Obtaining a Replacement License

Reasons to Obtain a Replacement License

If your driver's license or learner's permit is lost, stolen, damaged, or mutilated, you will need to obtain a replacement. Additionally, you may choose to replace your driver's license to change your address, change organ donor status or replace your Social Security Number with a DMV-assigned customer number.

If you must wear glasses or contact lenses when you drive, your driver's license will show this restriction. To have the restriction removed after having laser surgery to correct your vision, you must either:

• Visit a DMV customer service center and obtain a replacement license. You will be required to pass the vision screening without wearing glasses or contact lenses. Please note that you will not receive your new driver's license during your DMV visit. Driver's license applicants will be given temporary driving permits that cannot be used for identification purposes until their license is received in the mail. OR
• Submit a Vision Screening Report (MED4) by mail to: DMV Medical Review Services
  P. O. Box 27412
  Richmond, VA 23269-0001 The MED4 must indicate that you meet the minimum visual requirements without wearing glasses or contact lenses, and a physician must sign it. Medical Review Services will send you a letter confirming that the corrective lens restriction has been removed from your record. After you receive this confirmation, you may replace your driver's license online unless other conditions cause ineligibility.

If the expiration date on your license is less than six months away, you may choose to renew your driver's license instead of replacing it.

If you want to replace the photograph on your driver's license or learner's permit, you must also visit a DMV customer service center.

How to Obtain a Replacement License

1. At a customer service center:
   To obtain a replacement driver's license or learner's permit at one of our customer service centers:
   
   
   • Complete the application for a driver's license (DL1P). You may complete the form before or after coming to a DMV office.
     
     For your convenience, you may also apply to register to vote or change your voter registration address, when you complete either of these forms.
     
     You may also use the notification form to notify DMV of a change in your address or name. For more information, refer to change of address or name
   • Present two identification documents. (Only one primary document is required if you are under age 19.) Refer to "Acceptable Documents for Obtaining a Driver's License or Photo ID Card" (DMV 141).
   • Present one proof of legal presence unless you have previously proven legal presence and it has not expired. The Legal Presence requirements are:
     • You must present proof of legal presence in person.
     • If your learner's permit was issued prior to 01/01/04, you are "grandfathered" and do not need to prove legal presence when obtaining your original driver's license.
     • If you are replacing a valid, unexpired license issued prior to 01/01/04, you are "grandfathered" and do not need to prove legal presence.
     • If you are replacing your license that has been suspended or cancelled and your record does not already indicate that legal presence has been proven (and the limited duration time has not expired), you must prove legal presence.
     • If you are replacing your license that is revoked or expired for as little as one day, you must prove legal presence.
     • If you are authorized to be in the U.S. temporarily and have been issued a limited duration driver's license, the license cannot be replaced. A subsequent license will be processed as an original, and proof of legal presence is required. You will not be eligible to receive a limited duration ID card, or permit if your authorized stay in the U.S. is less than 30 days from the date of your application.
     • If you present a valid legal presence document without its required expiration date, you will be issued a limited duration license that is valid for one year. This does not apply to a U.S. birth document since it does not contain an expiration date.

The cost to obtain a replacement license is $10.

2. Online:
   You may also obtain a replacement driver's license online, using a DMV-issued PIN number, unless:
   
   
   • You hold a Commercial Driver's License (CDL).
   • Your license is suspended or revoked.
   • You are under age 18.
   • Other conditions may affect your eligibility to replace your license online.

   If you obtain a replacement online, DMV will use the photograph on your existing license. If you would like a new photo on your license, please visit one of our customer service centers.

If you currently hold both a driver's license and a photo ID, you will be required to surrender your photo ID card before you can receive a replacement license.