Updating car insurance and driving licence

Key takeaways

• When you change your address, inform the DVLA immediately

• There is no need to inform DVLA of temporary moves (e.g., moving to university) if you can be reached at your permanent address

• After changing your address you will need to update your driving licence, log book, direct debit for vehicle tax, personalised number plate documents, and trailer registration certificate

• It usually takes around 3 weeks to receive your new drivers licence, if it takes longer contact DVLA

When should I change my address after I have moved? 

When you change address, you need to inform DVLA as soon as possible. You can still drive while you're waiting for your new licence to arrive, but it's important to keep your old licence safe until you receive the new one. You do not need to tell DVLA or log for a change of address if you are moving away temporarily (e.g., moving to halls or a flat for university), as long as you can be reached at your permanent address.  You also need to update your vehicle log book (V5C) and vehicle tax as well.    

How do I change my address on my driving licence? 

There are two ways you can change your address on your licence: 

1. Online 
   You can change your address on your licence on the Government website run by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), there is a separate website for those who live in Northern Ireland.  
    
   Here is a list of steps you will need to complete to change your address on your driving licence online: 

   • You need to enter your personal details including your name, gender and date of birth. 

   • After this you will need to put in your driving licence on your existing licence as well as your previous address that you have lived at for the past three years  

   • You will also need your National Insurance Number and your passport number  

2. By post   
   You can also change the address on your licence by post. This process is different depending on whether you have a paper driving licence or a photocard. The government website will give you step by step instructions on how to carry out an address change by post. 

You will not be charged to change your address with DVLA. However, if you do not tell DVLA when your address change you can be fined up £1,000.   

How long will it take to get a new licence with my updated address? 

Your driving licence will usually take around 3 weeks to arrive. It could potentially take longer if DVLA needs to verify some details. If you are waiting longer than 3 weeks, you should contact DVLA.   

When do I need to notify the DVLA and my car insurance provider of a change of address?   

You do not need to inform DVLA of a temporary address change, this includes moving away for university. As long as you can be contacted through the address already on your licence or where your car is registered, you will not be required to change the address on your documents.    

Where else do I need to change my address?  

There are a list of areas you will need to update your change of address after you have moved including:   

1. Update your driving licence  
   It is a legal requirement to update your provisional or full drivers licence as soon as you move address.  

2. Update your log book  
   If you are the registered keep of your vehicle, is it mandatory to update the log book. 

3. Update your direct debit  
   If you pay your vehicle tax by Direct Debit, you are required to tell DVLA when you change address.  

4. Update your personalised number plate documents  
   When you change address, and have a private reg, your V750  or V778 documents will need to be updated.  

5. Update your trailer registration certificate  

What other changes should my car insurance provider and the DVLA know about?  

There are a few instances that DVLA must be aware of including:  

• Change of name  

• Selling or scraping your car  

• Change of address 

• Loss or theft of your driving licence or V5C  

• Medical conditions that could affect your driving  

Your insurance provider will need to know of the following changes:  

• Adding or removing a named driver  

• Change in your car usage or registered address 

• Changes in your driving licence including acquiring penalty points  

• Modifications to your car (failure to disclose these could invalidate your insurance)  

• Medical conditions