How to change your address on your driving licence
Find out how you can change your address on your driving licence.
Moving can be one of the most stressful experiences of your life. From making sure everything’s packed correctly, to making sure your address is changed everywhere. There’s usually that one that you forget, but if it’s your car you could be looking at a fine.
Change your address on your driving licence online
Changing your address online is generally the quickest of the two, and you do it on the Gov.uk website. It doesn’t cost you anything and you can continue to drive while the change is happening. If you don’t change your address and get caught you can be hit with a fine of up to £1,000.
To complete the online form you’ll need your personal details, like name, address, date of birth, and driving licence number.
Change your address on your driving licence by post
Changing your address by post has 2 different processes, depending on whether you have a photocard driving licence or a paper driving licence. Generally, you can pick up the forms from your local post office and send them straight back.
Find out more about how to change your address by post.
If you’re still running with a paper licence, when you change your address, you will need to upgrade to a photocard licence at the same time.
The same general rules apply if you don’t change your address, you can be fined up to £1,000 and you can continue to drive while you wait for your licence to come back.
Ensure you update your address on other car documents
Other people related to your car will need to know you've moved. Use our checklist below:
| What I need to change | How? |
|---|---|
| DVLA (driving licence) | Online or by post at Gov.uk |
| Car insurance | Check with your provider, sometimes this can be done on their app or you may have to call them |
| V5C (log book) | Online or by post at Gov.uk |
| Road tax (only if you pay a monthly direct debit) | Online or by post at Gov.uk |
| Personalised number plate | Online or by post at Gov.uk |
When do I need to tell my car insurance provider about an address change?
Letting your car insurance provider know as soon as possible once you’ve moved is important. Updating your address means nobody will be receiving mail that isn’t theirs, and you’ll still be kept up to date with any important changes to your policy like renewal, or new terms.
Some providers will let you tell them in advance that you’re changing address and will set up the change for the day you move into your new home. But some may ask you to just let them know once you’re in and settled.
If you’re worried about any post going back to your old address, you can set up a mail redirect. This can make sure any post meant for your eyes only stays that way, as they’ll make sure all post goes to your new address.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
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