What to Do When Both Driver's License and ID Card Are Lost?
4 Answers
If both your ID card and driver's license are lost, you should first apply for a replacement of your resident ID card. The motor vehicle driver should apply for a replacement at the vehicle management office where the driver's license was originally issued. According to Article 12 of the "Resident Identity Card Law of the People's Republic of China": 1. When citizens apply for, renew, or replace their resident identity cards, public security authorities should process the applications promptly in accordance with regulations. Public security authorities should issue the resident identity card within 60 days from the date the citizen submits the "Resident Identity Card Application Form"; in areas with inconvenient transportation, the processing time may be appropriately extended, but the extension should not exceed 30 days. 2. During the period when citizens are applying for, renewing, or replacing their resident identity cards, if they urgently need to use the resident identity card, they can apply for a temporary resident identity card, and public security authorities should process the application promptly in accordance with regulations. Specific measures shall be stipulated by the public security department of the State Council. Relevant units and their staff must keep confidential the personal information of citizens obtained from resident identity cards during the performance of their duties or the provision of services.
Last month, I accidentally left my driver's license and ID card in the car and lost them. I was really panicked at the time, but I quickly calmed down and took action. First, I went to the nearby police station to report the loss. The officer gave me a loss certificate, which is very important to prevent others from using my identity to drive or conduct business. Then, I hurried to the public security bureau to apply for a replacement ID card, which required providing a household register or photos. It usually takes one to two weeks to get the new ID. After getting the replacement ID, I went to the vehicle management office to apply for a replacement driver's license. There, I had to fill out an application form and pay a small fee, but not being able to use my car temporarily was quite inconvenient—I had to take taxis to get around. I recommend keeping photos of your documents on your phone in case they get lost again, making it easier to check. Also, don’t forget to notify your friends and family to stay alert to avoid being scammed.
After losing two important documents, my biggest concern was identity theft and privacy issues. The first thing I did was to get a certificate from the local police station, then contacted the bank to report the loss of my cards to prevent unauthorized transactions—protecting personal information is crucial. Replacing the ID card can be done within a week if expedited. Once I got my ID back, I immediately went to the DMV to apply for a driver's license. The DMV is usually efficient and might issue a temporary paper license on the same day. However, I made sure not to drive at all before getting the license to avoid any risk of fines. For emergencies, I linked an electronic driver's license to Alipay for quick access. The whole process took some time, but after going through the system, I felt much more at ease. Remember to take photos and store copies in the cloud for future reference—this way, if anything gets lost, it's just a click away to resolve.
The process can be handled in three steps: First, report the incident and obtain a certificate by visiting the local police station. Second, replace your ID card by bringing photos and household registration materials to the public security department. Third, you can then replace your driver's license at the vehicle management office. The entire process takes about one to two weeks. It's safer to stop driving your vehicle during the period without a license. After replacement, check your car locks and anti-theft measures to prevent others from using the lost documents for mischief.
