--- title: "Lost or stolen licence: what to do" description: "What UK learners and drivers should do if their driving licence is lost or stolen, how to replace it, costs and what it means for tests and lessons." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/#organization", "name": "Fast Track Driving Lessons", "url": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/", "email": "info@fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk", "areaServed": "GB", "description": "Intensive driving courses and driving lessons across the UK with DVSA-approved instructors." }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/#website", "url": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/", "name": "Fast Track Driving Lessons", "publisher": { "@id": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/#organization" }, "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/search?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Article", "headline": "Lost or stolen licence: what to do", "description": "What UK learners and drivers should do if their driving licence is lost or stolen, how to replace it, costs and what it means for tests and lessons.", "articleSection": "Licences & documents", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Fast Track Driving Lessons", "description": "UK intensive driving course provider working with DVSA approved driving instructors." }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Fast Track Driving Lessons" }, "dateModified": "2026-08-04" }, { "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I need to report a lost driving licence to the police?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "You do not usually need to report a simply lost licence, but if it was stolen, for example in a theft or burglary, reporting it to the police is sensible and can give you a crime reference number for your records." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How much does a replacement driving licence cost?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "If DVLA can verify your identity online, replacing a lost, stolen or destroyed licence is often free. A postal application, or one needing extra checks, has typically cost around £20. Always check the current fee on GOV.UK before applying." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I drive without my physical licence while waiting for a replacement?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "If you are otherwise entitled to drive and DVLA holds your correct record, you can normally continue driving. You must be able to produce a licence to police if asked, usually within 7 days, so apply for a replacement promptly." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What happens if I lose my licence just before my driving test?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Contact DVSA and apply for a replacement immediately. You must bring your photocard licence to the test, so if it will not arrive in time, you may need to discuss your options for the test date." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I use a photo of my licence instead of the physical card for a test?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No. Theory and practical test centres require the physical, valid photocard licence, not a photograph or scan of it." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Will a lost licence affect my no claims or insurance?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Losing your licence does not itself affect your driving record or insurance history. It only affects your ability to prove your identity and entitlement until you have a replacement." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is it safe to apply for a replacement licence through any website?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Use the official GOV.UK service. Third-party sites may charge additional fees for the same process, and it is safer to deal directly with DVLA when sharing identity documents." } } ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Learner Hub", "item": "/learn" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Licences & documents", "item": "/learn/licences-and-documents" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Lost or stolen licence: what to do" } ] } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Learner Hub", "item": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/learn" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Licences & documents", "item": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/learn/licences-and-documents" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Lost or stolen licence: what to do" } ] } ] --- Get an exclusive 15% off - Offer ends next week! [![Fast Track Driving Lessons](/assets/fasttrack-logo-360-B6kGRO06.png)](/) [Log in](/theory/account)[Get me driving](/course-recommender)Menu [Our Courses & Prices](/courses) [Driving Lessons](/driving-lessons) [Areas We Cover](/driving-lessons-in) [Learner Hub](/learn) [Theory Test](/theory) [Licences & documents](/learn/licences-and-documents) # Lost or stolen licence: what to do A clear instructor guide to replacing a lost or stolen UK driving licence, including cost, timing and what to do before a theory or practical test. Written by the Fast Track instructor team · Reviewed by a DVSA approved driving instructor (ADI) · Updated August 2026 · 6 min read 1. [Home](/) 2. / [Learner Hub](/learn) 3. / [Licences & documents](/learn/licences-and-documents) 4. / Lost or stolen licence: what to do ## The short version - Report a stolen licence to the police if it was taken as part of a theft, then apply to DVLA for a replacement. - Replacing an online-verified lost or stolen licence is usually free; a postal application can cost around £20. - You can still drive while waiting for a replacement, provided you are otherwise entitled to and hold a valid licence record with DVLA. - You must have your photocard with you for theory and practical tests, so sort a replacement well before test day. - Apply through GOV.UK directly rather than third-party sites that charge extra for the same service. ## Why losing your licence is more than an inconvenience I have had pupils turn up for their practical test without their photocard, sometimes because it went missing weeks earlier and they assumed it would sort itself out. It will not. The examiner needs to check your identity against a valid photocard licence, and if you cannot produce it, the test may not go ahead and the fee can be lost. A lost or stolen licence is common and DVLA has a straightforward process for replacing it. The key is not to leave it until test week. Sort it as soon as you notice it is missing, because postal steps and identity checks can take time if your details cannot be verified online. ## Lost, stolen or damaged: what is the difference DVLA treats a lost, stolen or damaged licence in a similar way for replacement purposes, but a stolen licence is also a police matter if it was taken during a theft, burglary or robbery. Reporting it to the police can matter if someone tries to use your identity fraudulently, and having a crime reference number can be useful to keep on file. A damaged licence, such as one that has been through the wash or has a cracked photocard, should also be replaced. Do not try to use a licence that is illegible or where the photo or details cannot be read clearly, since this can cause problems if you are stopped by police or asked to show it for a test. - Lost: you cannot find it but there is no reason to think it was taken. - Stolen: it was taken without your permission, for example in a theft. - Damaged: it still exists but is unreadable or broken. - In all three cases, you apply to DVLA for a replacement. ## How to apply for a replacement The quickest way is the official GOV.UK online service for replacing a driving licence. If DVLA can verify your identity electronically, this is often free for a lost, stolen or destroyed licence. If you need to apply by post, or your identity cannot be verified online, there is normally a fee, which has been around £20, though you should always check the current GOV.UK figure before applying. Avoid unofficial websites that charge a service fee on top of, or instead of, the DVLA charge. They are not always scams, but they are rarely necessary. Applying directly through GOV.UK is normally cheaper and gives you a clear reference for tracking your application. 1. 1 Go to GOV.UK and search for “apply for a replacement driving licence”. 2. 2 Confirm whether your licence was lost, stolen or damaged. 3. 3 Enter your identity and address details for DVLA to verify. 4. 4 Pay the fee if one applies, and note your application reference. 5. 5 Wait for the new photocard to arrive before relying on it for tests. ## Can you still drive while waiting for a replacement If your entitlement to drive has not changed, and you would otherwise be legally allowed to drive, you can usually continue to drive while your replacement licence is being processed. The physical photocard is proof of your licence, but DVLA holds the actual record of your entitlement. What matters is that you are the person named and you meet the conditions for the category of vehicle. That said, you must be able to produce your licence if asked by police, normally within 7 days at a police station of your choice if you do not have it with you at the time. If you do not have a replacement and cannot produce one, this can cause practical problems, so do not delay applying once you know it is missing. ## What it means for theory and practical tests You must take your photocard driving licence to your theory test and to your practical driving test. Examiners and test centre staff check it against the booking details. If your photocard is lost or stolen and has not been replaced in time, contact DVSA before test day rather than turning up without it and hoping it will be fine. If you are close to a booked test date and your replacement has not arrived, you may need to consider whether to change the test date. Losing a test fee because of a missing licence is avoidable if you act early. As with the licence itself, always check current guidance directly on GOV.UK, since document rules for tests can be updated. - Apply for a replacement as soon as you know your licence is missing. - Do not wait until the week of your test to sort it out. - Contact DVSA if your test is close and your replacement has not arrived. - Keep your application reference in case you need to check progress. ## Keeping your licence safe going forward Most lost licences are not dramatic. They are left in a coat pocket, dropped between car seats, or filed somewhere and forgotten. A simple habit helps: keep your photocard in the same place at home, and only carry it with you when you actually need it, such as for a lesson, a test or hiring a vehicle. If you regularly need to prove your licence, for example for insurance checks or hire cars, consider using the official DVLA “view driving licence” online service rather than handing over your physical card unnecessarily. This reduces the number of times the card is out of your hands and at risk of being lost. ## How this fits with your driving course At Fast Track Driving Lessons, learners often book intensive courses from 10 to 40 hours at £61.23 per hour, working towards a fixed test date. A missing licence does not affect your driving ability, but it can derail a carefully planned course if it is not sorted in time. If you are preparing for theory, use the free theory test practice at /theory while you wait for a replacement photocard to arrive, so no time is wasted. Once your new licence is in hand, check the details are correct before your test, particularly your name and address, since errors here can cause the same problems as a missing card. ## Common questions ### Do I need to report a lost driving licence to the police? You do not usually need to report a simply lost licence, but if it was stolen, for example in a theft or burglary, reporting it to the police is sensible and can give you a crime reference number for your records. ### How much does a replacement driving licence cost? If DVLA can verify your identity online, replacing a lost, stolen or destroyed licence is often free. A postal application, or one needing extra checks, has typically cost around £20. Always check the current fee on GOV.UK before applying. ### Can I drive without my physical licence while waiting for a replacement? If you are otherwise entitled to drive and DVLA holds your correct record, you can normally continue driving. You must be able to produce a licence to police if asked, usually within 7 days, so apply for a replacement promptly. ### What happens if I lose my licence just before my driving test? Contact DVSA and apply for a replacement immediately. You must bring your photocard licence to the test, so if it will not arrive in time, you may need to discuss your options for the test date. ### Can I use a photo of my licence instead of the physical card for a test? No. Theory and practical test centres require the physical, valid photocard licence, not a photograph or scan of it. ### Will a lost licence affect my no claims or insurance? Losing your licence does not itself affect your driving record or insurance history. It only affects your ability to prove your identity and entitlement until you have a replacement. ### Is it safe to apply for a replacement licence through any website? Use the official GOV.UK service. Third-party sites may charge additional fees for the same process, and it is safer to deal directly with DVLA when sharing identity documents. ## See course prices Reading about it only gets you so far. Our instructors drill this with you in the car, on the roads around your test centre. [See course prices](/pricing)[Courses & prices](/courses) ## On this page - [Why losing your licence is more than an inconvenience](#s-0) - [Lost, stolen or damaged: what is the difference](#s-1) - [How to apply for a replacement](#s-2) - [Can you still drive while waiting for a replacement](#s-3) - [What it means for theory and practical tests](#s-4) - [Keeping your licence safe going forward](#s-5) - [How this fits with your driving course](#s-6) ## Keep reading - [Applying for a provisional driving licence](/learn/licences-and-documents/provisional-licence) - [Black box insurance for new drivers](/learn/licences-and-documents/black-box-insurance-explained) - [Passing parked cars safely](/learn/driving-well/passing-parked-cars) ## Free theory practice 700+ DVSA-style questions and full mock tests. No card, no upsell. [Start practising](/theory) ## Not sure how many hours you need? Answer four quick questions and we will recommend a course based on your experience, not a sales target. [Get my recommendation](/course-recommender) [![Fast Track Driving Lessons](/assets/fasttrack-logo-360-B6kGRO06.png)](/) All instructors are DVSA-approved and badge-checked. ## Courses - [All courses & prices](/courses) - [Course recommender](/course-recommender) - [Pricing & payment](/pricing) - [How it works](/how-it-works) ## Driving lessons - [Manual lessons](/driving-lessons/manual) - [Automatic lessons](/driving-lessons/automatic) - [Beginner lessons](/driving-lessons/beginners) - [Refresher lessons](/driving-lessons/refresher) ## Learners - [Free theory practice](/theory) - [Pass guarantee](/test-pass-guarantee) - [Your first lesson](/driving-lessons/first-driving-lesson) - [Find an instructor](/search) - [Areas we cover](/driving-lessons-in) - [Driving test centres](/driving-test-centres) ## Learner Hub - [All guides](/learn) - [Manoeuvres](/learn/manoeuvres) - [Practical test](/learn/practical-test) - [Theory test guides](/learn/theory-test) - [Rules of the road](/learn/rules-of-the-road) ## Company - [About us](/about) - [FAQs](/faqs) - [Offers & discounts](/discounts) - [Work with us](/work-with-us) - [Ways to pay](/ways-to-pay) - [Contact us](/contact) ## Company information Fast Track Driving Lessons is a trading name of MH Cancellations Ltd. Registered in England & Wales, company number 11921914. ## Registered office Suite 9, Silk House, Park Green, Macclesfield, England, SK11 7QJ ## Contact [info@fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk](mailto:info@fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk) We reply to all enquiries within 24 hours. Independent of the DVSA and DVLA. - [Privacy policy](/privacy-policy) - [Cookie policy](/cookie-policy) - [Terms and conditions](/terms) - [Refund policy](/refund-policy) - [Cancellation policy](/cancellation-policy) - [Accessibility](/accessibility) - [Complaints](/complaints) Cookie settings© 2026 Fast Track Driving Lessons. All rights reserved. ## Cookies on this site We use essential cookies to make the site work. We would also like to set optional analytics cookies to see which guides help learners most. Nothing optional runs until you agree. See our [cookie policy](/cookie-policy). Accept allReject optionalManage cookies