If you lose your photocard driving licence, you need to apply for a new one straight away. The process explained here is the same for replacing a licence that has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed.
You should also contact the police if you think your licence has been stolen.
The paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence was discontinued on 8 June 2015, so you will no longer receive a new one as part of this process. Any existing paper counterpart has no legal status and should be destroyed.
To begin the process of replacing a lost driving licence, visit the GOV.UK website. You will need to provide your driving licence number, National Insurance number and passport number, if you know them.
You’ll also need to be a resident of Great Britain, not disqualified from driving for any reason, and be able to provide addresses where you have lived for the last three years. The cost of a new driving licence is £20, which must be paid by Mastercard, Visa, Electron or Delta debit or credit card.
What you need to apply for a new licence
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will use your passport photo for your new driving licence if the following are true:
- Your licence is due to expire within two years
- You have a valid UK passport
- You give permission for the DVLA to use your photo
You will be sent a form if a suitable electronic photo is not available.
The information you need to provide
The process is simple. You will be asked for the following information:
- Name, address, date of birth and country of birth
- How long you have lived at your current address
- Driver number
- Telephone number, birth surname, mother’s maiden name, place of birth
- National Insurance number
- Passport number
If you have lived at your current address for less than three years, you will need to provide past addresses covering this period.
If you find your old licence after applying for a replacement, you must send it to the DVLA:
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1AB
The process for replacing a lost driving licence is different in Northern Ireland, where licences here are still made up of two parts: a plastic photocard and paper counterpart. Click here to replace a driving licence in Northern Ireland.
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Hi I lost license driver, Thanks!!