What to Do If Driving License Is Lost?
2 Answers
If your driving license is lost, there is no need to report the loss. You just need to apply for a replacement at the vehicle management office in time. However, when applying for a replacement, you need to fill out a written statement of loss for the motor vehicle driving license to prove that the license has indeed been lost and to declare that you will not be responsible for any improper consequences caused by the lost license. More details are as follows: 1. You cannot drive if your driving license is lost. According to Article 28 of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China", motor vehicle drivers are not allowed to drive if their driving license is lost, damaged, expired, confiscated, suspended, or if they have accumulated 12 penalty points. 2. The methods for replacing a driving license are as follows: (1) The first method is to personally go to the vehicle management office for replacement. You need to bring your original ID card and a copy of it. Non-local residents also need to bring their original residence permit and a copy to the nearest vehicle management office. At the office, fill out the "Motor Vehicle License and Permit Application Form", then submit the documents and the completed form to the office staff and pay the service fee. (2) The second method is to authorize someone else to handle it for you. In this case, you need to fill out the "Motor Vehicle Business Power of Attorney", provide the original organization code certificate of the unit, the original unit authorization letter, the original second-generation ID card of the authorized person, and go to the corresponding window of the vehicle management office (or traffic police brigade) with the unit's contact number and the authorized person's mobile phone number.
That time I lost my driver's license, I was panicking, afraid someone might pick it up and commit violations. I went straight to the nearest DMV that same day, bringing my original ID card. At the counter, I filled out the loss report form, detailing when and where it was lost. The staff entered it into the system and said that after reporting the loss, new violations wouldn't be counted against me, but I needed to apply for a replacement to be fully secure. I immediately applied for a replacement, submitted a copy of my ID and two photos, paid a 30 yuan fee, and got my new license three days later. During this time, I made sure not to drive to avoid being caught driving without a license. I always advise friends to keep a photo of their driver's license on their phone as a backup, so they can quickly access the details if it's lost. The whole process isn't actually difficult; the key is to act fast—delaying only increases the risks.
