replacement of lost drivers license pennsylvania - PA

Lost, stolen, destroyed or never received your license? Replace your Pennsylvania Drivers license now and avoid going to the DMV. You'll need to fill out an application (which we will help you do) and send in payment via mail, for the replacement fee. There is also an online method which can be used to order a duplicate. If you feel more comfortable going in person, just visit any photo center to order your replacement. Finally, you can register to get our easy to use guide, which will give you a checklist and all of the necessary forms, procedures and steps.

For your complete Pennsylvania Replacement DMV guide please SIGN IN HERE.

General Information

PennDOT will check to make sure that you do not have any outstanding records in another state. If so, you will not be granted a replacement license. 

In Person

If you lost your license, it was stolen or if you never received the license you applied for, please follow these instructions:

1. Your first step is to find a photo center near you.
2. You'll need to fill out and print a DL-901 application for a renewal, replacement, update of a drivers license.
   • Please provide your driver's license number, full name, birth date, phone number, email address, and reason for replacement. 
3. Note: If your license is expiring in less than six (6) months time, you may not use the form in step 2. Instead, follow the drivers license renewal PA instructions.
4. If using the form in step 2, and you are trying to replace a license that was never received, the form must be notarized.
5. Make sure to bring money to pay for the fee of a replacement.
6. Your photograph will be taken and you'll be issued your new physical license card.

Note: Due to the stricter and more secure drivers licenses in PA, if this is your first license, you will be issued a temporary license. This temporary card will only be valid for fifteen (15) days. During these 15 days, the state of Pennsylvania will run a check to make sure that your image does not conflict with a previous person's image on file. You can read more about PA's temporary driver licenses here.

By Mail

1. Fill out and print a DL-901 application for a renewal, replacement, update of a drivers license.
   • Please provide your driver's license number, full name, birth date, phone number, email address, and reason for replacement. 
2. Note: If your license is expiring in less than six (6) months time, you may not use the form in step 1. Instead, follow the drivers license renewal PA instructions.
3. If using the form in step 1, and you are trying to replace a license that was never received, the form must be notarized.
4. Make payment for the replacement fee. Make payment to PennDOT. Only allowed forms are money order or checks. Do not send cash.
5. Mail all of the requirements above to the following address:
   
   Bureau of Driver Licensing
   P.O. Box 68272
   Harrisburg, PA 17106-8272
6. As long as PennDot has a photograph of you, your new replacement license will be sent. If not, a camera card will be mailed instead. It will arrive between seven (7) to ten (10) business days.
   • Note: You must visit a Photo Center if a camera card is sent to you. This is because you must have your photograph taken at an office. 

Online Messenger Service

By visiting one of the many online messenger service centers in Pennsylvania, you are agreeing to use a 3rd party service to handle your driver licensing request. These centers will charge you an additional fee to process your duplicate replacement license. This is on top of paying PennDOT's replacement fee.

1. Locate an online messenger office. Download this PDF list to find one near you.
2. The employees will help you get your replacement license.
3. Pay the replacement fee and the online messenger service fee. 

Cost to Replace Lost Pennsylvania Drivers License

Visit the following fee page to see the latest prices in PA.