Have you recently moved house? Wondering how to change your address on your driving licence? You’re in the right place.
While dealing with utilities, council tax, and broadband might feature near the top of your to-do list when you move house, make sure you don’t overlook your driving licence!
It’s equally as important to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) that you’ve changed your address — and ideally, you should do it as soon as possible.
The good news is that you can update your address quickly and easily online or by post. Here, we take you through how to change your driving licence address, step by step, why it matters, and what can happen if you don’t do it on time.
How do I change my address on my driving licence?
Can I change my DVLA address online?
Yes. The quickest and easiest way to change the address on your driving licence is to do it online. Here’s how:
- First, visit the DVLA’s change address webpage and click “Start now”. You’ll then be redirected to an online form. (Note, if you live in Northern Ireland, you’ll need to use a different site.)
- When the form opens, you’ll be asked to enter your name, gender, date of birth, and country of birth. Click “Next” once you’ve done this.
- You’ll then be asked for your driving licence number and the addresses you’ve lived at over the last three years, including your new address.
- Finally, you’ll be asked to provide your National Insurance number and your passport number, if you know them.
- Once you’ve completed the form, you’ll receive a confirmation email from the DVLA. Your updated driving licence should arrive through the post within seven working days. The good news is that you can still drive while you’re waiting for your new licence.
Can I change my DVLA address via the post?
Yes, in addition to changing your address online, you can also do it via the post, although it can take around three weeks to get it sorted this way. If you’re in a hurry, it’s almost always quicker to update your address online with the DVLA.
If you want to change the address on your photocard driving licence via the post, here’s how to do it:
- Complete the “Changes” section on the D741 form that came with your licence and post it back to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BN.
- Alternatively, get the D1 “Application for a driving licence” form from your local Post Office, fill in your details, and post it to the DVLA.
If you still have an old-style paper licence, you’ll have to update it to a photocard licence at the same time when you change your address.
To do this, you’ll need to send the following to the DVLA:
- A completed D1 form, including your nine-digit passport number (don’t send your physical passport as proof of ID)
- Your current driving licence
- A passport photograph of yourself
- Original documents confirming your identity if you don’t have a UK passport
How much does it cost to change the address on a DVLA driving licence?
There’s no charge for updating the address on your driving licence. Whether you do it online or by post, it’s completely free.
However, if you want to change your photo at the same time, you’ll have to part with some cash. If your licence is valid for less than two years, you can change your photo when you update your address. You can either:
- Choose the same photo as your passport, or
- Send a recent passport-style photo to the DVLA
It costs £14 to change your photo online (or £17 if you’re applying by post). You can pay by MasterCard, Visa, Electron, or Delta debit or credit card. You’ll get a letter explaining how to send your photo after you’ve used the online service.
Note: If your licence is valid for more than two years, you’ll need to renew your licence to change the photo.
How to change the address on a provisional driving licence
There are no extra steps if you want to update the address on your provisional driving licence. Simply follow the instructions above. Just like with a full driving licence, you can change the address on your provisional licence as a learner driver online or via the post.
Why do I need to update my driving licence address when I move?
There are a few reasons why you need to update your driving licence when you move house:
- It’s a legal requirement: Your driving licence is a legal document, and it’s your responsibility to keep it up to date. If you don’t, you could face a hefty penalty. According to gov.uk, you can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell the DVLA when your address changes.
- You could miss important letters about your car: The DVLA needs to hold accurate contact information about you to send important correspondence, including tax and licence renewal reminders, MOT notices, and vehicle tax refunds.
- Your information could fall into the wrong hands: If your letters are posted to an old address, you won’t know who potentially has access to your personal information. This could increase the risk of identity theft and fraud.
- If you lose your licence, you might not get it back: If someone finds your licence and it’s registered to an old address, chances are you won’t see it again, and you’ll have to send off for a new one.
Do I need to update my driving licence if I move to a temporary address?
No. You don’t need to tell the DVLA if you move address temporarily (for example, if you live elsewhere during term time at university). As long as you can access your mail at your permanent home address, you can keep it as your registered address with the DVLA.
What else should I update for my car when I move house?
When you update the address on your driver’s licence, it won’t automatically change your car’s registration address on your V5C logbook or your road tax direct debit. You’ll need to do these separately.
- You can update your car’s registration online or via the post. You’ll need your car’s number plate and the V5C’s document reference number.
- Your monthly road tax direct debit can also be updated online, by post, or over the phone. Find out how to contact the DVLA here.
Finally, in addition to the above, you’ll need to remember to update your address with your car insurance provider. If you get into an accident and the address on your licence doesn’t match the one held by your insurer, it could delay your claim.
In summary: How do I change my address on my photocard driving licence?
To recap, the easiest way to change the address on your driving licence is to do it online. Simply visit the DVLA’s dedicated website, follow the instructions, and wait seven working days to receive your new licence. It won’t cost you a penny, and you can still drive while you’re waiting for your address to be updated.
Alternatively, you can update your licence by post. You’ll need to complete either the D741 form that came with your licence or the D1 form (which you’ll find at your local Post Office) and send it back to the DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BN.
Remember: Your driving licence is a legal document and it’s your responsibility to keep it up to date. If you fail to do so, you could face a fine of up to £1,000.
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