crimes while impersonating you. It'due south ever a good idea to written report your license to the police 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 y'all will need to take a temporary license in your possession. You can obtain a temporary license online in some states likewise as at your nearest DMV. Make sure to cheque what documents you lot'll need to bring with y'all. Y'all can discover this data by checking your state'due south DMV website or by calling them straight.
What to do if y'all lose your driver's license while traveling?
The outset thing you should practice if you lose your driver's license while traveling is to file a police report. This will start a paper trail and you tin can reference your instance number in the upshot you come across whatever difficulties.
The next step is to try and get your license replaced online. Many states allow y'all to request a replacement online and this will allow yous to print a temporary license that you can then employ. If you don't have a printer that'southward ok as you lot can download the temporary license equally a PDF to your telephone.
What to do if you lose your driver's license before a flying?
If y'all lose your driver's license earlier a flight you tin still board the plane in most cases. The TSA recognizes that unforeseen events do happen and then at that place is a process in identify in the event that y'all lost your license. The TSA agent assigned to check documents will exist able to use any additional forms of ID you may have on you. They will also ask you personal questions that they can verify using a public database. There is a risk that if you lot are unable to answer the questions correctly then you lot 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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