Replace a lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed driving licence

Printable version

1. Apply online

Replace your:

  • full driving licence
  • provisional driving licence

A new licence costs 拢20. You can pay by MasterCard, Visa, Electron or Delta debit or credit card.

If you applied for your last provisional licence before 1 March 1973, you鈥檒l need to follow the process to apply for your first provisional licence instead.

This service is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

You do not need the paper counterpart of your licence.

Before you start

You should contact the police if your driving licence is stolen.

To replace your licence you must:

  • be a resident of Great Britain (there鈥檚 a different service in )
  • not be disqualified from driving for any reason

You鈥檒l need to provide addresses where you鈥檝e lived for the last 3 years and, if you know them, your:

  • driving licence number
  • National Insurance number
  • passport number

Your photo

If your driving licence is due to expire within 2 years DVLA will give you the option to use a new photo on the replacement licence.

You can either:

  • keep your current photo
  • use your passport photo

You can only use your passport photo if:

  • your driving licence is due to expire within 2 years
  • you have a valid UK passport - you鈥檒l need to provide your passport number
  • you give permission for DVLA to use your photo

DVLA will tell you if they need you to give them a new photo and how to send it to them.

You can make sure the photo on your licence is updated by using the photo driving licence renewal service.

After you鈥檝e applied

DVLA will send you a confirmation email once you鈥檝e applied. You might be asked to take part in research by email, but you can opt out.

What to do if you find your old licence later

You must return your old licence to DVLA explaining what鈥檚 happened if you find it after applying for or receiving a replacement.

Send your old driving licence to:

DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1AB

2. Apply by phone or by post

You can also apply to replace your licence by phone or by post.

Applying by phone

You can contact DVLA to apply by phone if:

  • you have a photocard driving licence
  • none of your details have changed

You cannot apply by phone if your licence is damaged, or if it expires in less than 56 days (90 days if it鈥檚 expiring for medical reasons).

Applying by post

For a car or motorbike licence, complete form D1 鈥楢pplication for a driving licence鈥�, available from most .

For a lorry or bus licence, complete form D2 鈥楢pplication for a lorry/bus licence鈥�, available from the DVLA form ordering service.

You鈥檒l then need to send your application to the address on the form along with the correct fee (also shown on the form).

If your name has changed, you鈥檒l also need to send original documents confirming this.

Your driving licence should arrive in 3 weeks. It might take longer if your medical or personal details need to be checked.

If you鈥檝e got a paper driving licence

You鈥檒l also need to: