Advice
How to change your address on a driving licence through DVLA
Changing the address on your driving licence is free and easy. Find out how to update your address online and by post.
Words by: Nimisha Jain
Last updated on 22 August 2023 | 0 min read
If your address has changed, you need to inform the DVLA as soon as possible. Once the DVLA know your new address, they can update your records like your driving licence and logbook with the new address.
Keeping your information up to date is necessary as you can be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t tell DVLA about your new address. The process for changing your address is the same for both full and provisional driving licences.
Keeping your information up to date is necessary as you can be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t tell DVLA about your new address. The process for changing your address is the same for both full and provisional driving licences.
Changing address on driving licence
Applying online to change your address on your licence
You will need your driving licence, National Insurance number and UK passport number to apply online.
You can apply online here (external website). To apply online: Step 1: Visit DVLA’s page where you can change your personal details Step 2: Fill in your basic details: Title, Name, Gender, Date of Birth and country of birth Step 3: Provide your new address and how long you’ve lived there Step 4: Provide the addresses of where you’ve lived in the past three years Step 5: Fill in your 16-character driver number – you can find this on your driving licence under the expiry date Step 6: Fill in your security details; these are basic questions about you such as your birth surname and place of birth help the DVLA confirm your identity Step 7: Provide your National Insurance number, if you have one Step 8: Fill in your UK passport number, if you have one Step 9: Provide your two-digit licence issue number and your 10- or 12-digit number on the bottom of the back of your photocard licence Step 10: You will get the option to renew your licence which you can skip if you just want to change your address. You will also be asked if you’re disqualified from driving and then given the option to register for organ donation which, again, you can skip if you just want to change your address for now Step 11: Fill in your email address Step 12: Check your details before submitting the application And then you’re ready to submit and complete your application! DVLA usually posts your new driving licence within two weeks after you’ve submitted the application.
You can apply online here (external website). To apply online: Step 1: Visit DVLA’s page where you can change your personal details Step 2: Fill in your basic details: Title, Name, Gender, Date of Birth and country of birth Step 3: Provide your new address and how long you’ve lived there Step 4: Provide the addresses of where you’ve lived in the past three years Step 5: Fill in your 16-character driver number – you can find this on your driving licence under the expiry date Step 6: Fill in your security details; these are basic questions about you such as your birth surname and place of birth help the DVLA confirm your identity Step 7: Provide your National Insurance number, if you have one Step 8: Fill in your UK passport number, if you have one Step 9: Provide your two-digit licence issue number and your 10- or 12-digit number on the bottom of the back of your photocard licence Step 10: You will get the option to renew your licence which you can skip if you just want to change your address. You will also be asked if you’re disqualified from driving and then given the option to register for organ donation which, again, you can skip if you just want to change your address for now Step 11: Fill in your email address Step 12: Check your details before submitting the application And then you’re ready to submit and complete your application! DVLA usually posts your new driving licence within two weeks after you’ve submitted the application.
Applying by post to change your address on your licence
You can also change the address on your licence by post. The process for changing your address by post will depend on whether you have a photocard driving licence or a paper licence.
If you have a photocard driving licence: Fill out the D741 form that came with your photocard licence when you got it from the DVLA. In case you’ve lost this form, you can get a D1 form (for cars or motorcycles) online or from the Post Office. If you drive a bus or lorry, you’ll need a D2 form. The D1 form contains four sections: 1. Your basic details like name and address 2. Questions related to your eyesight 3. Details about your current licence like the start date 4. Details about your previous licence Remember to fill the form in block capitals using black ink. If you have a paper driving licence: Fill out the D1 or D2 form – whichever is applicable to you – and send it to the DVLA, along with your paper driving licence, original documents such as your UK passport to verify your identity and a passport photograph. Once you’ve gathered all the documents, post it to DVLA at: DVLA Swansea SA99 1BN You can expect to get your new driving licence usually within three weeks after posting the application. Bear in mind, if your address has changed, you’ll need to update your address on your driving licence and log book (V5C), along with your vehicle tax direct debit and personalised number plate documents (V750 or V778), if any.
If you have a photocard driving licence: Fill out the D741 form that came with your photocard licence when you got it from the DVLA. In case you’ve lost this form, you can get a D1 form (for cars or motorcycles) online or from the Post Office. If you drive a bus or lorry, you’ll need a D2 form. The D1 form contains four sections: 1. Your basic details like name and address 2. Questions related to your eyesight 3. Details about your current licence like the start date 4. Details about your previous licence Remember to fill the form in block capitals using black ink. If you have a paper driving licence: Fill out the D1 or D2 form – whichever is applicable to you – and send it to the DVLA, along with your paper driving licence, original documents such as your UK passport to verify your identity and a passport photograph. Once you’ve gathered all the documents, post it to DVLA at: DVLA Swansea SA99 1BN You can expect to get your new driving licence usually within three weeks after posting the application. Bear in mind, if your address has changed, you’ll need to update your address on your driving licence and log book (V5C), along with your vehicle tax direct debit and personalised number plate documents (V750 or V778), if any.
Remember: it is important that your details are up-to-date on your driving licence to avoid any fines.
You also need your driving licence to legally drive and it's an important piece of document that is checked when buying or selling a car. Related: • How to access DVLA online services • DVLA licence check code - sharing your driving records
You also need your driving licence to legally drive and it's an important piece of document that is checked when buying or selling a car. Related: • How to access DVLA online services • DVLA licence check code - sharing your driving records