If your driving licence has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed, you may need a replacement driving licence. For drivers in Great Britain, the DVLA provides an online service that allows eligible motorists to request a replacement full or provisional driving licence.
Replacing a licence is usually straightforward, and the current fee for a lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed GB driving licence is £20. If you apply online, GOV.UK states that your replacement should normally arrive within one week.
This guide explains everything you need to know about obtaining a replacement driving licence, including how to apply, the cost, processing times, postal applications, stolen licences and what to do if you find your original licence later.
For more information about UK driving licences, DVLA checks and applications, visit UK DVLA Driving Licence.
Important: This article covers Great Britain — England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has a separate driving licence system.
What Is a Replacement Driving Licence?
A replacement driving licence is a new licence issued when your existing licence is no longer available or usable.
You may need a replacement driving licence if your licence has been:
- Lost
- Stolen
- Damaged
- Destroyed
- Defaced
The DVLA replacement service covers both full driving licences and provisional driving licences.
If you are researching the process of getting a licence for the first time, rather than replacing an existing one, see our driving licence application guide.
How to Apply for a Replacement Driving Licence
For eligible drivers, applying online is generally the simplest option.
The process involves several basic steps:
- Access the official DVLA replacement service.
- Sign in or create your DVLA account.
- Provide the required information.
- Confirm your details.
- Pay the £20 replacement fee.
- Submit your application.
- Keep your confirmation email.
- Wait for your new licence to arrive.
GOV.UK confirms that applicants need to sign in to use the online service and can create sign-in details if they do not already have them.
For information about online licence applications, visit our driving licence online application guide.
Step-by-Step Replacement Driving Licence Application
1. Check Whether Your Licence Is Really Missing
Before applying for a replacement driving licence, search carefully for your original.
Check places such as:
- Your wallet
- Handbag or backpack
- Car
- Home
- Workplace
- Recent travel bags
- Places where you recently used your identification
If you cannot find it, you can proceed with the replacement process.
2. Determine Whether Your Licence Was Stolen
If you believe your driving licence was stolen, GOV.UK advises contacting the police.
You can then apply for a replacement through DVLA.
A stolen driving licence should be dealt with promptly because it contains personal information.
For more information, see our lost driving licence UK guide.
3. Check Your Personal Information
Before submitting a replacement application, consider whether your details have changed since your original licence was issued.
For example:
- Have you moved to a new address?
- Has your name changed?
- Has your photograph changed?
- Are there any other personal details that need updating?
If your address has changed, DVLA provides a separate service for updating your address. Drivers are required to notify DVLA when they change address.
You can also read our driving licence status guide.
4. Sign In to Your DVLA Account
The online replacement service requires you to sign in.
The DVLA Driver and Vehicles Account can also be used for several other driving-related services, including viewing your driving record, checking penalty points, changing your address and replacing a lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed licence.
5. Complete Your Application
Provide the information requested by DVLA.
Take your time and check your details carefully before submitting the application.
Incorrect information can result in additional checks or delays.
6. Pay the Replacement Driving Licence Fee
The current fee for replacing a lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed GB driving licence is £20.
The fee applies to the replacement of eligible full and provisional licences.
7. Submit the Application
Once you have reviewed the information and completed payment, submit your application.
GOV.UK states that DVLA will send a confirmation email after an online application has been submitted.
Keep the confirmation until your new licence arrives.
How Much Does a Replacement Driving Licence Cost?
The current fee for replacing a lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed GB driving licence is £20.
It is important not to confuse a replacement licence with other types of driving licence transactions.
| Type of transaction | Current fee |
|---|---|
| Replacement for lost licence | £20 |
| Replacement for stolen licence | £20 |
| Replacement for damaged licence | £20 |
| Replacement for destroyed licence | £20 |
| First provisional licence online | £34 |
| Renewal of an expired licence online | £14 |
These fees are based on the current GOV.UK fee schedule and can change in the future.
If you are applying for your first provisional licence, read our first provisional driving licence guide instead.
How Long Does a Replacement Driving Licence Take?
Processing time depends on how you apply and whether DVLA needs additional information.
For an online application, GOV.UK states that your replacement licence should arrive within one week.
Postal applications generally take longer. GOV.UK states that a licence applied for by post should arrive in approximately three weeks, although it can take longer if medical or personal details need to be checked.
Online replacement
Expected: About one week
Postal replacement
Expected: About three weeks
These are service expectations rather than guarantees.
Can You Get a Replacement Driving Licence Online?
Yes.
Eligible residents of Great Britain can use the online DVLA service to replace a lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed full or provisional driving licence.
You must:
- Be resident in Great Britain
- Not be disqualified from driving
The online service may also tell you if you need to prove your identity.
If you want to learn more about checking licence information online, see our check driving licence online article.
Can You Get a Replacement Provisional Driving Licence?
Yes.
The DVLA replacement service specifically allows eligible drivers to replace a provisional driving licence as well as a full driving licence.
This can be important for learner drivers who have lost their licence while taking driving lessons or preparing for their theory or practical driving test.
However, if you have never had a provisional licence, you should not use the replacement service. You need to apply for your first provisional driving licence.
Read our provisional driving licence UK guide for more information.
What If Your Driving Licence Was Stolen?
If your driving licence was stolen, you should contact the police.
After reporting the theft where appropriate, apply for a replacement driving licence through DVLA.
The replacement fee remains £20.
Do not continue using the situation as though the licence is simply misplaced if you believe someone has taken it.
For more information, visit our lost driving licence guide.
Can You Replace a Damaged Driving Licence?
Yes.
A licence that has been damaged or defaced can be replaced through the DVLA replacement process.
A damaged licence may become difficult to read or may no longer provide a clear representation of your details or photograph.
The current replacement fee is £20.
Can You Replace a Destroyed Driving Licence?
Yes.
If your driving licence has been accidentally destroyed, you can apply for a replacement.
Examples could include a licence that was:
- Accidentally thrown away
- Damaged beyond use
- Destroyed in an accident
- Destroyed with other personal documents
The DVLA replacement service specifically includes destroyed licences.
Can You Apply for a Replacement Driving Licence by Post?
Yes.
If you cannot use the online service, postal applications are available.
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.
Postal applications generally take around three weeks.
If your name has changed, you may also need to send original documents confirming the change.
Can You Apply for a Replacement Driving Licence by Phone?
In certain circumstances, yes.
You can apply by phone if:
- You have a photocard driving licence.
- None of your details have changed.
You cannot use the phone service if your licence is damaged or if it expires within the relevant period specified by DVLA.
If you are eligible, this can be an alternative to applying online.
What Information Do You Need?
The exact information required depends on your circumstances and the application method.
It is useful to have your personal information available before starting.
This may include:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Current address
- Driving licence information
- National Insurance information where requested
- Payment details
If your personal details have changed, you may need to use a different procedure.
What If You Have Changed Address?
Changing your address is an important consideration when applying for a replacement driving licence.
If you have moved since your previous licence was issued, your driving licence should reflect your current address.
DVLA states that drivers are legally required to tell it when they change their address.
The address-change service is free when you still have your licence. If your existing licence has been lost, DVLA directs you to the replacement service, which has a £20 fee.
For more information, read our check licence status guide.
What If Your Name Has Changed?
A name change is different from simply replacing a lost or damaged licence.
If your name has changed, you should follow the appropriate DVLA process.
GOV.UK states that changing your name on a driving licence is free, although you generally need to apply by post and provide the required original documents.
If you cannot provide your old licence because it has been lost, stolen or destroyed, you can still apply, but a £20 replacement fee applies.
Can You Check Your Driving Record Without Your Physical Licence?
Yes.
The DVLA Driver and Vehicles Account allows drivers to view information such as:
- Vehicles they can drive
- Penalty points
- Disqualifications
- Driving record information
- Licence information
It can also generate a licence check code that can be shared with another person or organisation, such as a car hire company.
This can be useful if your physical replacement driving licence has not yet arrived.
Learn more through our check driving record guide.
What Is a DVLA Licence Check?
A DVLA licence check can help you access information relating to your driving entitlement and record.
Depending on the service, you may be able to check:
- Driving categories
- Penalty points
- Disqualifications
- Driving record details
- Licence information
For a detailed explanation, visit our DVLA licence check guide.
What Is a Driving Licence Check Code?
A driving licence check code is a way of sharing your driving-record information with another person or organisation.
For example, you might need one when hiring a car.
The DVLA Driver and Vehicles Account allows you to create a check code for sharing your driving record.
Read our driving licence check UK guide for more information.
What Happens After You Apply?
After an online application, DVLA sends a confirmation email.
If your application is straightforward, your replacement driving licence should arrive within about one week.
When it arrives, check the information carefully.
Look at:
- Your full name
- Date of birth
- Address
- Photograph
- Driving categories
- Licence dates
If you find an error, contact DVLA using the appropriate official service.
What If You Find Your Old Licence Later?
Sometimes people apply for a replacement driving licence and then find the original.
If this happens, you should not simply keep both licences and use them interchangeably.
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 your current licence record remains consistent.
Do You Need to Carry Your Driving Licence?
You are not generally legally required to carry your physical driving licence whenever you drive.
However, you must have been issued a valid licence for the category of vehicle you are driving.
Even so, having an up-to-date physical licence can be useful when you need to prove or share your driving information.
Replacement Driving Licence vs Licence Renewal
It is important to understand the difference between replacement and renewal.
Replacement
A replacement driving licence is needed when your existing licence has been:
- Lost
- Stolen
- Damaged
- Destroyed
The current fee is £20.
Renewal
A renewal is required when your licence is due to expire or when you need to renew it for another reason.
For example, the current online fee for renewing an expired photocard driving licence is £14.
Therefore, make sure you select the correct service.
Replacement Driving Licence Checklist
Before applying, use this quick checklist:
- Confirm your licence is genuinely missing.
- Determine whether it was lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed.
- Contact the police if 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.
- Keep your confirmation email.
- Wait for the replacement to arrive.
- Check your new licence carefully.
- Return the old licence if you subsequently find it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applying for a First Licence Instead of a Replacement
If you previously held a licence, losing it does not mean you need to start the licensing process again.
You normally need a replacement.
Using an Unofficial Application Website
Be careful when searching online for terms such as “replacement driving licence” or “replace driving licence online.”
Independent websites can provide educational information, but you should use the official GOV.UK service for the actual government transaction.
Forgetting to Update Your Address
If you have moved house, make sure your current address is properly recorded with DVLA.
Providing Incorrect Information
Check every detail before submitting your application.
Keeping Two Licences
If you find your old licence after receiving a replacement, follow DVLA’s instructions and return the old document.
Frequently Asked Questions About Replacement Driving Licence
How much is a replacement driving licence?
The current fee for replacing a lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed GB driving licence is £20.
How long does a replacement driving licence take?
An online replacement should arrive within approximately one week. A postal application should arrive in around three weeks, although additional checks can take longer.
Can I replace my driving licence online?
Yes. Eligible Great Britain residents can use the online DVLA replacement service.
Can I replace a provisional driving licence?
Yes. The replacement service covers full and provisional driving licences.
Can I replace my licence if it was stolen?
Yes. Contact the police if your licence was stolen, then apply for a replacement through DVLA.
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.
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 it to DVLA and explain that you found it after applying for or receiving the replacement.
Final Thoughts
Getting a replacement driving licence is usually a straightforward process for eligible drivers in Great Britain.
If your licence has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed, you should use the appropriate DVLA replacement service rather than applying for a completely new licence.
The most important points to remember are:
- A replacement licence costs £20.
- You can replace a full or provisional licence.
- Online applications are available to eligible drivers.
- An online replacement should normally arrive within one week.
- Postal applications generally take around three weeks.
- A stolen licence should be reported to the police.
- You should update DVLA if your address has changed.
- If you find your old licence after receiving a replacement, return it to DVLA.
For more information about UK driving licences, DVLA licence checks, driving licence applications, driving records and licence status, visit UK DVLA Driving Licence.
Note: ukdvladrivinglicence.com is an independent informational resource and is not the official DVLA or GOV.UK website. Use GOV.UK when completing an official government application.