Many of our clients who have had their Texas driver’s licenses confiscated during a DWI stop aren’t aware that they can replace their license by reporting it as lost.

We recommend that every person who loses their license for any reason take swift action to replace their driver’s license. Even if your license was confiscated due to a DWI, you are still eligible to replace it for about 40 days after your arrest.

Getting a replacement license is crucial. The value of your driver’s license goes beyond allowing you to operate your vehicle. It also serves as your official state identification card, and as of May 7, 2025, you won’t be able to travel by air without a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, a valid passport, or U.S. military ID.

Here are the steps you need to take to replace a lost driver’s license in Texas.

READ MORE: What to do during a traffic stop in Texas

How to Replace a Lost or Confiscated Driver’s License

If you’ve lost your driver’s license – whether it was simply misplaced, stolen, or confiscated during a traffic stop – you should contact the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to report it as lost and request a replacement.

If your license was confiscated due to a DWI arrest, you will need to complete this process within about 40 days.

Otherwise, if you’re license is suspended, you won’t be able to get a replacement until your suspension period ends.

Even if you lose the ability to drive, you will still need a valid form of ID and this will be the simplest way to ensure you have one (though you will still be eligible for a State ID card).

You may be able to complete this process online, but if not, you will still be able to schedule an appointment at any Texas Driver License Center to obtain a replacement.

READ MORE: Implied consent in Texas

Are You Eligible to Replace Your Lost License Online?

Replacing a lost license online is by far the most convenient option, but there are several requirements:

• Your driver’s license is not expired (You cannot replace an expired card online)
• You are at least 18 years of age and your driver’s license is not a provisional or learner license
• Your Social Security number is on file with DPS
• Your license is not currently suspended or revoked (either within Texas or out-of-state)

The sticking point for many people is that they don’t have the access to the required information from their physical driver’s license. For this reason, we recommend that everyone keep a photocopy copy of their license in a place where it can be easily accessible if needed.

You won’t be able to complete the request online unless you also have:

• Your driver’s license number
• The audit number from your driver’s license. (If you don’t have your audit number, you must complete additional steps and pay an additional fee)
• A valid credit card
• The last four digits of your Social Security number
• Access to a printer to print your temporary license

The audit number is the small number across the bottom of your Texas driver’s license. 

We recommend that every Texas driver keep a photocopy of your license in a safe place so that you’ll always have these numbers if you need them.

If you don’t have your audit number but can’t get to a physical driver’s license center due to work conflicts, you will have to submit an Application for Copy of Driver Record by mail and pay an additional fee. The easiest way to do this is to pay a third-party website to handle the application on your behalf (this involves a small additional fee). A third-party company knows that you need and will get you the information within one business day while applying directly through the DPS can take up to a few weeks. 

In order to request a copy of your driving record, you will still need to be able to provide your driver’s license number. 

If you have questions about this process or the type of report you need to request, call 512-424-2600. 

Note: In Texas, the Department of Public Safety, or DPS, handles driver’s license replacements. You will not go through the Department of Motor Vehicles, or DMV, which handles broad programs such as vehicle registration, processing vehicle sales, and issuing license plates. DMV.org is a privately owned website that is not affiliated with Texas DPS.

Schedule an Appointment at a Texas Driver’s License Office

If you aren’t eligible to replace your license online, or don’t have your driver’s license number and/or audit number, you can visit any Driver’s License Office in Texas. It does not have to be located in the county in which you reside. The Texas Department of Public Safety offers a searchable database of offices in your area.

You Must Schedule an Appointment Online

As soon as you know that you need to replace your license at a physical Driver’s License Office, it’s important that you use the Texas Department of Public Safety’s online system to schedule an appointment. 

Walk-ins are not accepted. If you show up without an appointment, you will be directed to a self-service kiosk to try to set up a same-day appointment. DPS offers a limited number of same-day appointments, but check before you leave home. 

If there are no appointments available at your local driver’s license office, you will need to schedule your appointment at another location or keep checking for a cancellation. 

READ MORE: DWI vs. DUI

Documents Required to Replace Your Driver’s License

When you go to the driver’s license center, you must have the following documents and ID:

• Completed application for replacement
• Proof of identity (this can include a birth certificate or passport)
• Social Security card (if you don’t bring the physical card, your Social Security number will be verified electronically. If it cannot be verified, your replacement license will not be issued)
• Payment of $11 (You can pay by cash, check, money order, or major credit card)

If you haven’t provided it in the past, you will need to show proof of U.S. citizenship or, if you aren’t a U.S. citizen, evidence of lawful presence. This will be verified by the Department of Homeland Security. 

To simplify this process, you can bring any of the following documents to help DHS verify your residency:

• Valid U.S. passport book or card
• Valid Permanent Resident Card 
• Valid employment authorization document 

READ MORE: Driver’s license suspension in Texas

Take Action to Protect Your Driving Privileges

In addition to requesting your replacement driver’s license, you will need to take other actions to protect your driving privileges after a DWI. 

This includes requesting an ALR hearing within 15 days of your arrest and finding the best possible attorney to defend you.

At Michael & Associates, we have several members of our legal team who have been trained in gas chromatography to help contest your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test results and former prosecutors who are familiar with both sides of the ALR process. Our staff will carefully review police reports to ensure that your rights have not been violated. Our No.1 goal is a dismissal. Contact us today to set up a free consultation.

More Commonly Asked Questions We Get

Is it Legal for Me to Report My Driver’s License as Lost if it is Confiscated by Police?

Yes, as long as your license hasn’t been suspended for any other reason. However, you must replace it within a few weeks of your arrest.

Will Police Arrest Me for Trying to Replace My Confiscated Driver’s License?

No. You shouldn’t get into any trouble at all as long as your license hasn’t been suspended. The worst that could happen is that DPS will say they can’t issue a replacement. 

Why was my License Confiscated if Getting a Replacement is so Simple?

If you’ve been arrested for DWI (and your blood alcohol concentration is higher than .08 or you refuse sobriety testing), police can confiscate your license. However, it’s a formality. You will maintain full driving privileges for about 40 days, or – if you’ve requested one – until your Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing takes place.