To replace a lost driver's licence in Ghana you need your Ghana Card, a police extract confirming the loss, and eye test results, then you apply, pay the invoice and attend DVLA in person; a damaged or defaced licence follows almost the same steps, except that you hand in the old card instead of a police extract. DVLA verifies your record, issues a temporary licence, and gives you a date to collect the new card. In October 2026 DVLA's fee list showed GHS 394.25 on Regular service under "Lost License" and GHS 348 under "Lost Damaged License Service"; your invoice shows which applies.
Lost, stolen, damaged or expired: pick the right service
DVLA treats these as different services with different documents and prices, so the first job is to describe your situation correctly.
| Situation | DVLA service | Key extra requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Licence lost or stolen | Replacement of lost licence | Police extract |
| Licence worn, cracked or defaced | Replacement of damaged or defaced licence | The old licence itself, plus eye test results |
| Licence expired, still in hand | Renewal, or replacement of an expired card once it is due | Eye test; see renewal guide |
| Temporary licence lost or damaged | Replacement of missing or damaged temporary licence | Ask DVLA what it needs for your case |
| Learner's permit lost | Missing learner licence service | Ask DVLA; see the learner's licence guide |
Replacing a lost licence
The requirements on DVLA's services page are short:
- Your Ghana Card, with you attending in person.
- A police extract.
- Eye test results.
The steps run in this order. Complete the form and online invoice, pay, then present your Ghana Card and the police extract. DVLA verifies your record, you complete the eye test and any other required tests, collect a temporary licence, and later pick up the actual licence on the due date. The police extract is the item people forget. It is obtained from the Ghana Police Service after you report the loss, so start there before you go to DVLA.
Replacing a damaged or defaced licence
DVLA lists the same Ghana Card, in-person attendance and eye test results, plus the old or defaced licence, but not the police extract. You complete forms and an online invoice, pay, submit the receipt, and DVLA verifies the record against what it holds. After the eye test and any other tests, you are given a temporary licence and a date for the actual card. If your licence has faded to the point where the text is hard to read, replace it before a roadside check forces the issue.
What it costs
These are charges from DVLA's online fee list, read in October 2026:
| Service | Regular | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Lost licence (listed as "Lost License") | GHS 394.25 | GHS 542.25 |
| Lost or damaged licence (listed as "Lost Damaged License Service") | GHS 348.00 | GHS 496.00 |
| Missing or damaged temporary licence | GHS 202.25 | GHS 292.25 |
| Replacement of an expired licence | GHS 241.25 | GHS 354.25 |
The list also has a "Damaged License" line priced only for Premium service, at GHS 496.00. The labels do not map neatly onto DVLA's service descriptions, so check which service the invoice the portal generates for you names before you pay. Charges for a lost or damaged learner's permit are on the learner's licence page. The eye test and any police fees are separate, and our fees guide explains why Premium and Prestige prices differ.
Driving while you wait
Police can ask to see your licence at a roadside check, and a police extract or a DVLA payment receipt is not a licence. Until DVLA hands you a temporary licence, the safe course is not to drive. Under the 2026 regulations, offences carry fines set in penalty units, as summarised in our guide to road rules and fines. Starting the replacement the day you notice the loss keeps that gap short.
Protecting yourself after a theft
- Report the theft to the police and keep the extract safe.
- Tell your insurer if the licence was stolen alongside vehicle documents.
- Check whether other documents, such as a vehicle registration card or a bank card, were in the same bag.
- Keep a clear photo of your licence somewhere secure, so you know its number and expiry date.
A photo is not a legal substitute for the card, but it gives you the details you need when reporting the loss and filling in the application.
If your name or details have changed
A replacement is not the right moment to correct a name or other details by accident. DVLA lists a separate change-of-details service that requires a gazette notice of the change, a completed online form with invoice and a payment receipt. Do that first if the card is going to be replaced anyway, so the new card carries the right information. Ask DVLA how to update your phone number (its fee list has a Record Amendment service), because renewal reminders go by SMS to the number on your record.
A checklist for your visit
- Report the loss and get the police extract (lost licence only).
- Book and complete the eye test at a designated clinic.
- Generate the DVLA invoice and pay it.
- Take your Ghana Card, receipt and the extract (or the damaged licence) to DVLA.
- Collect the temporary licence and note the date for the actual card.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to replace a lost driver's licence?
A Ghana Card, a police extract, eye test results, and an online application with a paid invoice, with you attending DVLA in person.
How much does a replacement cost?
DVLA's October 2026 list showed GHS 394.25 (Lost License) and GHS 348 (Lost Damaged License Service) on Regular service; your invoice shows which applies.
Do I need a police extract for a damaged licence?
No. DVLA's page lists the police extract for lost licences only. For a damaged or defaced one, you bring the old licence instead.
How long does a replacement take?
DVLA issues a temporary licence and gives you a collection date for the card. Ask at the counter how long replacements are taking at your office, and carry the temporary licence until the card is ready.
Can I drive while waiting for the new licence?
The temporary licence issued by DVLA covers that period. Before you receive it, you do not have a licence to show, so avoid driving.