What you need to do to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged Wisconsin driver's license
You can replace a Wisconsin driver's license in person at any Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Service Center, or by mail if your license is not suspended or revoked. The in-person route takes about 15 minutes and you leave with a temporary paper license the same day. The mail route takes two to three weeks but costs less and requires no trip. You will need to bring proof of identity, proof of Wisconsin residency, and your Social Security number or a document showing it.
The fee for a replacement license is $28 if you are replacing a lost or damaged card, or $33 if you are replacing a stolen card (the higher fee applies because you must report the theft to police first). If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot use either method—you must resolve the suspension or revocation before WisDOT will issue a replacement.
Key Takeaways
- In-person replacement at a WisDOT Service Center takes about 15 minutes and you receive a temporary paper license when ready; by mail takes two to three weeks but costs less and requires no trip.
- You must bring proof of identity (such as a passport or birth certificate), proof of Wisconsin residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and your Social Security number or a document showing it.
- A replacement for a lost or damaged license costs $28; a replacement for a stolen license costs $33 and requires a police report.
- If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot get a replacement until the suspension or revocation is lifted.
- The temporary paper license you receive in person is valid for driving while you wait for your permanent card to arrive by mail, which usually takes one to two weeks.
Replacing your license in person at a WisDOT Service Center
Walk into any WisDOT Service Center with your documents and the replacement fee. Bring one form of primary identification (passport, birth certificate, or naturalization certificate) and one form of secondary identification (Social Security card, W-2, or tax return showing your name and Social Security number). You also need one document showing your current Wisconsin address, such as a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.
The staff will take your photo, process your process, and hand you a temporary paper license valid for 30 days. Your permanent plastic card arrives by mail in one to two weeks. The temporary license works for driving, but some businesses may not accept it as proof of identity for non-driving purposes. Keep it with you until the permanent card arrives.
WisDOT Service Centers are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some locations open Saturday mornings. You do not need an appointment, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Call ahead or check the WisDOT website to find the center nearest you and see current wait times.
Replacing your license by mail
read the process for Wisconsin Driver License or Instruction Permit (Form DL-43) from the WisDOT website. Fill it out completely, including your name, address, date of birth, and the reason for replacement (lost, stolen, or damaged). Make a copy of your primary identification and your proof of residency, and mail both copies along with the completed form and your $28 fee to the address listed on the form.
Mail replacement is slower but costs less than in-person replacement for lost or damaged licenses. The process takes two to three weeks from the time WisDOT receives your envelope. You will not receive a temporary license by mail, so you cannot drive legally until your permanent card arrives. Do not use this method if you need to drive before your replacement arrives.
If your license was stolen, you must file a police report first and include a copy of the report with your mail process. The stolen-license fee is $33 instead of $28. Some police departments allow you to file a report online; others require you to come in person. Check your local police department's website to see what method they use.
What counts as proof of identity and residency
For primary identification, WisDOT accepts a U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or permanent resident card (green card). These documents must show your full legal name and date of birth. A photocopy is acceptable for mail applications, but you must bring the original to a Service Center.
For proof of residency, bring a document dated within the last 60 days that shows your name and current Wisconsin address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), lease or rental agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, bank or credit card statement, or insurance policy. A photocopy is acceptable for mail applications.
If you do not have a primary identification document, contact your nearest WisDOT Service Center before you explore. Staff can tell you what alternative documents they will accept and what additional steps you may need to take.
When you cannot get a replacement right away
If your Wisconsin driver's license is under suspension or revocation, WisDOT will not issue a replacement until the suspension or revocation is lifted. Suspensions and revocations happen for reasons such as unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, medical conditions that affect driving, or accumulation of traffic violations. You must resolve the underlying issue first.
To find out whether your license is suspended or revoked, visit the WisDOT website and use the Driver License Status Check tool. Enter your name, date of birth, and driver's license number. The tool will tell you when ready whether your license is valid, suspended, or revoked, and why. If it is suspended or revoked, the tool will also tell you what you need to do to restore it.
If you need to drive before your suspension or revocation is lifted, you may be able to obtain a Occupational License, which allows you to drive for work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs. An Occupational License requires a separate process and a hearing before a judge. Contact a WisDOT Service Center or a lawyer for information about whether you may have access to.
Protecting yourself if your license was stolen
If your license was stolen rather than lost or damaged, file a police report as soon as you know it is gone. A police report protects you if someone uses your stolen license to commit fraud or break traffic laws in your name. Keep a copy of the report for your records and include it with your replacement process.
After you file the report, monitor your driving record for activity you did not cause. You can check your Wisconsin driving record through the WisDOT website. If you see tickets or violations you did not receive, contact the court listed on the ticket and explain that your license was stolen. Bring your police report as proof.
Consider placing a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) if you are concerned that the thief may use your personal information for identity theft. A fraud alert tells creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name.
What happens after you submit your process
If you applied in person, your temporary paper license is valid when ready. Your permanent plastic card is mailed to the address you provided on your process. If the address on your process is different from the address on your old license, make sure you told the WisDOT staff about the change so the card goes to the right place.
If you applied by mail, WisDOT processes applications in the order they are received. Once your process is processed, your permanent card is mailed to you. You will not receive a confirmation email or letter; the first notice you get is the card itself arriving in your mailbox. If your card does not arrive within three weeks, contact a WisDOT Service Center to check the status of your process.
Your new license will have a new number and expiration date. Wisconsin driver's licenses are valid for eight years from the date of issue. If your old license was close to expiring, your new license will still be valid for eight years from the date you received it, not from the date your old license would have expired.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with the temporary paper license I get at a Service Center?
Yes. The temporary paper license is valid for 30 days and works for driving. Some businesses may not accept it as proof of identity for non-driving purposes, such as opening a bank account or buying alcohol, but law enforcement will accept it as proof that you are licensed to drive.
What if I move to a different address before my replacement card arrives?
Contact a WisDOT Service Center when ready and give them your new address. They can update your address in the system so your card is mailed to the correct location. If your card arrives at your old address, you may be able to pick it up from the new resident or contact the post office to have it forwarded.
Do I need to take a new photo for my replacement license?
Yes, if you replace your license in person at a Service Center. If you replace it by mail, WisDOT uses the photo from your old license. If you want a new photo on a mail replacement, you must go in person instead.
What if I lost my license and do not have a police report?
You do not need a police report for a lost license, only for a stolen one. If your license is lost, you pay the $28 replacement fee. If you later discover it was stolen, you can file a police report at that time, but you do not need to reapply for your license.
Can someone else pick up my temporary license at a Service Center if I cannot go in person?
No. You must be present in person to have your photo taken and to sign your process. No one else can do this for you.