I’ve lost my provisional licence! What to do next
A lost provisional licence can be a real headache – here’s what to do if yours goes missing
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What to do if you lose your provisional licence
Losing anything is never ideal, but a lost provisional licence can feel like a real stress.
If you’ve got a test coming up or need your licence for ID, it can be tempting to panic if you realise your provisional licence is lost.
Luckily, it’s not the end of the world and it can be replaced.
Let us walk (or drive) you through the next steps if you’ve lost your licence, and how to get a replacement provisional.
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First thing to do if you’ve lost your licence
Okay, before you start to panic – here’s what to do if you think your provisional licence is lost.
Check thoroughly
Forgive us for stating the obvious, but have you had a proper good look for your lost licence?
It can be easy to get into a panic and miss an obvious spot if you think something important is missing, so take a moment to retrace your steps and check the usual locations.
Licences are slippery things that can easy get lodged in small places. It could be trapped behind another card in your purse or wallet, or slipped through a ripped lining in your pocket.
Reporting a stolen provisional
Licences are valuable things that can be targets for theft. If you think you licence has been stolen, you should get in touch with the police.
It’s not an emergency so you don’t need to be punching ‘999’ into your phone - but a stolen licence can put you at risk of fraud.
Make sure you report it to the police if your licence is stolen or you think it might have been.
How to apply for a replacement provisional licence
If you’ve had no luck finding your lost provisional licence, your next move is to apply for a replacement.
There are three different ways you can do this – online, by post, or by phone.
Online
You can replace your full or provisional licence on the gov.uk website. You’ll need:
Your address history from the past three years
And, if you know them:
Your driving licence number
National Insurance number
Passport number
You simply need to follow the instructions (including adding those personal details) and then make a £20 payment using your credit or debit card.
By phone
You can contact the DVLA by phone if you want to replace a provisional or full driving licence.
It’s only possible to apply over the phone if you have a photocard licence, none of your details have changed, and your licence wasn’t due to expire in less than 56 days.
The DVLA Driving Licence Enquiries phone number is 0300 790 6801 and the service is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 7pm, or 8am to 2pm on Saturdays.
Give that number a call and they’ll walk you through it.
By post
You can also apply for a replacement driving licence by post using a D1 application for driving licence form. These can be picked up from most Post Offices.
You’ll need to fill out the correct sections on the D1 form and post it to the DVLA. The D1 form typically comes with a handy leaflet that’ll help you fill it out.
It’s £20 to replace your driving licence by post. Payments can be made using a cheque or postal order.
Like an online application, you’ll need to provide proof of identity. This can be a passport number, birth certificate, or Biometric Residence Permit.
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How much is a replacement provisional licence?
It costs £20 to get a replacement provisional driving licence whether you order online, by post, or over the phone.
The only thing that changes is the payment method, as we explain above.
When will my replacement provisional licence arrive?
Usually, a replacement licence will arrive within three weeks of your application. You can track the process using your application reference number – that's the 14-digit code that should’ve been emailed to you after you applied.
Can I have driving lessons while I wait for my replacement provisional?
As long as your driving instructor has already seen your licence and confirmed everything is fine to go ahead, you should be okay to continue driving lessons while you wait for a replacement licence.
Can I do my theory driving test if I’ve lost my provisional licence?
You need to bring your provisional licence with you to your driving theory test to confirm you’re legally allowed to drive.
If you’ve lost your provisional, you’ll need to apply for a new licence beforehand, otherwise you’ll be turned away.
Can I do my driving test if I’ve lost my provisional licence?
Just like with your theory test, you can’t take a car driving test without a provisional driving licence.
You’ll need to apply for a new licence and reschedule your test for when you’ve received the replacement.
I’ve found my lost provisional after ordering a replacement – what should I do?
If you find your old licence after applying for a new one, you must return your old licence to the DVLA and explain what has happened.
You'll need to post it to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AB.
Lost provisional licence
See – it's not a huge stress if you’ve lost your provisional licence.
It can be annoying if you have an upcoming test and need to reschedule, but you can apply for a replacement and carry out your test once you get your new licence.
The £20 replacement fee isn’t too pricey either, and choosing to apply via post, phone or online gives you plenty of choice.
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