Change the address on your driving licence

Printable version

1. Apply online

Change the address on either:

  • your full driving licence
  • your provisional driving licence

It does not cost anything to change your address with DVLA.

You can still drive while you’re waiting for your new licence.

If you want to change your name at the same time, you’ll have to apply by post.

You must also:

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA when your address changes.

This page is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Start now

Before you start

You need:

  • your driving licence
  • to be a resident of Great Britain - there’s a different process in Northern Ireland
  • to give the addresses you’ve lived at in the last 3 years
  • to not be banned from driving

Provide your driving licence number, National Insurance number and passport number if you know them.

If you want to change your photo at the same time

If your licence is valid for at least 2 more years, you’ll have to renew it to change your photo.

If it’s valid for less than 2 years, you can change your photo when you update your address.

You can either:

  • choose to use the same photo as your passport
  • send a recent passport-style photo - you’ll get a letter telling you how to send it after you’ve used the online service

It costs £14. You can pay by MasterCard, Visa, Electron or Delta debit or credit card. There’s no fee if you’re over 70 or have a medical short period licence.

If you’re moving abroad

You cannot register your new address on your British driving licence. Contact the driving licence authority in your new country of residence.

What happens next

You’ll get a confirmation email from DVLA after you’ve applied. You might be asked to take part in research by email, but you can opt out.

2. Apply by post

You can also change the address on your licence by post. The process is different depending on whether you have a photocard or paper driving licence.

Your driving licence will usually arrive within 3 weeks. It might take longer if DVLA needs to check your identity or medical details. Contact DVLA if it has not arrived within 3 weeks.

You must also:

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA when your address changes.

Photocard driving licence

Complete the ‘changes’ section on letter D741 that came with your licence.

Then send both your photocard driving licence and the letter to DVLA.

DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BN

If you do not have your D741, use licence application form D1 for cars or motorcycles or D2 for lorries and buses - you can get them from most Post Offices.

If you want to change your photo at the same time, fill in a D1 ‘application for a driving licence’, available at most Post Offices. You’ll also need to send:

  • a recent passport-style photo
  • a cheque or postal order for £17, payable to DVLA (there’s no fee if you’re over 70 or have a medical short period licence)

Damaged or altered cheques will not be accepted.

If you want to change your name at the same time, fill in a D1 ‘application for a driving licence’, available at most Post Offices.

You’ll also need to send original documents in your new name.

Paper driving licence

Send the following to DVLA:

  • a completed form D1 ‘Application for a driving licence’ for car and motorbike licences, or a completed form D2 ‘Application for a lorry/bus licence’ for lorry and bus licences, both available at most Post Offices
  • your driving licence
  • original documents confirming your identity
  • a passport photograph