How and when to change the address on a driving licence
There’s so much to do when you move that it’s easy for things to slip through the life admin cracks. But forgetting to change the address on your driving licence could lead to a nasty and expensive surprise.
There’s so much to do when you move that it’s easy for things to slip through the life admin cracks. But forgetting to change the address on your driving licence could lead to a nasty and expensive surprise.
When do I need to notify the DVLA and my car insurance provider about a change of address?
Ideally, you should notify the DVLA and your car insurance provider as soon as possible when you move.
You can update your address with the DVLA online or by post. Your insurance provider’s website should have instructions on how to register a change of address.
Updating your driving licence address online
The easiest and quickest way to change your address on your licence is by using the DVLA’s online form. It won’t cost you anything.
You’ll need your driving licence and your addresses for the past three years.
If you want to change your photo
- If your licence is valid for at least two more years, you’ll have to renew it to change your photo.
- If it’s valid for less than two years, you can change your photo when you change your address.
Updating your driving licence by post
You can also change the address on your licence by post.
If you have a photocard licence:
- Complete the ‘changes’ section on letter D741 that came with your licence and post it back to the DVLA
- Get form D1 ‘application for a driving licence’, available at most Post Offices. Then complete and post it to the DVLA.
If you still have a paper licence, you‘ll need to send the following to the DVLA:
- A completed form D1 ‘Application for a driving licence’ for car and motorbike licences, available at most Post Offices
- Your current driving licence
- Original documents confirming your identity, for example your passport number or other approved documents
- A passport photograph.
You can carry on driving while you’re waiting for your new licence to arrive.
Changing the address on your V5C and other vehicle documents
When you move, you‘ll also need to update your address on your registration document – also known as your log book or V5C – if you’re the registered keeper of your vehicle. You can do this online unless you need to also:
- Update your name
- Change your vehicle.
If you need to change either of the above, you‘ll need to apply by post, filling in the appropriate section in your log book. If you need to tax your car in the next month, you should do this before sending off your V5C.
Contact the DVLA if the new log book has not arrived after four weeks.
If you forget to update your log book, your vehicle tax reminder letter (V11) and any possible tax refunds will be sent to the wrong address.
What other changes do I have to tell the DVLA and my car insurance provider about?
You’ll need to notify the DVLA if you:
- Change your name or gender – see details of how to change these at GOV.UK.
- Develop a medical condition that could affect your driving. Check if your health condition needs to be reported at GOV.UK.
- Have lost, damaged or destroyed your driving licence. You can do this online at GOV.UK. You must tell the police if your licence is stolen.
You’ll also need to update the photo on a photocard driving licence every 10 years.
You could be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t let the DVLA know about a change of address or a medical condition.
You’ll need to tell your car insurance provider if you:
- Change your name
- Receive penalty points on your licence
- Were caught speeding
- Add a named driver to your policy
- Change the named main driver of your car
- Develop a medical condition that impacts your ability to drive
- Modify your car
- Change your car.
To find out how to notify your insurance provider of these changes, check their website.
Why do I need to tell my car insurance provider if I change my address?
The price of your car insurance is calculated using several different factors, including the vehicle’s registration address. If you move to an area that’s considered less safe (it has a higher crime rate, for example), your car insurance could cost more.
But telling your insurance provider about a change of address could also work in your favour. For example, if you’re moving to a safer area, you might find that the cost of your policy goes down.
If you don’t tell your insurance provider that you’ve moved, you could invalidate your policy.
Top tip:Don’t forget to let your insurance provider know of any other changes in circumstance. If a house move means you no longer keep your car on your driveway, for example, this could affect your premium. |
My car logbook and insurance are registered at different addresses. What should I do?
Update the document with your old address as quickly as you can. Try to update the address for all your motoring documents at the same time and as soon as possible after you move.
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Get a quoteFrequently asked questions
Do I need to change the address on my driving licence if I go to university?
No, you don’t need to tell the DVLA if you move temporarily (for example, you’re living away at university) and you can still be contacted at your permanent address.
How do I change other details on a driving licence, like name my name, title or gender?
You can change these details on your driving licence by post and there’s no charge. You’ll need to send the DVLA your old driving licence, plus any necessary supporting paperwork, along with a D1 form if you drive a car or motorbike. If you drive a lorry or bus, you’ll need form D2.
Is there a different process for changing a provisional driving licence address?
No, you use exactly the same process to change a provisional driving licence as a full driving licence. You can update your details online or by post.
You can carry on driving while you’re waiting for your new licence.
Can I put an overseas address on my British driving licence?
No, you can’t register your British driving licence at an overseas address. If you’re moving abroad, you need to contact the driving licence authority in your new home country to find out what to do.
Don’t forget that if you’re moving abroad and taking your car, take the log book with you too. You’ll need it to register your car over there.
My car insurance is registered at the wrong address. Does that make it invalid?
If your car insurance is registered at the wrong address, this could invalidate your policy. That’s why it’s so important to contact your insurance provider if you move house to get your address updated. And if you spot a mistake in the address, you should get that corrected straight away too.
