You can still legally drive while you wait for your replacement
Your driving entitlement is held on the DVLA database, not on the physical card. Losing the card does not cancel your licence. You can continue driving while your replacement is being processed.
You are not legally required to carry your licence while driving in the UK. If police ask to see it, you have seven days to produce it at a police station (this is known as a HORT/1 or "producer"). Your replacement licence arriving later is fine.
How to apply online
The online replacement process at GOV.UK handles lost, stolen, and damaged licences through the same route as a standard renewal. The cost is £20 (verify at GOV.UK for the current fee).
You need: your National Insurance number, a valid UK passport (DVLA uses this for the digital photo check), and your addresses for the last three years.
The new photocard licence is sent to the address held by DVLA. If you have recently moved and not updated your address with DVLA, update your address first. Otherwise the replacement will go to your old address.
Processing time for online applications: approximately one week.
How to apply by post
If you cannot use the online service, you can apply by post using a D1 form. D1 forms are available from Post Office branches.
The cost for a postal replacement is £43 (verify at GOV.UK — postal applications cost more than online). You send the completed form to DVLA in Swansea along with any documents required. Processing by post typically takes two to three weeks.
The main reasons you might need the postal route: you do not have a valid UK passport for the digital photo check, or you have a non-standard licence category that the online system does not handle. Check GOV.UK for the current list of situations where postal application is required.
If your licence was stolen
You do not need a police report to apply for a replacement driving licence. DVLA does not require one as part of the application. The process is the same as for a lost licence.
That said, if you believe your licence details could be used for identity fraud, it is worth reporting the theft to the police for your own records. A licence contains your photograph, full name, date of birth, and address. Reporting gives you a crime reference number, which can be useful if identity fraud issues arise later. It is not a requirement, but it is sensible if the theft was part of a bag theft or other incident where your personal details may have been compromised.
Driving while you wait
Your driving entitlement is not tied to the physical card. The DVLA database holds your full licence record, including the categories of vehicle you are entitled to drive. The card is evidence of that entitlement, not the entitlement itself.
You can drive while waiting for your replacement. If stopped by police, you can be asked to produce your licence at a police station within seven days (a process called a HORT/1 or "producers notice"). Your replacement arriving after that point satisfies the requirement, provided you have applied for it.
You are not legally required to carry your licence while driving in the UK, unlike in some other countries. The requirement is simply that your entitlement exists and is valid.
Where the replacement is sent
DVLA sends the replacement to the address currently on your licence record. If you have recently moved and not yet updated your address with DVLA, the replacement will go to your old address.
If you need to update your address at the same time as replacing your licence, do the address update first at GOV.UK, wait for confirmation, and then apply for the replacement. Attempting to do both at once may cause confusion in processing.
Alternatively, you can specify your new address as part of the replacement application. Check GOV.UK for the current options.
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Common questions about replacing your driving licence
Can I still drive if I've lost my licence?▾
Yes. Losing the physical card does not cancel your driving entitlement. Your entitlement is held on the DVLA database. You can continue driving while your replacement is being processed. You are not required to carry your licence while driving in the UK, but if asked by police, you may need to produce it at a police station within seven days.
How much does a replacement driving licence cost?▾
£20 for an online application, £43 by post (D1 form). The online fee is significantly lower, so apply online unless you have a specific reason to use the postal route. Verify both figures at GOV.UK, as fees can change.
How long does a replacement take?▾
Online applications: approximately one week for the new photocard to arrive. Postal applications (D1 form): typically two to three weeks. DVLA aims to process online applications faster. If you need the licence quickly for a specific reason, online is the faster route.
My licence was stolen — do I need a police report?▾
No. DVLA does not require a police report to issue a replacement. The process is the same as for a lost licence. However, if the theft could lead to identity fraud — for example, your licence was taken along with other documents or during a mugging — reporting to police for a crime reference number is worth doing for your own protection.
Can I apply without a UK passport?▾
The online application requires a valid UK passport for DVLA's digital photo check. Without a passport, you need to apply by post using a D1 form from a Post Office. The postal process costs more (£43 vs £20) and takes longer. Check GOV.UK for any updates to the online eligibility criteria.
Will the replacement be sent to my old address?▾
DVLA sends the replacement to the address on your current licence record. If you have moved and not updated your address, the replacement will go to your old address. Update your address at GOV.UK before applying for the replacement to avoid this.
What if I've lost both my licence and my passport?▾
Without a passport, you cannot use the online route for a driving licence replacement. You need to apply by post using a D1 form. The D1 route does not require a passport. Pick up a form at a Post Office, complete it, and send it to DVLA in Swansea with any required documentation. Check GOV.UK for the current D1 requirements.
Related pages
- →DVLA hubWhat DVLA handles: licences, registration, road tax, V5C, and medical enquiries.
- →Update your address with DVLATwo separate processes — your driving licence and your V5C. Both are free and online.
- →Free DVLA vehicle checkCheck any vehicle's tax and MOT status free at GOV.UK.
- →Full MOT guideMOT explained: what it covers, how much it costs, and what to do if you fail.