How Much Is a Replacement License in Michigan?

A replacement driver’s license in Michigan costs $9 for a standard card and $24 for an enhanced card.¹ The fee is the same whether you apply online, at a self-service kiosk, by mail, or in person, and it’s set by Michigan’s Vehicle Code.² Your existing license has to still be valid — not expired, canceled, suspended, or revoked — to qualify for a duplicate.

What the $9 or $24 Covers

The $9 buys a replacement of a standard Michigan license. The $24 buys a replacement of an enhanced license, which carries additional security features and can be used in place of a passport to re-enter the United States by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean.³

If your current card is a basic non-REAL ID license, replacing it is a good moment to upgrade. There is no extra charge to convert to a REAL ID-compliant license at the same time you replace a lost or damaged card. Converting to REAL ID on its own, outside of a replacement or renewal, still costs the same $9 correction fee.⁴

An address change carries no fee of its own, so if you need to update your address while replacing your license, the only cost is the $9 or $24 replacement fee.⁵

One small add-on to know about: paying online with a credit or debit card carries a processing surcharge on top of the base fee. Paying by e-check avoids it.¹

Four Ways to Pay and Apply

Online Through ExpressSOS

The Secretary of State’s online portal is the fastest option for most drivers. Log in through the online services page, open the Driver’s License and ID section, choose More Driver Services, and follow the prompts. Payment is by credit card, debit card, or e-check.¹

At a Self-Service Station

Michigan operates self-service kiosks around the state that can print replacement licenses for non-commercial drivers when no new photo is needed. You only need your license number. The station prints a temporary license on the spot; the permanent card follows in the mail.⁶

By Mail

If you’re out of state or would rather not visit an office, mail a completed Duplicate Driver’s License Application to the Michigan Department of State, Internal Services Section, 7064 Crowner Drive, Lansing, MI 48918. The application can also be faxed to 517-636-5865. This is the usual route for students, military members, and anyone temporarily living outside Michigan, and a temporary extension permit may be mailed back to you if you won’t be returning soon.¹

In Person at a Secretary of State Office

You can schedule a visit at any Secretary of State branch. Bring proof of identification and your Social Security number. If you’re applying for an enhanced license and are not eligible for a Social Security number, bring a letter of ineligibility from the Social Security Administration along with proof of legal presence.¹

When You Have to Go In Person

An in-person visit is required if you’ve already changed your address or replaced your license within the past 28 days.⁵ Otherwise, any of the four methods works, and the fee is the same either way.

If Your License Was Stolen

Cost isn’t the only concern with a stolen card. Report the theft to your local police before applying for the replacement and keep a copy of the report.¹ A license carries your name, date of birth, address, and photo, so a stolen one creates real identity theft exposure.

The Federal Trade Commission recommends three steps beyond the police report:⁷

Place a fraud alert by calling one of the three credit bureaus: Experian at 888-397-3742, TransUnion at 888-909-8872, or Equifax at 800-685-1111. The bureau you contact is required to notify the other two.
File an identity theft report at IdentityTheft.gov or by calling 1-877-438-4338 to get a personalized recovery plan.
Monitor your accounts for unfamiliar charges and ask any company where you see fraudulent activity to freeze or close the account.

REAL ID and Enhanced: What You’re Actually Paying For

Michigan issues three types of driver’s licenses: standard (non-REAL ID), standard REAL ID-compliant, and enhanced. A REAL ID-compliant license shows a star in the upper right corner and meets federal requirements for boarding domestic flights and entering federal buildings. Since May 7, 2025, a non-compliant license without the star is no longer accepted at TSA airport checkpoints.⁸

An enhanced license does everything a REAL ID does and adds land and sea border-crossing capability. All enhanced licenses are automatically REAL ID-compliant, even if the physical card hasn’t been reprinted with the star.³ That’s what the $24 replacement fee reflects: the same replacement service, but for the card with more features.

Commercial Licenses Are Different

Replacing a commercial driver’s license involves federal checks that standard drivers don’t face. The state has to verify your medical certification through the Commercial Driver’s License Information System and check the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse before reissuing the CDL. A violation in the Clearinghouse blocks reissuance.⁹

CDL holders with a hazardous materials endorsement need TSA to confirm they don’t pose a security risk before the endorsement can be reissued; a valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential satisfies that requirement. The hazmat endorsement has to be renewed at least every five years, and each renewal triggers a new TSA screening.⁹

1
State of Michigan. License, ID or Permit Replacement
2
Michigan Legislature. Michigan Compiled Laws 257-812
3
State of Michigan. Enhanced License and ID
4
State of Michigan. REAL ID
5
State of Michigan. Address Change
6
Michigan SELF-SERVICE STATION. Registration Renewal and More
7
Federal Trade Commission. IdentityTheft.gov
8
Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID
9
eCFR. Part 383 Commercial Driver License Standards; Requirements and Penalties