If you’ve lost your Massachusetts driver’s license, the fastest fix is to order a replacement online through the RMV for $25. The new card arrives by mail in 10 to 14 business days, and if it hasn’t shown up after 30 days you should contact the RMV.1Mass.gov. Replace Your Driver’s License One thing to know before you pay: you cannot cancel or return a duplicate license once you’ve ordered it, so make sure the old one is truly gone.
Order the Replacement Online
The RMV’s Online Service Center is the quickest route. Nothing to upload, no appointment, no in-person visit. The form asks for your name, date of birth, driver’s license or learner’s permit number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, an email address, and the $25 fee.1Mass.gov. Replace Your Driver’s License If your information matches what the RMV has on file, the whole thing takes a few minutes.
Your SSN is verified electronically with the Social Security Administration under an existing data-sharing agreement, so you don’t need your card in hand.2Social Security Administration. Verification of SSNs Without Consent to State and Territory Motor Vehicle Administrations If something doesn’t match, the RMV will flag it and may ask you to resolve the discrepancy before your replacement is issued.
Online replacement doesn’t cover name changes. If your legal name has changed since your last license was issued, you’ll need an in-person appointment at a Service Center so your new signature can be captured.1Mass.gov. Replace Your Driver’s License
Other Ways to Replace It
By Phone
You can call the RMV’s Contact Center and request a replacement over the phone. The number depends on your area code:
- (857) 368-8000 for area codes 339, 617, 781, and 857, or callers outside Massachusetts
- (800) 858-3926 for all other Massachusetts area codes
- (877) 768-8833 (TTY) for people who are deaf or hard of hearing within Massachusetts
The information you’ll need is the same as online: name, date of birth, license number, the last four digits of your SSN, and the $25 fee.1Mass.gov. Replace Your Driver’s License
In Person Through AAA
The RMV is not currently issuing replacement licenses at its own Service Centers. If you want to handle this face-to-face, you have to be a AAA member and schedule a reservation at a AAA location.1Mass.gov. Replace Your Driver’s License Worth knowing before you drive to your nearest RMV branch and get turned away.
Mail is not an option in Massachusetts. Your three paths are online, phone, or AAA.
Fees and Payment
The replacement fee is $25 regardless of method. Payment can be by credit card, debit card, check, or money order.3Mass.gov. Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Fees A bounced check or credit card chargeback triggers an additional $15 fee.4Mass.gov. Schedule of Fees
Before ordering, confirm your mailing address in the RMV’s system is current. An outdated address means your new license ends up at your old home.
Driving While You Wait
Massachusetts does not appear to issue a printable temporary license when you order a replacement online or by phone. The RMV’s replacement page simply says the new card will arrive by mail. A AAA visit may include a temporary document at the counter, similar to the 60-day temporary ID the RMV issues when processing a new Mass ID card at a Service Center.5Mass.gov. Apply for a Massachusetts Identification Card (Mass ID)
During the 10-to-14-day wait, carry another form of government-issued photo ID if you have one. Your license status stays active in the RMV’s system without the physical card, but a police officer at a traffic stop still needs a way to verify who you are.
Renew Instead if You’re Close to Expiration
If your license expires in less than a year, renewing makes more sense than ordering a duplicate. Renewing resets the expiration date, so you’re not spending $25 on a card that becomes useless a few months later.1Mass.gov. Replace Your Driver’s License You can renew up to two years after your license has expired without retesting.6Mass.gov. Renew Your REAL or Standard Passenger (Class D) or Motorcycle (Class M) Driver’s License Check the RMV’s renewal page for current fees and eligibility.
Consider Upgrading to a REAL ID
Since May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 and older has needed a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable ID to board a domestic flight.7TSA. TSA Reminds Public of REAL ID Enforcement Deadline of May 7, 2025 If the license you lost was a standard card, replacing it with another standard card won’t help you fly or enter certain federal facilities. A loss can be a reasonable moment to upgrade.
Upgrading requires an in-person visit to an RMV Service Center with four documents:
- Proof of lawful presence, such as a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or permanent resident card
- Social Security verification, such as your SSN card, a W-2, or a similar document showing your full SSN
- Two proofs of Massachusetts residency, such as utility bills, a lease, a mortgage statement, or a bank statement dated within 60 days
All documents must be originals and cannot be laminated. Your current legal name must match across all of them; if it doesn’t, bring proof of each change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.8Mass.gov. REAL ID in Massachusetts The paperwork is heavier than a simple replacement, but it’s a one-time process.9Mass.gov. Identification Documents Checklist
Protect Yourself From Identity Theft
A lost license shows your full name, date of birth, address, and photo, which is enough for someone to attempt identity fraud. A few protective steps now can save trouble later.
File a Police Report If Theft Is Possible
Massachusetts doesn’t require you to report a lost license to law enforcement, but doing so is smart if you suspect it was stolen. A police report creates an official record that can help resolve disputes if someone misuses your identity, and some banks and creditors ask for a police report number before reversing fraudulent charges.
Place a Fraud Alert on Your Credit
Contact any one of the three major credit bureaus to place a free fraud alert; that bureau must notify the other two. A fraud alert lasts one year, forces businesses to verify your identity before opening new credit in your name, and can be renewed when it expires.10Federal Trade Commission. Identity Theft Steps The contact numbers:
- Experian: 888-397-3742
- TransUnion: 888-909-8872
- Equifax: 800-685-1111
Report to the FTC If Fraud Has Already Occurred
If someone has already used your lost license to open accounts or make purchases, report the identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov or by calling 1-877-438-4338. The FTC will generate an Identity Theft Report and a personalized recovery plan for undoing the damage.10Federal Trade Commission. Identity Theft Steps
Commercial Driver’s License Holders
Replacing a CDL involves extra scrutiny. The RMV must run your record through the Commercial Driver’s License Information System, a federal database that confirms you hold only one CDL nationwide and checks for disqualifications across all states.11U.S. Department of Transportation. Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS) The RMV also has to review your driving history from every state where you’ve been licensed over the past 10 years.12FMCSA. States – Commercial Driver’s License These checks take longer than a standard Class D replacement and may require an in-person visit. Contact the RMV directly to confirm what your situation needs.