Rules and regulations

How to replace your driving licence if it is lost or stolen

You must have your driving licence to hand at all times, so if your licence is lost or stolen you need to replace it as quickly as possible.

Applying online

If your driving licence is stolen you must report it to the police immediately.

You can apply for a replacement licence online - just follow the steps on the GOV.UK website.

Your replacement photocard driving licence should arrive within a week.

To apply online you'll need:

• To be a resident of Great Britain
• To not be disqualified from driving for any reason
• A debit or credit card to pay the £20 fee
• A valid UK passport or other form of ID
• Previous addresses for the last 3 years

Wherever possible, the DVLA will use an electronic copy of your passport photo, as long as you have a UK passport issued in the last 5 years. They will let you know if this isn't possible and ask you to send in a photo.

Applying by phone

You can apply by phone as long as none of your details have changed. You can’t apply this way if your licence is damaged, or if it expires in less than 56 days (or 90 days if it’s expiring for medical reasons).

Call the DVLA on:

0300 790 6801
Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm
Saturday, 8am to 2pm

Applying by post:

To apply by post you’ll need to complete form D1 Application for a driving licence, available from the DVLA form ordering service or most Post Offices.

You’ll then need to:

• Send your application to the address on the form along with the correct fee

If your name has changed you’ll also need to send original documents confirming this.

If you find your old driving licence later, you must send it back to the DVLA explaining what has happened