Replacing a Lost License

Losing your license or having it stolen is an incredibly frustrating inconvenience. Leave it in a pants pocket just once and run it through the washing machine so it's unreadable, and you'll soon be reminded just how often you're asked to show your driver's license.

Unfortunately, your frustration might be compounded by the fact that in order to get a duplicate license, you'll need to visit a driver license office in person. Now that your primary form of ID is missing, the Driver License Division wants to see you in person and verify your identity before they hand you another license.

To that end, you will need to bring along acceptable proof of identity and proof of Social Security number―just like you did when you first got your license.

You'll find the form you need to fill out at the driver license office. In addition to verifying all your identity documents, they'll ask you to pay a fee for the duplicate license. It's only $10, but the replacement document will expire on the same date as the original.

When You're Away From Home

As much as you try to prepare for every possibility when traveling or residing out of the state or country, sometimes bad things happen. So what do you do if you lose your license when you're away from home? If you are traveling and in need of a replacement within a couple of days, you might be out of luck. The turnaround time to receive a replacement could easily exceed the time you will be on vacation; in fact, processing the out-of-state replacement or renewal application will take three to four weeks.

Unfortunately, there's no quick fix, but there are steps you can take to replace your missing license. Your new driver license will feature the digital photo already on file. If there is no photo available, you will be issued a "Valid Without Photo" license. To get started, you must submit:

• A Texas Driver License and Identification Renewal/Duplicate Application

• An Out of State/Country Application

• A check or money order in the amount of the appropriate fee

• Males ages 18 to 26: A Unites States Selective Service Registration form

Note: If you have been convicted of a traffic violation within the last four years, you must also have your vision checked at a driver license office, or else by a doctor who can complete an Explanation for Eye Specialist form that you will have to submit.

Here's what you'll need to have ready:

• A black pen. You must complete all applications in black ink.

• Your Texas residence address. To have your license sent out of state, simply indicate the proper mailing address on the Out of State/Country Application.

• Proof of Social Security number. Even if you are replacing a lost license, you still must include your Social Security number on the application. It will be checked against your existing driver record.

Mail the above documents and payment to:

• Texas Department of Public Safety

• P.O. Box 15999

• Austin, TX 78761-5999

If you have any further questions or concerns, call the License Issuance Bureau at (512) 424-2234.

Stolen Licenses

If your driver license has been stolen or used for fraud, you need to come into a driver license office in person to report it―right away. But before that, file a police report so it's on the books that someone else has possession of your identification.

The reason you must report the theft to the police is that it's the only way the Driver License Division can change the number on your license and render the previous one invalid―and unusable to the thief. You may even be asked to fill out a Forgery Affidavit at the driver license office, but if it will save you the heartache of having to rebuild your ruined credit later on, it's well worth the paperwork.

You may also want to visit the Identity Theft Information Guide to find out what else you can and should do if your ID has been stolen. This information is provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety.