Driving & Transport

Keeping your British driving licence up-to-date is essential for the following reasons:

• Legal Obligations: You must have your current permanent address reflected on your driving licence, whether for personal vehicles or lorry and bus licences. Non-compliance or oversight to inform the DVLA of an address change can result in hefty fines. Specifically, you could be liable for a penalty of up to £1,000. Taking a few moments to update your driving licence online can prevent these significant, avoidable financial repercussions.
• Communication: A correctly changed address on your driving licence is the cornerstone of effective communication between the DVLA and licence holders. By ensuring your details are current, you guarantee that you won't miss out on crucial correspondence. This includes essential notifications, legislative changes, renewal reminders, and other pertinent updates on which every driver should be kept up-to-date. An updated new address paves the way for uninterrupted, vital communication streams with the DVLA.
• Insurance Concerns: : Your address is pivotal in shaping your car insurance premiums. Insurance companies factor in your location to assess risk and determine coverage costs. Failing to update your new address could lead the insurer to rely on obsolete data, which might skew the pricing. In accidents or claims, non-updated addresses could lead to a claim denial, as it might be perceived as a breach of the policy's terms.

Update Driving Licence Address:

You can always use our quick service to update your driving licence address and ensure your information is accurate and up to date.

Navigating the process of updating the address may seem overwhelming. Our streamlined process of changing your address on your driving licence address online and the UK's DVLA options make it easy to complete the task.

Here's a more in-depth look:

1. Using Our Online Service

   For those wanting thorough support when changing their driving licence to a new address, our streamlined process offers added convenience for users:

   • User-Friendly Interface: Our website has designed its interface to be intuitive, guiding users step-by-step through the new address change process, which can be particularly helpful for those who find official government websites daunting. We make it easy to add your driving licence number, national insurance number and other relevant requirements to inform the DVLA when you change your address.
   • Guided Support: You can access additional support, including our FAQs, email and phone assistance to address users' concerns during the update process.
   • Security: Our service ensures your personal information is protected throughout every step of changing the address on your driving licence.
   • Prompt Confirmation: Upon successfully completing the update, you will usually receive an email confirmation, providing you with a digital submission record.


Change Your Address Now


2. DVLA Online Portal

   For those who prefer paperless transactions, the DVLA’s dedicated online portal is the go-to choice. It’s user-friendly and designed to facilitate quick updates:

   • Ease of Access: The online platform is intuitively structured, making it easy even for those who aren't tech-savvy.
   • Security: The DVLA's online form prioritises user security, protecting your personal information.
   • Comprehensive Service: This online service extends beyond updating your address on your driving licence to other DVLA-related address change needs, ensuring a one-stop solution for users.
   • Prompt Confirmation: Once you've successfully made the update, you'll typically receive an email confirmation, allowing you to keep a digital record of your submission.
3. DVLA Postal Service

   Understanding that not everyone is inclined to use digital means, the DVLA continues to offer the traditional postal method for photocard driving licence address updates:

   • Tangible Submission: Some people are more comfortable sending physical documents. This method allows for tangibility, providing a sense of familiarity and trust.
   • Detailed Guidance: Comprehensive guidelines are included with the necessary forms to ensure you accurately provide all the needed information, including supporting documents.
   • Turnaround Time: While updating the address on your driving licence via post is inherently slower than the digital method due to postal transit times, the DVLA processes received updates efficiently, ensuring your licence is updated promptly once they receive your information.
   
   

   Whether you're digitally inclined or prefer traditional methods, we can ensure updating your driving licence details is a hassle-free process tailored to your comfort and convenience.

In an era where digital and card formats have become the norm, a segment of the population still holds a paper driving licence. If you fall into this category, the procedure to change the address varies somewhat from the standard process:

1. Transition to Photocard Licences:
   • The DVLA has phased out paper licences, making the photocard format the standard. Therefore, changing your address is also an opportunity to upgrade to this more contemporary format.
   • You must apply for a new photocard licence, replacing your paper version.
2. Documentation and Proof:
   • Along with your paper driving licence, you must have specific documentation to validate your new address. Typically, these might include utility bills, council tax statements, or other official documents corroborating your residence.
   • It's essential to ensure that all documents are current and, in your name, to prevent delays or complications.
3. Receiving the New Photocard:
   • After processing your application and verifying the details, the DVLA will dispatch your new photocard driving licence to your updated address. This card will be your primary driving licence moving forward.

Timeframe for Receiving your Updated Driving Licence

Once you've initiated the process for changing the address on your driving licence, it's natural to wonder how long it will take to receive the updated version. DVLA has a standard timeframe for this.

Standard Processing Time

Typically, the DVLA dispatches the new licence to applicants within 1 to 3 weeks after submitting the address change request.

In the UK, when you're waiting on a new and updated licence from the driving licence authority, you might wonder if you can still legally drive while waiting for the updated licence to arrive.
Here's what you need to know:

1. Temporary Entitlement to Drive: As long as you've submitted a proper application to the DVLA (a renewal, address change, new driving licence number or any other amendment), you can typically continue driving while you wait for your new card. This is because your entitlement to drive is generally not based on the physical possession of the photocard licence but on the DVLA's official record.
2. Conditions for Continuing to Drive:
   • Your application for a new driving licence must be completed and correctly submitted to the DVLA.
   • You can drive if you have not been told by a doctor or other medical professional that you should not drive.
   • You must only drive under the conditions of your previous licence until the new one arrives, e.g. If you hold a medical short-period licence, provisional licence holder or learner driver, these still apply.
   • If the driving licence expiry date is because of age (i.e., reaching 70 or a 3-year renewal after 70), you can still drive while waiting for a renewal as long as you meet the medical and other standards required for driving.
3. Duration: If you're only waiting for a replacement licence (e.g., due to loss, theft, or change of details), you can continue to drive for as long as it takes to receive your new licence.
4. Advice:
   • Always submit any necessary applications promptly and well before the expiry date.
   • If stopped by the police, explain that you're awaiting your physical licence from the DVLA and have submitted all necessary paperwork. They can verify your driving entitlement directly with the DVLA to see that your records up-to-date.
   • Carry any acknowledgement or proof of your application (like a receipt or confirmation email) when driving, just in case.

It's important to note that these guidelines are general and may be subject to change. For the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding driving with a pending licence update, contact the DVLA directly or refer to their official website.

Change My Address on My Licence:

Follow the online steps to change your address on your licence and ensure that your personal information is updated accurately.

Q: Can I replace my card if it is lost or stolen?

A: Yes. Photocard driving licence holders must apply for a new licence; here's how:

1. Report to the Police: If you believe your driving licence has been stolen, you should report it to the police to protect against potential misuse or identity theft.
2. Online Application: The quickest way to replace a lost or stolen driving licence is by using our online services. After filling out the necessary details and making the payment, the DVLA will send the replacement licence to your registered permanent home address.
3. Driving While Waiting: As long as you meet certain conditions, you can continue to drive while waiting for your replacement licence.

Q: How do I change my address on my car tax UK?

A: In the UK, if you need to change your address associated with your car tax (officially known as vehicle tax or road tax), you'll primarily be updating your vehicle log book (V5C) details. Once the address on the V5C is updated, the DVLA will automatically update the address associated with your vehicle tax. If you prefer the online method, use our online service.

Q: Can DVLA Change Address simplify the process of changing my address?

A: Yes, we make it easy for people to change their address regardless of whether they're full driving licence holders, provisional licence holders or are on a medical short-period licence. Try our service and discover how.