What Do You Do if You Have Lost Your Provisional Licence?

Below, we’ll outline what to do if you have lost your provisional licence and are based in England, Scotland or Wales. Be aware that if you’re in Northern Ireland, you’ll need to order a replacement licence via NIDirect rather than the DVLA.

How do you replace a lost provisional licence?

If you’ve lost your provisional licence, there are three ways to order a replacement via the DVLA – online, over the phone or by post.

Whichever way you choose, you’ll need to go to the replacement licence service offered by gov.uk. 

You’ll have to pay a replacement fee. A new licence costs £20, and you can pay via MasterCard, Visa, Electron or Delta debit, or credit card.

You’ll also need to provide some key information when you’re applying, including your national insurance number, UK passport and address history (more on this below). 

If you’re ordering your replacement provisional licence online, you’ll receive it within the week (the delivery time is longer for other options). 

Top tip: Once you receive your replacement licence, take a photo of it. That way, you’ll have the important information readily available in case of future damage or loss.

We’ve put together a handy table to help you compare the best way to order a replacement provisional licence:

What information do you need to replace your provisional licence?

If you’ve lost your provisional licence and are ordering a replacement, you’ll need to provide some key information:

• Full name, address history for the past three years, date of birth
• National Insurance number
• Driving licence number
• UK passport number (if available)

You’ll also need to have the capacity to pay the £20 fee for a replacement licence.

How much does it cost to replace a provisional licence?

The standard fee for a replacement provisional licence is £20, which you can pay via MasterCard, Visa, Electron or Delta debit or credit card.

Note that if the DVLA is responsible for any payment error, you’ll get a free replacement. 

Can you take your driving test without a provisional licence?

No – you can’t take either your theory or driving test without your provisional licence, which serves as legal ID of your eligibility to drive.

If you’ve ordered a replacement provisional licence and aren’t sure it will arrive in time for either your theory or driving test, you can rearrange them via gov.uk. 

What if your provisional licence is stolen or damaged?

If your provisional licence has been stolen, damaged or destroyed, there are different steps you’ll need to take. 

Stolen: If you’ve lost your provisional licence and know it’s been stolen, you need to inform the police. Provisional licences can be used for identity theft, so it’s essential you report the loss to relevant authorities to prevent any future complications.

Damaged or destroyed: If your provisional licence has been damaged, you’ll need to order a replacement via any of the three measures we outline above. You won’t face any penalties.

Be aware that you’ll need to return the old (damaged or destroyed) licence to the DVLA. If you find your old provisional licence after receiving your replacement, you’ll also need to return it to the DVLA. Send your old provisional licence via post to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AB. You’ll need to give the DVLA information about what has happened alongside your old licence.

How long does it take to get a replacement provisional licence?

If you apply to the DVLA for a replacement provisional licence either online or over the phone, you should typically receive it within a week (seven days).

If you order by post, the wait is longer at around three weeks.

Can you still drive while waiting for your replacement licence?

If you’re taking driving lessons, you do not legally need your provisional licence with you whilst you drive. 

Provided that you meet all learner requirements – have your L plates, insurance and supervision – then your driving instructor may allow you to continue with your lessons whilst you wait for your replacement. 

However, if you are learning to drive, as soon as you know you’ve lost your provisional licence, you need to promptly apply for its replacement.

Lost provisional licence while abroad – what should you do?

If you’ve lost your provisional licence abroad, unfortunately, you cannot apply for a new one until you’re back in the UK. 

If your driving or theory test is booked soon after your return, you may want to reschedule it so that you can be sure you’ll have your replacement licence.

Stay on track with your driving journey

Now you know what to do if you have lost your provisional licence! Thankfully, it’s easy to fix – you can order a replacement licence through the DVLA online, over the phone or through the post. 

Stay on top of your driving goals with helpful advice from My Car Credit. We overview everything from what to expect from your first driving lesson to the best learner cars.

Plus, once you’ve passed your test and are looking to finance a new set of wheels, we can help. We’ve got car finance options for first-time drivers looking to build their credit profiles – use our online car finance calculator to determine your eligibility today.

Lost your provisional licence? Frequently asked questions

Can I speed up the replacement process?

If you’re applying for a replacement provisional licence, the quickest and easiest way to speed up receipt of your replacement is by ordering it online via the DVLA.

Do I need to tell my driving instructor if I’ve lost my provisional licence?

If you’ve lost your provisional licence, you should inform your driving instructor. Provided that they have already seen your licence and you’ve ordered a replacement, they may be okay for you to continue your driving lessons whilst you wait for the replacement’s arrival.

Will losing my licence affect my car insurance?

Securing learner driver insurance requires you to have a legal provisional driving licence. Provided that you’ve applied for a replacement licence, your insurance should be fine – but failure to hold a legal licence can lead to points and a rise in your premium.

Can I still apply for a full driving test if my provisional is lost?

To take a driving and theory test in the UK, you’ll need your provisional licence. If you’ve lost your provisional licence and are waiting for its replacement to arrive, you’ll need to reschedule either test to ensure that you have your licence in hand on the day of your test.

Is there a penalty for losing my provisional licence?

There’s no financial penalty for losing your provisional licence in the UK. You’ll need to promptly order and pay the £20 fee for a replacement, but you won’t face any penalisation for having lost or damaged your provisional licence.