Reporting a Lost Driving License Achieving your license replacement promptly will stop criminal activity such as identity theft and other crimes that may be committed by people pretending to be you. The act of reporting your lost driving license to the police right away can create an official paper record that could be used to contest fraudulent activity. Retract your Steps If you have done everything you can think of to find your license but it's not there, it is time to submit an official police report. A police report will be useful if anyone attempts to steal your identity. It will alert you to any misused information. It is not a requirement of law to surrender your driver's license however it is a good idea to make an official police report in the event that it was stolen. To file a report you will need to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Each state has its own regulations but they will all require you to submit documents of identification. On the official website of your state, you will determine what documents are required. They usually require your name and address as well as your phone number and birth date. You may be required to pay an additional fee. Once you've submitted all the information required, the DMV will then be able to process your request. The DMV will then send you an interim license that allows you to drive. This is an extremely important step as it allows you to legally drive until you receive your new license in the mail. You might be able to file this paperwork online, based on the DMV. It may take a while to receive your new license after you have filed a report with the DMV. It is crucial to make a report as soon as you lose your license. This will ensure that you have a record of its loss and a timeline of when you can expect to receive the replacement. Always have an additional driver's license in case your original one is stolen or lost. If you don't have an extra, it's best to destroy the temporary license so that it won't be used to steal someone's identity. It is not worth the risk of having someone else use your personal information to commit crimes. Temporary license If you lose your driver's license you will typically need to make an appointment with your state's Department of Motor Vehicles and apply for a new license. The process varies from state to state, however generally, you'll need to complete an application and provide proof of your identity with a photo and possibly a driving record. Once you have received your new license, the original must be destroyed. Before you go to the DMV ensure that you notify your local police department. This might seem like a logical step, but it can prevent criminals from using a stolen or stolen driver's license to commit crimes. A police report creates an evidence trail that you can use in the future. You'll also need to check your state's website to see if it allows you to make a request for a replacement license online. This option is available in most states, however there are some exceptions. For instance when you've changed your name or moved from one state to another. If you lose your driver's license traveling outside of the state, it is necessary to visit the local DMV in person and provide all the necessary documents. After you've completed the appropriate paperwork you will be able to obtain temporary driver's license while you wait for your new replacement. It is important to remember that the new license will not show your photo, but it will display your legal name and date of birth. In some cases, you may be able request a REAL ID, or an enhanced ID. The process of replacing a driver's license could take anywhere from two weeks to be completed. The time frame can vary according to the workload of the Department of Motor Vehicles in your area. If you don't receive a replacement within a few weeks, you need to contact the DMV to inquire about its status. Report your license loss to the Police In most states you must notify the loss of your license to the police. In the event that you fail to report your license loss the state may revoke your driving rights. In New York, the law requires you to do this within 24 hours of noticing your license was lost or stolen. If you fail to do so, you could be arrested and spend time in jail. Typically, license suspensions occur for a variety of reasons. Some are related to driving, such as refusing the chemical test following an accident or accumulating too many points on your record. Financial issues and failures to follow other laws can also lead to a license suspension. In most instances, you will be notified from the state that you are at risk of losing your driving rights. The notification will also inform you what you have to do to ensure that you don't lose them for ever. You could be required to pay a fine, attend an instruction in traffic, install an ignition interlock or take a new driving test to get your license back once the suspension period has ended. But, the most important thing you can do is to never drive with no license. It is illegal in many states and can put you in serious trouble, even prison time. If you do receive your driver's license, it is best to have a clean driving record and to ensure you can afford the appropriate insurance for your vehicle. It is also recommended to sign up for identity theft protection through an organization like Identity Guard. This will help flag your personal information on the Dark Web, preventing criminals from using them to steal your money as well as your identity. Having a license suspension is challenging, especially when you have to go to work or care for children. However, if you don't lose your temper or allow a stressful situation to lead to more driving violations, you can typically overcome the problem and regain your license once the suspension is lifted. Get a Replacement It is important to replace your license promptly after it's gone missing. In New York, the process is simple and quick. You can complete it via phone, online or in person. In most cases, you do not require an eye test, and the new one does not change your date of birth or ID number. It is also a good idea to report the loss of your license to the police in order to make it more difficult for criminals to steal your identity to commit crimes. Once you have filed a police report and you have filed a police report, you can order an additional license. In most cases, you'll receive a temporary license that you can use until the new one arrives in the mail. The time that it takes to get your new license will vary, so you should contact the DMV if you are not able to contact them within two weeks. It is an excellent idea to call the three major credit bureaus in order to flag your credit report for possible identity theft. This will ensure that criminals can't use your stolen or lost identity to gain access to credit cards and other financial services. You can also ask for a credit freeze, which will stop criminals from opening unauthorised accounts in your name. If your license has been missing for a prolonged period of time, you should look into replacing it with an ID card instead. You can select between an enhanced ID card or an ordinary license. It is possible to do this online or at the DMV kiosk. The process is simple, and the fees involved are minimal. You should check the address on your ID card after you have received it. If you're not sure of your address, you should check your car insurance records or any previous correspondence from the DMV. It is recommended to change your address prior to requesting the replacement. If you own a newer version of your driver's licence it will include an electronic barcode that is used to authenticate the document. If the barcode on your card is damaged, it will not be recognized by authorities.