Guide
Lost your driving licence? How to replace it in the UK, India, the US, Canada and Australia
- Great Britain
- £20 online with DVLA, about a week
- India
- Form 2 on Sarathi, with a police complaint
- US, Canada, Australia
- Your state or provincial agency
Replacing a licence is quick when you know where to go and have your details to hand. Here is the official route in each country DigiSafe serves.
A real moment
“Your wallet is gone, and your licence with it. You need to drive on Monday, and you cannot remember your licence number, let alone where you put the letter it came with.”
In Great Britain, replace a lost licence online with DVLA for £20; it should arrive within a week. In India, apply for a duplicate in Form 2 on Sarathi with a copy of your police complaint. In the US, Canada and Australia, contact your state or provincial licensing agency.
The checklist
What to have ready
Last checked against the official sources on 26 September 2026
Great Britain (DVLA)
- EligibilityYou live in Great Britain and are not disqualified from driving. Northern Ireland has its own service.
- A sign-in, and maybe photo IDDVLA may ask you to prove your identity, usually with a passport.
- £20, by debit or credit cardThe fee to replace a lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed licence.
- A police reportDVLA says to contact the police.Only if your licence was stolen
- Form D1, from most Post OfficesD2 for a lorry or bus licence. Allow about 3 weeks.Only if you apply by post
India (Parivahan)
- Form 2, marked Duplicate Driving LicenceFilled in online on Sarathi, choosing your state.
- Copy of your police complaintForm 2 asks for it when a licence is lost or damaged.
- Attested copy of the old licenceHelps prove what you held.Only if you have one
- Originals and the fee slipFor your visit to the RTO where your last licence transaction was done.
United States
- Your state motor vehicle agencyEach state replaces its own licences. USA.gov lists every state's agency.
- Official IDRules vary, and many states ask for a document such as your birth certificate.
Canada and Australia (examples)
- Ontario: in person at ServiceOntarioBring ID showing your name, date of birth and signature. The fee is $35.75, and a temporary licence covers you until the new one arrives in 4 to 6 weeks.
- New South Wales: online, if eligibleWith a MyServiceNSW account and the fee. Your licence number stays the same, but the card number changes. Allow 15 business days.
The official route, country by country
What to do first if it was stolen
Why having the number saves time
Great Britain
£20 online with DVLA, about a week
India
Form 2 on Sarathi, with a police complaint
US, Canada, Australia
Your state or provincial agency
Stolen?
Tell the police first
Great Britain: replace it online with DVLA
Anyone living in Great Britain who is not disqualified from driving can replace a full or provisional licence online for £20. You sign in, and may be asked to prove your identity with photo ID. The licence should arrive within a week, or in about 3 weeks if you apply by post with form D1.
India: a duplicate through Sarathi
Parivahan issues a duplicate when a licence is lost, destroyed or defaced. Apply in Form 2 on Sarathi under services on your driving licence, attach a copy of your police complaint, then visit the RTO where your last transaction was done, with your originals and the fee slip.
US, Canada and Australia: your state or province
Licences are issued by states and provinces, so the rules and fees are theirs. In the US, USA.gov points you to your state motor vehicle agency. Ontario replaces licences in person at ServiceOntario, while New South Wales lets eligible drivers order one online.
If it was stolen
Tell the police: DVLA, Ontario and Parivahan all expect it. The FTC suggests reporting a lost or stolen licence to your motor vehicles office, which may flag the number, and checking your credit report. Ontario warns never to post images of your licence online.
If the old one turns up
In Great Britain, send the old licence back to DVLA, Swansea SA99 1AB, with a note explaining what happened. Do not keep driving on it once the new one is on its way.
Step by step
- 1
If it was stolen, tell the police first.
- 2
Find your licence number on your DigiSafe copy.
- 3
Apply through the official route for your country.
- 4
Keep any reference or temporary licence you are given.
- 5
Scan the new licence into DigiSafe, both sides.
- 6
Send back or destroy the old one as your licensing agency says.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to replace a lost driving licence in the UK?+
£20. GOV.UK lists the same fee for a lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed licence, and you can pay online by debit or credit card.
How long does a replacement licence take?+
In Great Britain, about a week online or 3 weeks by post. Ontario says 4 to 6 weeks by mail, with a temporary licence meanwhile, and New South Wales says within 15 business days.
Do I need an FIR for a lost driving licence in India?+
Form 2 asks for a copy of the police complaint you made when the licence was lost or damaged. Keep a copy with your application.
What if I find my old licence after replacing it?+
In Great Britain, you must return it to DVLA, Swansea SA99 1AB, explaining what happened. Elsewhere, follow your licensing agency's instructions.
Where this comes from
Official sources, dated.
Every requirement on this page comes from the official pages listed here, last checked on 26 September 2026. Rules change and offices can ask for more, so check the official page before you go.
- 1GOV.UK: Replace a lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed driving licencegov.uk
- 2GOV.UK: Driving licence feesgov.uk
- 3Parivahan: Duplicate licenceparivahan.gov.in
- 4Parivahan: Form 2 (PDF)parivahan.gov.in
- 5Parivahan: FAQsparivahan.gov.in
- 6USA.gov: Replace lost or stolen ID cardsusa.gov
- 7USA.gov: State motor vehicle servicesusa.gov
- 8FTC: Identity theft, a recovery plan (PDF)bulkorder.ftc.gov
- 9Ontario: Replace a lost, stolen or damaged driver's licenceontario.ca
- 10Service NSW: Replace a NSW driver licenceservice.nsw.gov.au
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