Duplicate Driving License Punjab: Process for a Lost or Damaged Card

Last updated: October 2026. Official portal: dlims.punjab.gov.pk/fee_structure.

A duplicate driving license in Punjab replaces a card that is lost, stolen, damaged, or too worn to read, without making you repeat the learner stage or the driving test. This guide walks through when you actually qualify for a duplicate instead of a renewal, the step by step process through Dastak, and the official duplicate fee by category. For the full general fee breakdown across every licence type, see our driving licence fee guide, since this page focuses specifically on duplicates.

When You Need a Duplicate

A duplicate request applies when your existing licence record is still valid, but the physical card itself is the problem.

• The card was lost or stolen
• The card is physically damaged, cracked, or the chip or print is unreadable
• The printed details are no longer legible due to wear

If your licence has actually expired rather than just being damaged or missing, that is a renewal, not a duplicate, covered separately in our renewal guide. The official fee structure also notes that if you apply for a renewal and your original licence is not available, the duplicate fee gets added on top of the renewal fee, so these two situations can combine.

Step by Step: Applying for a Duplicate Through Dastak

1. Log in to your Dastak account linked to your existing DLIMS record
2. Select the duplicate licence request for the correct category
3. Confirm your CNIC and personal details match your existing record exactly
4. Generate the PSID for the duplicate fee and pay through ATM, online banking, or mobile banking
5. Wait for approval, then processing and courier dispatch of the new card

If you are stuck logging into the account tied to your original licence, resolve that first through our login problem guide rather than attempting to register a fresh account.

Documents Needed for a Duplicate Request

A duplicate application generally follows the same document pattern as any other DLIMS request, built around confirming your identity against the existing record rather than proving a fresh case from scratch.

• A clear scanned copy of your CNIC front and back
• A current face photo meeting the usual portal standards
• A medical certificate if you are above 50 years old, since this requirement does not disappear for a duplicate request

For the exact photo and scan quality that avoids a rejection, our document upload guide applies the same standards here, even though it was originally written around learner licence uploads.

Duplicate Licence Fee by Category

According to the official DLIMS fee structure, duplicate fees are charged separately from the courier fee, and the amount depends on your licence category.

The fee structure notes that when a licence covers a combination of categories, the highest category fee in that combination applies rather than adding each category separately. Always confirm the exact total shown on your own PSID before paying, since these figures can be revised by the department.

Duplicate Plus Renewal: What Changes

If your licence has both expired and gone missing at the same time, the official rule combines both charges, duplicate fee plus the applicable renewal fee, rather than letting you pay only one. Plan for the higher combined total in this situation instead of being surprised at the PSID stage.

What Happens to the Old Licence Record

Your underlying DLIMS record, including your licence number, category, and history, stays the same with a duplicate request. Only the physical card is reissued. This is different from a category upgrade, where you are adding a new category to that same record rather than replacing a lost card, which we cover separately in our category upgrade guide. Since the DLIMS record itself is centralised rather than tied to a specific district office, you can generally submit a duplicate request from wherever you happen to be, as long as you can log in to the correct account, rather than needing to visit the office where you originally applied.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a police report to apply for a duplicate licence?

The DLIMS application itself does not list a police report as a required upload for a duplicate request. If your institution or employer requires proof of loss separately, confirm that requirement with them directly, since it sits outside the DLIMS process.

How long does a duplicate licence take to arrive?

Timing follows the same approval, printing, and courier stages as any other request. Your digital e-licence is typically available sooner than the physical card, so use that while you wait.

Can I apply for a duplicate if my licence is also expired?

Yes, but the official fee structure adds the duplicate fee on top of the renewal fee in that case, so expect a combined total rather than the duplicate price alone.

Is the duplicate fee the same for every category?

No, it ranges from a small fee for simpler categories like motorcycle up to a higher fee for combined or heavier categories, as shown in the table above.

Can I track my duplicate application the same way as a new application?

Yes, duplicate requests appear in the same dashboard. See our tracking guide for what each status stage means.

Can I use my e-licence while waiting for the duplicate card to arrive?

Yes, once your duplicate request is approved, the digital copy is generally available the same way it is for any other request, so you are not left without proof of a valid licence during the courier wait. See our e-licence download guide for the exact steps.

Sources and Disclaimer

Fee figures above are drawn directly from the official DLIMS fee structure at dlims.punjab.gov.pk/fee_structure, checked in October 2026. dlimsonline.pk, maintained by Musa Tariq, is an independent information site and is not affiliated with the Government of Punjab, DLIMS, or Dastak. Government fees can change without notice, so confirm the exact amount shown on your own PSID before paying. Report an outdated figure through contact us.