Lost New York Learner Permit: $17.50 Fee, Online vs. In-Person, and Stolen Permit Protocol

If your New York learner permit is lost, stolen, or damaged, you must request a duplicate from the DMV. Read full rules in the NY DMV Driver's Manual PDF. You cannot legally drive without either your plastic permit card or an interim/temporary paper permit issued by the DMV.

How to replace a lost or stolen New York learner permit

You can request a duplicate through the DMV replacement process that applies to you. The standard replacement fee is $17.50. If the permit was stolen or destroyed because of a crime, the police-completed MV-78B process may waive that fee.

Online Replacement

• Use the NY DMV online replacement service if you meet its eligibility rules.
• Pay the $17.50 replacement fee unless a waiver applies.
• The duplicate is mailed to the address DMV has on file.

Use the DMV mailing-status tool for shipment status. Detailed delivery timing belongs in the Processing Time guide.

In-Person Replacement

• Use the current DMV replacement instructions and bring the identity documents required for an in-person duplicate.
• Pay the $17.50 replacement fee unless an applicable waiver applies.
• If DMV issues an interim/temporary document, keep it until the mailed duplicate arrives.

Stolen permit: If the permit was stolen or destroyed because of a crime, follow DMV's MV-78B process before paying the replacement fee.

Can you drive while waiting for a replacement New York learner permit?

Do not assume that ordering a duplicate by itself gives you a document to carry while driving. If DMV provides a valid interim or temporary permit for your replacement transaction, carry that document; otherwise wait until you have a valid permit document before driving.

What should you do if you find your lost permit after ordering a replacement?

Use the newest valid document issued by DMV. A replacement gets its own document number, so do not keep using the older permit as though both documents are current.

Do you need a police report to replace a stolen New York learner permit?

A police report is not required for every paid replacement, but DMV recommends reporting stolen photo documents to local law enforcement. Police documentation is also relevant when you use the crime-related stolen-document fee-waiver process.

Can you replace a damaged New York learner permit online?

An unexpired learner permit can be replaced online, by mail, or in person when you meet the eligibility rules for that method. If the damaged document or your record prevents an online replacement, use the mail or office option allowed by DMV.

Can you replace a New York learner permit while temporarily outside the state?

DMV lists online, mail, and in-person replacement methods for an unexpired permit. If you are temporarily outside New York, use an eligible online or mail method and make sure the mailing address and delivery instructions will work for your situation.

Replacement cost and delivery time for a New York learner permit

The standard replacement fee is $17.50. A stolen or crime-related document may qualify for a fee waiver when the required police form is completed. For mailing timelines and delayed delivery, use the Processing Time guide.

Do not drive unless you have the physical permit or a DMV-issued interim/temporary document that can be used for the trip. Detailed consequences for forgetting or not carrying the permit belong in the dedicated driving-without-permit article.

Common New York lost permit situations and what to do

• Lost before a road test: replace the permit before test day and follow the dedicated Road Test Documents guide for the exact document requirement.
• Stolen permit: report the theft/crime as required for MV-78B and complete the DMV replacement process.
• Damaged permit: request a duplicate; if you need to drive before the mailed replacement arrives, check whether DMV can issue an interim document through the method you use.