Losing your driving licence can be inconvenient, especially if you need your licence details for work, vehicle hire, insurance or other situations where you need to confirm your driving entitlement. Fortunately, if you have lost your photocard driving licence in Great Britain, the process to replace lost driving licence is relatively straightforward.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) allows eligible drivers to replace a lost, stolen, damaged, defaced or destroyed full or provisional driving licence. The current replacement fee is £20, and GOV.UK states that an online replacement should normally arrive within one week.
In this guide, we explain how to replace lost driving licence, what information you need, how much it costs, how long it takes, what to do if your licence was stolen, and what happens if you find your original licence later.
For more useful information about UK driving licences, visit UK DVLA Driving Licence.
Important: This guide applies to Great Britain — England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has a separate driving licence system.
How to Replace Lost Driving Licence in the UK
If you have lost your driving licence, you generally do not need to apply for a completely new licence from the beginning. Instead, you can request a replacement from DVLA.
The simplest route for eligible drivers is the online service.
The basic process is:
- Check that your licence is genuinely lost.
- Sign in to the DVLA online service.
- Provide the information requested.
- Confirm your details.
- Pay the £20 replacement fee.
- Submit your application.
- Keep your confirmation email.
- Wait for your replacement licence to arrive.
GOV.UK confirms that the online replacement service can be used to replace a full or provisional driving licence that has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed.
If you are looking for information about applying for a licence for the first time, see our driving licence application guide.
What Should You Do When You Lose Your Driving Licence?
Before immediately submitting an application, take a few minutes to check whether your licence has simply been misplaced.
Search places such as:
- Your wallet or purse
- Your car
- Your home
- Your workplace
- Bags and backpacks
- Recent travel luggage
- Places where you recently used your identification
If you have searched thoroughly and cannot find it, you can begin the replacement process.
If you believe somebody has taken your licence, the situation is slightly different. GOV.UK advises contacting the police if your driving licence has been stolen.
For more information, read our guide to lost driving licence UK.
How to Replace Lost Driving Licence Online
For most eligible drivers, applying online is the quickest and most convenient way to replace a lost driving licence.
The official DVLA service requires you to sign in. If you do not already have sign-in details, GOV.UK says you can create them. DVLA may also tell you if you need to prove your identity.
Step 1: Access the DVLA replacement service
Use the official GOV.UK service for replacing a lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed driving licence.
Step 2: Sign in
Enter your DVLA account details. If you do not have an account, follow the instructions to create your sign-in details.
Step 3: Enter your information
Provide the personal information requested by DVLA.
Make sure the information you enter is accurate.
Step 4: Confirm your application
Review your details carefully before submitting the application.
Step 5: Pay the replacement fee
The current fee for replacing a lost driving licence is £20.
Step 6: Submit your application
Once you have completed the application and payment, submit it.
DVLA will send a confirmation email after an online application has been submitted.
Step 7: Wait for your new licence
GOV.UK says your replacement driving licence should arrive within one week if you apply online.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Lost Driving Licence?
The current DVLA fee to replace a lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed Great Britain driving licence is £20.
It is useful to understand that this is different from other DVLA transactions.
| DVLA service | Current fee |
|---|---|
| Replace lost driving licence | £20 |
| Replace stolen driving licence | £20 |
| Replace damaged driving licence | £20 |
| Replace destroyed driving licence | £20 |
| First provisional licence online | £34 |
| Renew an expired licence online | £14 |
Fees can change, so check the latest official DVLA information before making an application.
If you need to apply for your first provisional licence rather than replace a lost one, read our provisional driving licence UK guide.
How Long Does It Take to Replace a Lost Driving Licence?
One of the most common questions people ask after losing their licence is how quickly they can get a replacement.
Online application
If you apply online, GOV.UK states that your replacement licence should arrive within one week.
Postal application
If you apply by post, the licence should generally arrive within three weeks. It can take longer if DVLA needs to check your medical or personal details.
For this reason, an online application is generally the more convenient option when you are eligible to use it.
Can You Replace a Lost Provisional Driving Licence?
Yes.
The DVLA replacement service covers both:
- Full driving licences
- Provisional driving licences
GOV.UK specifically confirms that the online service can be used to replace a provisional licence that has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed.
This is particularly important for learner drivers who need their provisional licence information while taking lessons or preparing for their driving tests.
If you have never had a provisional licence before, however, you need to apply for your first provisional driving licence, rather than a replacement.
See our first provisional driving licence guide for more information.
What If Your Driving Licence Has Been Stolen?
If you believe your driving licence has been stolen rather than lost, GOV.UK advises contacting the police.
You can then apply for a replacement through DVLA.
The current fee is £20.
A stolen driving licence should be dealt with promptly because your licence contains personal information.
For additional information, see our replace lost driving licence resources.
What If Your Driving Licence Is Damaged?
You can also use the DVLA replacement service if your driving licence has been damaged or defaced.
Examples of damage can include:
- Cracked plastic
- Severe scratches
- Water damage
- Broken cards
- Illegible information
- Damage to the photograph
- Other physical deterioration
The current fee for replacing a damaged licence is £20.
Can You Replace a Lost Driving Licence by Post?
Yes.
If you cannot use the online service, you can apply by post.
For a car or motorcycle licence, you generally use form D1.
For a lorry or bus licence, you generally use form D2.
GOV.UK states that D1 and D2 forms are available from most Post Offices.
You then send the completed application to the address provided on the form together with the required fee and any necessary documents.
Postal applications should generally arrive within approximately three weeks, although additional checks can increase the processing time.
Can You Replace a Lost Driving Licence by Phone?
In certain circumstances, yes.
GOV.UK says you can apply by phone if:
- You have a photocard driving licence.
- None of your details have changed.
However, you cannot use the telephone service if your licence is damaged or if it expires within the specified period.
If you are eligible, telephone application provides another option for replacing your licence.
What Information Do You Need?
The exact information required can depend on your circumstances and application method.
Before starting your application, it is useful to have your personal information available.
This can include:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Current address
- Driving licence information, if known
- Other details requested by DVLA
- Payment information
If your name or other personal details have changed, you may need to follow a different process.
For example, DVLA provides specific guidance for changing a name on a driving licence. If the old licence has been lost, stolen or destroyed, you can still apply but may need to explain what happened and pay the £20 replacement fee.
What If You Have Changed Your Address?
If you have moved since your licence was issued, you should make sure DVLA has your current address.
Drivers are required to notify DVLA when they change their address.
Changing an address on a licence is normally free when you still have your existing licence. However, if you have lost the licence, the replacement process and £20 fee apply.
You can learn more about checking your licence information in our driving licence status guide.
Can You Check Your Driving Licence Details Online?
Yes.
The DVLA Driver and Vehicles Account allows drivers to access various licence-related services.
Depending on your circumstances, you can use it to:
- View your driving record
- Check penalty points
- Check disqualifications
- View vehicles you can drive
- Replace a lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed licence
- Change your address
- View a photograph associated with a valid photocard licence
- Create a driving licence check code
This can be particularly useful if you have lost your physical licence and need to access information about your driving record.
Read our check driving licence online guide for more information.
What Is a DVLA Driving Licence Check?
A DVLA driving licence check can help you access information about your driving record and entitlement.
Depending on the service, you may be able to check information such as:
- Driving categories
- Penalty points
- Disqualifications
- Driving record information
If you are researching how licence checks work, visit our DVLA licence check guide.
What Is a Driving Licence Check Code?
A driving licence check code is used to share your driving record with another person or organisation.
For example, you might need to provide a check code when hiring a car.
The DVLA Driver and Vehicles Account provides a facility for creating a licence check code that can be shared with another person or organisation.
See our driving licence check UK article for more information.
What Happens After You Apply?
Once you submit an online replacement application, DVLA sends a confirmation email.
You should keep this confirmation until your new licence arrives.
If your application is straightforward, GOV.UK says the replacement should arrive within approximately one week when applying online.
When the new licence arrives, check the details carefully.
Look at:
- Your name
- Date of birth
- Address
- Photograph
- Driving categories
- Licence dates
If you notice an error, contact DVLA using the appropriate official service.
What If You Find Your Lost Driving Licence Later?
Sometimes a driver finds their original licence after already submitting a replacement application.
If this happens, do not simply keep both licences.
GOV.UK states that if you find your old licence after applying for or receiving a replacement, you must return the old licence to DVLA and explain what happened.
This ensures that DVLA’s records remain accurate.
Lost Driving Licence vs Expired Driving Licence
It is important to distinguish between a lost driving licence and an expired driving licence.
Lost licence
If you have lost your valid licence, you need to apply for a replacement.
Current fee: £20.
Expired licence
If your photocard licence has reached its expiry date, you normally need to renew it.
The current online renewal fee is £14.
Therefore, don’t use the renewal service simply because you need a new physical card. If the licence is missing, the replacement service is the relevant process.
Lost Driving Licence Checklist
Before submitting your application, use this simple checklist:
- Search carefully for the original licence.
- Determine whether it is lost or stolen.
- Contact the police if you believe it was stolen.
- Check whether your address has changed.
- Check whether your name has changed.
- Gather your personal information.
- Sign in to your DVLA account.
- Complete the replacement application.
- Pay the £20 fee.
- Submit the application.
- Keep your confirmation email.
- Wait for your replacement licence.
- Check the new licence when it arrives.
- Return your old licence if you find it later.
Common Mistakes When Replacing a Lost Driving Licence
Applying for the Wrong Service
A lost licence requires a replacement. An expired licence requires a renewal.
Make sure you select the correct DVLA service.
Assuming You Need to Take Another Driving Test
Losing your physical licence does not mean you have to retake your driving test. You are replacing the document, not starting the licensing process again.
Forgetting to Update Your Address
If you have moved, make sure DVLA has your current address.
Using an Unofficial Website for the Application
There are many websites online discussing driving licences.
Independent websites can provide useful information, but when you are ready to complete an official government transaction, use the official GOV.UK service.
Keeping Your Old Licence
If you find the original after receiving a replacement, follow DVLA’s instructions and return the old licence.
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Replace Lost Driving Licence
How do I replace a lost driving licence?
Eligible Great Britain residents can apply online through DVLA. You need to sign in, provide the requested information, pay the £20 replacement fee and submit the application.
How much does it cost to replace a lost driving licence?
The current fee is £20.
How long does a replacement driving licence take?
An online application should normally result in your licence arriving within one week. Postal applications generally take about three weeks.
Can I replace my provisional driving licence if I lose it?
Yes. The DVLA replacement service covers provisional as well as full driving licences.
Can I replace my licence by post?
Yes. D1 forms are generally used for car and motorcycle licences, while D2 forms are used for lorry and bus licences.
Can I replace my licence by phone?
You may be able to if you have a photocard licence and none of your details have changed. Restrictions apply.
What if my driving licence was stolen?
GOV.UK advises contacting the police if your driving licence has been stolen. You can then apply for a replacement through DVLA.
Can I check my driving record while waiting for my replacement?
Yes. The DVLA Driver and Vehicles Account provides access to driving record information and other licence services.
What should I do if I find my old licence?
Return the old licence to DVLA and explain that you found it after applying for or receiving the replacement.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to replace lost driving licence can save you time and prevent unnecessary confusion.
For most eligible drivers in Great Britain, the process is straightforward: apply through the DVLA replacement service, pay the current £20 fee, and wait for your replacement to arrive. Online applications should normally be completed faster than postal applications, with GOV.UK stating that an online replacement should arrive within approximately one week.
Remember to:
- Use the correct replacement service.
- Contact the police if the licence was stolen.
- Make sure DVLA has your current details.
- Keep your application confirmation.
- Return your old licence if you find it later.
For more information about UK driving licences, DVLA licence checks, driving records, provisional licences and licence applications, visit UK DVLA Driving Licence.
Disclaimer: UKDVLADrivingLicence.com is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with or operated by DVLA or GOV.UK. Use the official GOV.UK website when completing an actual government application.