If you’re moving home, updating your driving licence address is one of the essential tasks to cross off your to-do list. If you don’t keep your driving licence up to date, you could be fined up to £1000!
Luckily, the process of updating your address with the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) online is very simple. Here’s how to change the address on your driving licence.
- Check you’re eligible to change your address online. You must be a resident of Great Britain and legally allowed to drive.
- Gather the relevant documents. You’ll need your old licence and three years of address history.
- Visit the DVLA website. This link will take you to the page where you can update your address details.
- Provide your new address. Once you’ve confirmed your identity you’ll be able to update your driving licence address.
- Wait for your new licence. Your updated licence will come by post within a week- and you can keep using your old licence till then.
- Return your old licence. Once your new licence arrives, you must send the old copy back to the DVLA.
You can read the full directions updating your driving licence address online here.
Can I update my name and photo at the same time as changing my driving licence address?
You can update your photo at the same time as your address, provided your licence expires within two years. Otherwise, you’ll have to renew your licence to change the photo.
Updating your licence photo costs £14. You can either use the same photo as your passport or provide a recent passport-style photo. If you do update your photo your new licence will take longer to be delivered.
You cannot change the name on your driving licence online. If you need to update the name on your licence you must apply by post. You can provide the new details using a D741 and either D1 or D2 form pack, which you can download here.
If you’re changing the name on the licence you’ll also need to provide original copies of the document relevant to the name change. This could be a marriage certificate, divorce decree, certificate of legal name change or other legal document.
The full instructions for how to update your driving licence address by post are here.
What documents do I need to send to DVLA to change my address?
If you’re applying online, you won’t need to provide any documents unless you’re also updating your photo. In that case, you’ll be given instructions for posting your new photo directly to the DVLA.
There are different requirements if you’re applying by post or updating the name on your licence – check the section above for more details.
How much does a driving licence address change cost?
It’s free to update your driving licence address with the DVLA.
However, there will be a £14 charge if you choose to change your photo at the same time.
How long does a DVLA change of address take?
It can take around a week for your new licence to be delivered – longer if you choose to change your photo.
If you update your licence by post, it may take up to three weeks for your new licence to arrive.
The good news is you can continue to use your old licence while you wait.
Do the DVLA need my old licence to change my address?
You will need to have your old licence to hand to change your address, but you do not have to send it to the DVLA until your new licence arrives. Then, you will be given instructions for returning your old licence.
If you don’t return your old licence you can be fined up to £1000.
Can you change the address on a provisional driving licence?
You can change the address on a provisional licence online using the same process as a full licence.
Read more about what to do when you move home:
