How to Change Your Driving Licence Address
We all know that moving house can be a stressful experience. What many drivers don't realise, however, is that you could unknowingly break the law by not updating your driving licence when you change address. That's right—you need to inform the DVLA when you've moved, or risk a hefty fine. To avoid that, you need to know exactly how to change the address on your driving licence.
In this guide, we’ll explain why it’s important to update your details and how to go about it.
Do I really need to inform the DVLA when I change my address?
It doesn’t matter if you’re a learner driver with a provisional licence or a fully qualified driver with a full licence; you must inform the DVLA when you change your address. While it might seem like a hassle, there are some important reasons why this is necessary.
Firstly, notifying the DVLA of your address change ensures they have accurate contact details for you, allowing them to get in touch when necessary. Failure to update your address can lead to complications later on. For example, if you need to make an insurance claim and the address on your licence doesn’t match the one on file, you could find yourself waiting weeks for them to sort things out. Plus, if you lose your licence, you'll want to be sure that anyone who finds it can return it to the right address!
Don't worry, though—you’re still allowed to drive while waiting for your new documents. It’s also worth noting that you don’t need to inform the DVLA about temporary address changes (e.g., if you’re staying somewhere else for university), as long as they can still contact you at your permanent address.
What happens if I don’t update my licence?
According to GOV.UK, “You could be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell the DVLA when your address changes.” That's a significant fine just for forgetting to update your address. It’s still far easier (and cheaper!) to spend half an hour filling out a form than to face a £1,000 penalty.
In addition to your driving licence, you’ll also need to update your vehicle log book (V5C) and vehicle tax Direct Debit details if applicable.
How to change the address on your driving licence
The DVLA makes it easy to change your address on both learner and full licences. You can update your address online or by post, and both methods are free unless you wish to update your photograph at the same time.
If you want to update your name alongside your address, you’ll need to apply by post, not online. If you’re moving abroad, you can’t register your new address on your British driving licence. Instead, you should contact the driving licence authority in your new country of residence.
Applying online
What you need:
Before you begin your online application, make sure you have the following:
- Your driving licence
- You must be a resident of Great Britain (there is a different process for Northern Ireland residents)
- The addresses you’ve lived at for the last 3 years
- You must not be banned from driving
When filling out the application, you’ll also need to provide your driving licence number, National Insurance number, and passport number.
Changing your photograph
If you’re keen to update that photo you’ve been stuck with since you first got your provisional licence, here’s your chance! You may be able to change it while updating your address—if your licence is valid for less than two years. If your licence is still valid for two years or more, you’ll need to wait until you renew your licence.
To update your photo, you can:
- Use the same photo as your passport
- Send in a passport-style photo (you won’t be able to do this online; instead, you’ll receive instructions by letter on how to submit your photo).
Changing your photo costs £14, but there’s no fee if you're over 70 or have a medical short-term licence.
How to apply online
To get started, simply follow the online instructions and make sure you double-check everything before confirming. Once you’ve completed your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email. You may also be asked to participate in a research questionnaire, but that’s entirely optional.
Your updated driving licence should arrive within a week of your online application. If you don’t receive it within three weeks, contact the DVLA.
Applying by post
If you prefer to apply by post, the process is just as straightforward. You’ll need to fill out a form and send it to the DVLA. The process varies slightly depending on whether you have a paper or photocard licence.
Photocard licence holders:
When you received your photocard licence, it should have come with a D741 form for updating your address. If you still have this form, just fill out the ‘changes’ section. If you can’t find it, don’t worry—you can order a replacement form online or pick one up from your local post office. For cars and motorcycles, you’ll need form D1. For lorries and buses, use form D2.
Once you’ve completed the form, send it along with your photocard driving licence to the DVLA at:
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BN
If you want to change your photo at the same time:
You can update your photo when applying by post. You’ll need:
- A recent passport-style photo
- A cheque or postal order for £17 (payable to the DVLA)
If you’re over 70 or have a medical short-term licence, you won’t have to pay this fee.
If you’ve changed your name at the same time:
To change your name and address at once, include proof of your name change (e.g., a marriage certificate, deed poll, etc.) with your application.
Paper licence holders:
Paper licences were replaced by photocard licences in 2015, so only pre-1998 paper licences are still valid. If you have one, you’ll need to send:
- Form D1 for car and motorbike licences, or form D2 for lorry and bus licences
- Your paper driving licence
- Original documents confirming your identity (e.g., passport or UK birth certificate)
- A passport-sized photograph
Once submitted, your updated licence should arrive within three weeks. If it doesn’t, contact the DVLA.
Changing your vehicle log book (V5C)
Once your address is updated on your driving licence, you must also update the address on your vehicle log book to avoid a fine. If the DVLA has the wrong address, you may miss your vehicle tax reminder letter or any tax refunds.
How to update your log book:
To update your address, simply fill in the relevant section of your V5C log book:
- For the new style log book (with multi-coloured number blocks), fill in section 3.
- For the old style log book, fill in section 6.
Once completed, send your log book to:
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BA
If you’ve changed your name, you can update it along with your address.
Lost your log book?
If you’ve lost your log book, you can apply for a replacement by filling out form V62. Send this to the DVLA with a £25 fee:
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1DD
Your new log book should arrive within six weeks.
Updating your Direct Debit for vehicle tax
If you pay for vehicle tax by Direct Debit, don’t forget to update your address. It’s easy—just call the DVLA:
DVLA vehicle tax enquiries
Phone: 0300 790 6802
Monday to Friday: 8am to 7pm
Saturday: 8am to 2pm
And there you have it! Now you know how to update your details with the DVLA when you change address. Don’t forget to keep your information current to avoid fines and complications down the line!