What To Do If You Lose Your Driver’s License

Losing your driver‘s license can be a stressful and worrying experience. Your driver‘s license contains sensitive personal information that, if fallen into the wrong hands, could lead to identity theft or other forms of fraud. Knowing exactly what steps to take if you lose your license can help protect you and get a replacement license as quickly as possible.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know if you lose your driver’s license, including:

• What can happen if someone else has your driver‘s license
• Steps to take immediately if you lose your license
• Notifying the DMV and getting a replacement license
• Checking for fraudulent use of your license
• Protecting yourself from identity theft
• FAQs about lost licenses

Follow these steps, and you can get a handle on the situation quickly.

What Can Happen If Someone Else Has Your Driver‘s License

Your driver‘s license contains sensitive personally identifiable information (PII) including your full legal name, date of birth, license number, address, and photo. This is more than enough for criminals to steal your identity and commit fraud.

Here are some of the ways criminals can misuse your driver‘s license:

• Apply for credit cards and take out loans in your name, damaging your credit
• Open bank accounts to commit check fraud or other financial crimes
• Use your identity if arrested for a crime, creating a false criminal record under your name
• Attempt to get a passport or other government ID using your identity
• Commit medical identity theft by obtaining prescription drugs or medical services under your name
• File a false tax return to steal your tax refund
• Use your license as a form of identification for air travel
• Rent vehicles, equipment, or housing in your name and not return them, leaving you with the bill
• Collect government benefits like unemployment or healthcare illegally

In some states, your license number may also be linked to your Social Security number or other personal data in DMV databases. Criminals with hacking skills could potentially access some of this information if they have your license number.

Overall, the fraud possibilities are immense, which is why it’s so important to take action quickly if your license winds up in the wrong hands.

Steps to Take Immediately If You Lose Your License

If you realize your physical driver‘s license is missing, follow these steps right away:

1. Retrace your steps and search everywhere

Before assuming your license is gone for good, retrace your steps carefully and search every location you’ve been recently. Check your home, car, office, wallet, bags, jacket pockets, etc. Thoroughly search everywhere a small card could slip out of sight.

Many lost licenses turn up after a careful search. If you still can‘t find it, it‘s time to take further action.

2. Contact places you visited and ask if your license was turned in

If there are any businesses, restaurants, transportation hubs, or other locations you visited recently, call and ask if your license was turned in to an employee.

People often turn in found IDs and licenses to staff. You may get lucky if a good samaritan discovered your lost license and turned it over to the proper authorities.

3. Call your bank and credit card companies

Banks and financial institutions can be targets for criminals if they gain access to your driver‘s license. Call each bank and credit card company where you hold accounts.

Let them know your license is missing and to watch for any suspicious activity. Also set up alerts to be notified of unusual transactions.

4. Change your passwords

Criminals with your driver‘s license can potentially access your online accounts by resetting passwords and sending password resets to your address.

Log into all your important online accounts like email, banking, social media, and shopping sites. Change your passwords to unique ones not used on any other site.

5. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

For an added layer of security, turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) on sites that offer it like Google, Facebook, and financial accounts.

2FA requires a second step to log in, like an SMS text or code from an authenticator app. This prevents criminals from accessing accounts even with your password.

Enabling 2FA limits the potential damage from lost passwords or a license falling into the wrong hands.

6. Place fraud alerts

Contact one of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) and place an initial 90-day fraud alert on your credit file. This makes it harder for someone to open new credit accounts in your name.

When you place an alert with one bureau, they are required to notify the other two to also add fraud alerts. Extended 7-year alerts are also available for ID theft victims.

7. Consider a credit freeze

For even stronger protection, you can place a credit freeze on your credit file. This restricts access to your credit report, making it nearly impossible for thieves to open new accounts.

If you need to apply for credit yourself, you can lift the freeze temporarily by providing a PIN code. There may be fees to place, lift, and remove a credit freeze depending on your state.

Freezes may be a bit inconvenient, but provide excellent protection if you believe your identity is at serious risk.

8. File a police report

File a police report about your lost license with your local police department or the jurisdiction it went missing in. This creates an official record of the incident that can help with identity theft claims.

Bring a copy of the police report with you when requesting a license replacement from the DMV. You may also need the report number to place an extended fraud alert.

9. Change the locks if your house keys were lost

If your driver’s license went missing along with your house keys, arrangements should be made to change your locks as soon as possible.

This will prevent thieves with your missing keys from entering your home. Ask a locksmith to replace your locks right away for peace of mind.

Notifying the DMV and Getting a Replacement License

After taking the immediate steps above, you need to contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to notify them about your lost license.

The DMV can cancel your missing license and issue a replacement with a new number. Here are the steps to take:

1. Notify the DMV your license was lost

Every state‘s DMV has a procedure to notify them if your license is lost or stolen. In most states, you can report online or by phone if your license is missing.

This notification places a hold on your license number to prevent others from using it. Make sure to have your license number ready when you contact the DMV.

2. Request a replacement license

Once you’ve reported your lost license, you can apply for a replacement license. In most cases, you‘ll fill out a license replacement form and pay a replacement fee.

Fees are typically $10-30, depending on your state. You may need to provide documentation like a police report, proof of ID, and a valid passport photo.

3. Ask if you can change your license number

When applying for a replacement, ask the DMV if you can request a new license number. Having the original number out there poses a continued risk for identity theft.

Most states will let you change your license number if your current one was compromised or lost. There may be an additional fee for a license number change in some states.

4. Visit a DMV office and get a temporary paper license

You will likely need to visit a DMV office in person to finalize the replacement license process. Bring all required documentation like police reports and proofs of ID.

The DMV can print out a temporary paper license you can use until your new permanent license arrives in the mail. Expect your official replacement in 1-2 weeks in most states.

5. Destroy your old license if you find it

If your original license does turn up, do not keep using it. Destroy it by cutting across the ID picture and license number.

Having duplicate copies of your old license number out there increases the potential for fraud. Only use your newly issued replacement license.

Checking for Fraudulent Use of Your License

Once you have a replacement license, you need to verify your old license number hasn’t already been misused. Here are ways to check for suspicious activity:

Monitor your credit reports and scores

Check your credit reports frequently for new accounts or inquiries you don’t recognize. Many services like Credit Karma let you easily view your credit reports for free.

Watch for any unexplained dips in your credit scores as well. A new credit card opened in your name can drag down your score.

Review account statements closely

Carefully review bank and credit card statements each month for any unauthorized activity. Scrutinize all transactions no matter how small.

Watch for small test charges crooks use to verify stolen account numbers work before making large fraudulent purchases.

Check court records in your county

Visit or call your county courthouse to ask if anyone identifying as you has any citations or charges filed against them.

Criminals can be arrested under your name if caught committing crimes with your stolen license ID.

Run background checks on yourself

Use annualcreditreport.com to run a thorough background check on yourself every few months. Look for any red flags that indicate your identity has been compromised.

This helps uncover things like criminal records, speeding tickets, payday loans, and court judgments in your name that you don’t recognize.

Monitor your medical records

Check with your healthcare providers to make sure no one is using your identity to obtain medical services. Thieves can commit medical identity theft with a stolen license.

Watch for any unknown medical bills, procedures, prescriptions, or insurance claims. Report anything suspicious to your providers.

Check state tax records

Contact your state’s tax department to verify no one has attempted to file a fraudulent tax return using your identity.

Tax fraud with stolen IDs is common since it allows thieves to collect unclaimed refunds.

Review your Social Security records

If thieves have access to your SSN along with your license, they could start using your SSN for employment.

Check your Social Security records annually at ssa.gov to see what employers are associated with your SSN. Look for any unfamiliar jobs recorded under your number.

Protecting Yourself From Identity Theft

Your risk of full-blown identity theft goes up significantly when your license is lost or stolen. Here are smart steps to help protect your identity:

Sign up for identity theft protection

A reputable identity theft protection service like LifeLock or IDShield can help monitor for fraud across your credit reports, bank accounts, credit cards, and more. Most offer identity restoration services if your identity is stolen.

Consider enrolling in protection (often with family coverage options) for peace of mind if your license falls into the wrong hands.

Freeze children’s credit

If you have kids, make sure to freeze their credit files as their Social Security numbers may have been on your license.

A child credit freeze prevents thieves from using their identities to open fraudulent accounts. It‘s free to place and lifting it later is easy when they need credit themselves.

Monitor them closely

Pay extra attention to the credit reports and account statements of any minor children listed on your lost license. Children are common targets for identity thieves.

Freeze their credit, and sign up for dark web monitoring that searches for their Social Security number online.

Use an RFID-blocking wallet

Some states now issue driver’s licenses and ID cards with RFID chips containing your personal data. Identity thieves can read these chips from a short distance with RFID scanners.

Carry your new license in a wallet or sleeve with RFID-blocking material. This stops criminals from skimming your RFID chip data if you have one embedded in your license.

Sign up for dark web monitoring

A dark web monitoring service like LifeLock, IDShield, or MyIDCare will scan black market sites and criminal forums for your personal information like your Social Security number.

You’ll be alerted if your info shows up on the dark web so you can take quick action to prevent identity theft.

Lost License FAQs

If you lose your license, you probably still have plenty of questions about how to handle it properly. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

How much does it cost to replace a lost license?

License replacement fees are typically around $10 to $30 depending on your state. Some may be higher or lower. Additional fees often apply if you need to update your license photo or request an entirely new license number.

Can someone steal your identity with just your license?

Yes, a lost license contains enough personal information for thieves to steal your identity. They can use it to open financial accounts, get other forms of false identification, and commit serious fraud crimes in your name.

Do you need to go to the DMV to get a replacement license?

In most cases, yes. You will need to visit a DMV office in person at some point in the license replacement process to have a new photo taken and pick up your temporary paper license.

How long does it take to get a new license by mail?

You should receive your new replacement license in the mail within 7-14 business days in most states after your DMV visit. Some states may take a few weeks to issue and mail your permanent replacement license.

Can someone get arrested with your license?

Unfortunately yes. If a criminal is caught committing crimes using your lost license ID, they can provide police with your identity during an arrest. This leads to warrants and criminal charges filed falsely under your name.

How do you check if someone used your license?

Check your credit reports, financial statements, public records, and all accounts regularly for signs of unauthorized use. Run background checks on yourself for citations, arrests, payday loans, or jobs recorded under your SSN.

Watch for medical bills from providers you don‘t know. Review your tax records and Social Security statements as well.

What happens if you lose your license and have no ID?

You can still go to a DMV office in person and request a replacement. They will verify your identity another way, such as through your Social Security number and documents like a birth certificate or passport.

Without ID, the process may take longer. You can get a temporary paper license until your replacement arrives.

The Bottom Line

Losing your driver‘s license or having it stolen is a serious matter that requires quick action on your part. Follow the steps here, like contacting the DMV for a replacement license, placing fraud alerts, and closely monitoring your accounts and credit reports.

With fast action, you can limit the potential damage from a lost license and maintain your financial and identity security. Don‘t wait to take the proper precautions.