I've lost my UK driving licence but I'm Irish so don't have British passport so can't get replacement online. Help!

[HonchoHead]

The online process seems to suggest that you need to have a UK passport but I don't have one as I'm from Republic of Ireland.
It's quite difficult even finding a phone number for DVLA.
Any suggestions appreciated?

DVLA are unlikely to answer the phone and have a massive backlog. You could try the twitter feed - they may not answer but someone who has done something similar may be able to help.

do not, whatever you do, send any paper or ID docs to them - there are people who have been waiting since January for those!

It says if you know the the passport no, they'll use it. Have you tried going through it and seeing what it does if you dont put it in?
Have Irish passport would be in same boat

There is a phone number but looks like they’re only taking calls from critical workers:

live.email-dvla.service.gov.uk/w2c/en_gb/forms/CriticalWorkerHomeVehicles

If you know the licence number and have an NI number, can you try applying but omitting the passport number? I would think they’d require you to send a recent photo as they wouldn’t be able to use a photo from a UK passport?

To replace your licence you’ll need to:

be a resident of Great Britain (there’s a different service in Northern Ireland)
not be disqualified from driving for any reason
pay £20 by MasterCard, Visa, Electron or Delta debit or credit card
provide addresses where you’ve lived for the last 3 years
Provide your driving licence number, National Insurance number and passport number if you know them.

www.gov.uk/apply-online-to-replace-a-driving-licence

Thank you so much @MegCleary in particular but also @SabrinaThwaite

I went through and didn't put in a passport number and it worked fine, just had to enter my National Ins no.

I think it's poorly worded on the first page and that combined with my stupidity ...!

Costs £20 but worth it.
Bet I find my lost licence before it arrives!

Glad you got it sorted, always a pain these things.

Good stuff! Glad you got it sorted.