How to Report a Lost Drivers License
A stolen driver's license can leave you susceptible to identity theft. It offers the burglar with your name, date of birth and other key individual details.
Fortunately, it's fairly easy to get a replacement license when you report the lost one to your state's DMV. Here are a few of the actions you should take to ensure your safety and protect yourself moving on.
Retract Your Steps
Losing your license is a demanding experience, but it's important to do something about it immediately to safeguard yourself from identity theft or someone utilizing your license to dedicate a criminal activity. Not only is losing your drivers license an inconvenience, however it might likewise lead to crooks stealing your monetary information and developing fraudulent credit and bank accounts in your name. By reporting your lost license to the appropriate authorities you can produce a proof that will help avoid these crimes from taking place.
Before you do anything else it's essential to try and keep in mind where you might have lost your license. You can do this by retracing your steps in reverse chronological order, beginning with the last place you keep in mind having it. This will offer you a good concept of where to try to find your license and can help you discover it much faster.
After you've backtracked your steps you need to call the department of motor cars in your state if you still can't find it. They can normally inform you exactly what to do in this circumstance as each state has unique regulations when it comes to changing a lost drivers license. You will likely need to submit a form and provide identity and residency paperwork such as a passport, birth certificate or energy expense. You will also most likely have to pay a charge to get a replacement license also.
Some states enable you to change your lost license online, which is ideal as it permits you to supply the needed information from the comfort of your own home. However, if you choose to visit the DMV face to face that is likewise a choice.
Contact Your State's DMV
If you are a New York citizen who loses your license out of state, it's important to without delay report this loss so that you can change it. In addition to the truth that it's unlawful to drive without a legitimate license, delaying acquiring a replacement can also cause you other problems such as difficulty completing daily activities or receiving the physical mail.
In order to ask for a replacement license, you must have a legitimate e-mail address and an individual identification number (PIN). If you have an existing DMV account, you can visit and begin the process online. If you do not have an existing DMV account, you can complete the application in person or by mail. The application will need you to supply your name, date of birth, driver's license or ID card number, or the last four digits of your Social Security Number and your ZIP code. You may also be needed to supply evidence of your identity in the form of a current picture ID, or photocopy of your license and the front and back of your Social Security Card.
Once you have sent your request, you will receive a momentary license and can continue to drive until you receive your official replacement in the mail. You ought to make certain that the DMV has your existing mailing address on file, and you can do this by updating it on your account. You can likewise conserve time by getting a renewal rather than a replacement, but the fee will be the exact same in either case.
Another thing you can do to help keep your information safe is to sign up for a service like Identity Guard. This will help monitor your credit and bank accounts for any suspicious activity and protect you versus identity theft when it occurs. It can even scan the Dark Web to see if your license has been exposed there, so you can take steps to clean up any issues before they worsen. Try Identity Guard today for a risk-free trial. Plans begin at $6.67 a month.
File a Police Report
Regardless of being a relatively minor piece of documents, your driver's license consists of essential information that can be used to steal your identity. If it is stolen, somebody can use it to open new credit cards, monetary accounts and more. This is why it is crucial to submit an authorities report about your lost drivers license as soon as possible. This will alert the authorities that your identification has actually been stolen, which can help prevent further misuse of your individual information.
To do so, you ought to call the non-emergency number for your regional police. They will let you know the next steps. Typically, you will be asked to provide as much info as you can, including the identification number and date of concern for your driver's license, in addition to any other information that may be pertinent. You can also ask the officer to position a flag on your file, which will inform police that it was reported as stolen and must not be utilized for any purposes.
Some people question whether it is needed to make a cops report about a lost drivers license because they are not required by the law to do so. Nevertheless, this is a very crucial step that will not only guarantee that the correct authorities know your missing out on license, but it will also produce a proof in case you need to contest any unfavorable remarks that appear on your record due to crimes committed in your name.
The last thing you desire is to have to deal with the consequences of identity theft, which can take years to surface area. If you haven't reported your missing out on license to the authorities, the burglar can quickly access other details on your file like your address, phone number, date of birth and social security number, all of which could be used to take your identity.
In addition to filing a cops report, you will also require to submit a state-specific form, which is usually called an "extra statement" or something comparable. The procedure for doing this will differ from one state to the next. For instance, if you reside in New York and have a driver's license that was stolen or lost, you will require to complete Form MV78 (MV78) and connect it with your request for a replacement. The kind requires you to include your name, driver's license number and SSN, as well as a check or money order for the correct charge.
Request a Replacement
As quickly as you can, apply for a replacement for your lost drivers license. It's also an excellent concept to report it to the cops, so you have proof that your driver's license was stolen and can help law enforcement track down the criminal. This will secure you in case the wrongdoer is attempting to utilize your info in other methods, like declare a modification of address with the post workplace or selling your identity on the Dark Web.
You can replace a drivers license online in New York or by visiting a local service center or Motor Vehicle Commission agency workplace. If you pick to go to an office, make certain to bring your photo ID and proof of address with you. The procedure for replacing a license in person will differ from the online application, however it will require you to offer the exact same info. Most of the times, a temporary driver's license will be offered to you while waiting for your new file to show up in the mail.
When obtaining a replacement, you will be asked to confirm your current mailing address. If your address is not up to date, you will be needed to submit a Request for Change of Address kind (MV-44) together with the appropriate documentation. The MV-444 waiver does not apply to online applications, so you will be required to supply your appropriate address if you are using that choice.
The MV-444 form will also ask you if your name has changed because the original file was provided and if you desire the new replicate to show that change. You will be needed to offer evidence of your name modification, such as a marital relationship certificate or court order, together with any other proof of identity you are needed to offer for your particular state.
If you are a new driver or a novice REAL ID candidate, your application will consist of an interview to discuss your eligibility and offer additional recognition. You can schedule your interview online or face to face and must be prepared to supply appropriate recognition files at the consultation, consisting of proof of your name and date of birth. You will be required to pay the appropriate fee for your new document and may be subject to a vision test.